West Midlands

Budding social entrepreneurs offer inspiration to young unemployed

 In the run up to Social Enterprise Day (17 November), Birmingham based social firm Citizen Coaching is celebrating the achievements of two employees, hoping to inspire thousands of young people looking for work or across the country.

With youth unemployment figures at their worst in nearly 20 years, Nate Sheridan, 25, and James Farrell, 23, were taken on by Citizen Coaching in 2009, both having been unemployed for more than six months.

Nate graduated from university with a Sound Engineering and Music Production degree in 2008, hoping to secure work in a recording studio. After several temporary positions, he eventually joined the increasing number of other young claimants struggling to even get an interview.

Coming to a region near you - NOMS regional tour

Thursday 12th May 2011 - Wednesday 22nd June 2011
Organiser: NOMS

 In conjunction with Concilium and the regional social enterprise networks NOMS are organising a series of events designed to encourage and facilitate dialogue between NOMS and the sector.

Each event will aim to produce a clear action plan that will seek to ensure that social enterprise has a strong voice within NOMS and a clear way in which to engage.

NOMS want to encourage as much participation as possible from the sector and see this as just the start. We want diversity in size, focus and history – even if you are a new and developing enterprise, please get involved.

Unleashing Value: Connecting Social Enterprise and Public Services

Friday 25th March 2011, 9:30am - 1:00pm
Organiser: More than Outputs (External Funding Matters) - funded by Capacitybuilders

 A half day conference where social enterprises, value and public services connect!

Hear from social enterprises leading the way in evidencing their impact and value, and the implications for the public sector Discover innovations in commissioning practice Debate the new Public Services White Paper, with our keynote speaker from the Cabinet Office. This conference is the culmination of a two year project - Adding Value Winning Contracts - funded by Capacitybuilders and delivered by More than Outputs (EFM Ltd). The project has worked with over 120 social enterprises across the West Midlands on selling to the public sector and demonstrating value using Social Return on Investment.

The event will showcase good practice using case study examples and look at how commissioners and social enterprises can take more account of value, and how to make better connections between social enterprise and the public sector.

Case study: Concept Conferences (March 2011 updated)

 In the beginning
Concept Conference Centre in Birmingham provides employment and training opportunities to blind and partially sighted people, within a hospitality and catering setting.

Concept started as a Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) research project into the feasibility of developing employment opportunities for blind and partially sighted people. Deborah Fox from the RNIB was looking into the social enterprise/Social Firm model and met Jo Miller, a registered blind chef working at a local college. The idea for Concept came out of a barely-used staff kitchen area in the basement of RNIB’s offices in Birmingham. In January 2006 they opened Concept to provide low-cost, flexible room and meal options for day delegates, primarily from Third Sector organisations.

Involving Volunteers

Wednesday 13th October 2010, 10:30am - 3:30pm
Organiser: Clinks

 Free training course about recruiting, managing & supervising volunteers. For small organisations looking to provide volunteering and mentoring of a high quality. Organised by Clinks and delivered by SOVA.

Ministry of Justice Funding Opps

 NOMS.jpg

The MoJ's National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has announced two new funding opportunities (each totalling £200k) for social enterprises in England to develop creative approaches to service delivery.

If you could deliver a supervision model incorporating skills and employability training in a work environment or could create training and work opportunities within the sustainable/green sector, then check out the full details and click here.

 

Social Firms of the Year

The European Social Firms of the Year Awards, which took place during the Social Firms UK and Social Firms Europe CEFEC annual conference, celebrated some of the fantastic work taking place across Europe was showcased and celebrated in style.  Those winners in full:-

 

Brimfield Consultants Ltd

Independent consultant currently working as the West Midlands Regional Employment Lead for the Valuing People Team.

Will undertake any work linked with social care.

Specialist areas include:

Employment and Learning Disabilities, transformation of Learning Disability services, investigating complex complaints or grievances, conflict resolution, knowledge and senior management experience within local authority and third sector, experience of establishing services overseas, and working in adults and children's services. 

Contact: 
Roger Painter
Telephone Number: 
01584 711174
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Textiles by St Anne's celebrate

Pat Bend, Sales Manager at the Birmingham based Social Firm, Textiles by St Anne's, is celebrating an order from an International curtain company which she puts down to the Future Jobs Fund. Six of the employees are financed by the government initiative and the increased workforce gave Pat the opportunity to bid for larger contracts. Pat believes the hires also bring a positive work ethic and new skills base which their service users with mental health problems can aspire to.

Recycling Links

 

Please email or call 01737 231 363

Contact: 
A Watkins
Telephone Number: 
01922 720714
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