Fightback Britain! - A Social Enterprise Fightback Hull and Holderness?

FIGHTBACK BRITAIN, published this month, documents the largest analysis of the social enterprise sector in the UK. It has revealed that a new breed of younger social entrepreneurs are starting businesses in the country's most deprived communities. These social businesses are tackling deprivation and social problems whilst becoming accountable to their customers, involving them in decision-making.

The report published by Social Enterprise UK and supported by the Co-operative Bank details that three times as many social enterprises as mainstream businesses are operating in the UK’s poorest areas (39% compared to 13%) – where a third of all social enterprise start-ups have originated.

In what is termed as "The start-up explosion", the report states that 14% of all social enterprises are start-ups, less than two years old – which is more than three times the proportion of start ups among mainstream small businesses. The recession, rather than putting people off this form of enterprise, is acting as a catalyst. Fightback Britain says:

"The UK’s economic woes have hot-housed the need for a business model that delivers sustainable economic growth while fostering social change and innovation. Damage to the reputation of important parts of the UK economy in the wake of the financial crisis, cuts to public services, and concern for how civil society can suffer cuts and continue to care for its most vulnerable members, have brought social enterprise to the fore."

Hull and Holderness could be on the verge of its own enterprise revolution - the ingredients are all there:

• The recent announcements about the Enterprise Zone and the KC Invest fund; 
• a recession-hit population in which deprivation and social problems have been highlighted; 
• mass unemployment and the threat of unemployment convincing would-be entrepreneurs that now just might be the time to try something different.

Social Enterprise - and support for social enterprise - now needs to be factored into this mix!

You can download the Fightback Britain report for free from the Social Enterprise UK website.

Read more...

Village SOS - Support for your village community enterprise!

VILLAGE SOS is a new campaign that has been launched to help people in rural communities tackle the trend of decline by helping them set up and run community enterprises.

The campaign, financed by the Big Lottery Fund, will see a national advice line and expert support rolled out to rural communities that are starting a community business.

The campaign was launched on Wednesday 10th August as part of a new six-part television series from BBC One. The Active campaign will see expert advisers provide support and guidance to people who have been inspired by series to set up and run their own community enterprises; e.g. shops, pubs, libraries, broadband services and community transport.

Find out more at the website www.villagesos.org.uk which includes details of the Advice Line which will be open 24-hours-a-day and signpost you to business advisers that can help with issues such as legal structures, funding streams or marketing your enterprise.

To access resources and help through Village SOS you have to become a member - membership is free and takes 2 - 5 minutes to join online via the website.

Find out more about Village SOS via the BBC trailer:



Source: Locality

Read more...

Make a Job, Don't Take a Job! - Global Entrepreneurship Week

IT'S GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK this week. The key message coming from the promoters is the call to individuals to Make a Job, Don't Take a Job!

Peter Jones, of Dragon's Den fame has said that the week is vital in helping to inspire thousands of people to pursue their ideas and dreams. He says on the Global Entrepreneurship Week website that "Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made. Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be taught just like any other". 

Of particular interest is the week's 'Myth Busting' campaign. The typical entrepreneur is not your Richard Branson or Alan Sugar, but is more likely to be a woman - and a young woman at that. (Bullet points via GEW website).

• The rate of female entrepreneurship in the UK has risen by 15% in the past decade, male entrepreneurship has stayed the same.
• Level of youth entrepreneurship (aged 18-34) have risen by 20% in the last decade.

Also, Entrepreneurship is not necessarily just about making money. Many now start social enterprises to tackle social and environmental problems and to "make a difference".

• 64% of entrepreneurs think that entrepreneurs have a key role to play in addressing global issues such as climate change and poverty.

New entrepreneurs are as likely to start their business from home as from other premises. Working from home can not only cut costs, but open up new more flexible ways of working that might suit those with families and other daily commitments.

Global Entrepreneurship Week hopes to inspire a change in how people approach the world of work. Talk about an 'entrepreneurial revolution' might seem a little ambitious - but the week has identified some support and funding available to help.

Find out more: A report is available to download from Make a Job, Don't take a Job. Locally see the Youth Enterprise Hull website.

Read more...