Sponsors' Profiles
Principal sponsor:
The Welsh Assembly Government has reinforced its commitment to the social enterprise sector in The Social Enterprise Action Plan, launched February 2009.
The Action Plan builds on past successes and sets new challenges. It is clear in that it wishes to increase the number, scale, knowledge of and impact of social enterprises in Wales.
All Welsh Assembly Government departments and the wider public sector are challenged to identify opportunities for social enterprises to compete to deliver public services - and as a result deliver other benefits such as local wealth creation, reduced economic inactivity and increased community regeneration in inclusive and sustainable ways.
The Voice 10 conference is a key step in increasing awareness of social enterprise in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government is pleased to be the principal sponsor of the VOICE 10 conference and bring it, for the first time, to Wales. This prestigious event will provide inspiration and practical solutions to many from the sector and to those who wish to learn more about the sector.
Sponsored by:
The Social Enterprise Unit (SEU) supports social enterprises in health and social care. It has invested in more than 200 social enterprises through its Pathfinder programme and the £100m Social Enterprise Investment Fund, which provides business advice and financial assistance to new and established social enterprises.
Primary Care Trust (PCT) staff now have the "right to request" to set up social enterprises to deliver local services. PCT boards are obliged to consider such requests and, if approved, support the development of the social enterprise. A ‘how to' guide to the "right to request" and information on funding and support for social enterprises can be found on our website www.dh.gov.uk/socialenterprise.
The Community Banking Team at RBS and NatWest plays an active part
in making and supporting the Social Enterprise market, which is now
playing an increasingly important part in helping to drive the UK
economy.
Our team understand the unique needs and challenges social enterprises face, and ensure they have access to the advice and guidance they need to develop. Over the past 10 years we have offered financial solutions and support to a wide and diverse range of third sector businesses.
This experience has enabled the Bank to become the market leader in this sector, and we have now appointed over 100 locally-based Business Managers throughout the UK, whose remit includes serving the needs of social enterprises.
We are proud to be supporting the highly acclaimed Voice conference, which is now in its 6th year. We hope you will benefit from the knowledge on offer and we look forward to meeting you over the course of the event.
In association with:
Profile to follow
As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector (voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals), enabling the sector to campaign for change, deliver public services, promote social enterprise and strengthen communities. The OTS was created at the centre of government in May 2006 in recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy.
We would all like to be part of a safe, prosperous and healthy
community. A community where everyone has the right to the same
opportunities, freedom and respect. Somewhere we can be proud of.
Communities and Local Government is working hard to create thriving, sustainable, vibrant communities that improve everyone's quality of life. We take a strategic lead across government on: better homes and neighbourhoods; strong and accountable local government and leadership; better local services and environment; regeneration and investment in our towns, cities and regions; in order to create safe, tolerant and inclusive communities.
Website: www.communities.gov.uk Hotline: 030 444 0000
Supported by:
BWB is recognised as one of the leading charity and social enterprise law practices in the UK. We advise a range of clients, including a large number of social enterprises, on commercial, charity, employment, immigration, intellectual property, dispute resolution and property matters. We have particular expertise in advising charities and social enterprises on matters related to health, education, the arts and the environment. With 160 staff and partners, we are large enough to provide a complete range of commercial services, but small enough to provide a personal service to every client.
For more information, please visit our stand at Voice10 or our website www.bwbllp.com
Charity Bank is a bank and a charity. Charity Bank offers bespoke loan finance solutions, up to £2 million to social enterprises, charities or organisations with a charitable purpose.
It is uniquely placed to help. As a bank, it offers affordable finance to organisations that might not be able to borrow from commercial lenders, and which could otherwise struggle to survive. And as a charity, it understands the sector, and the importance of having access to the resources or skills required for a more secure future.
The Co-operative Group is proud to be investing £4 million over the next three years to support the creation and growth of sustainable co-operative businesses. Through The Co-operative Enterprise hub we offer free, easy and relevant support for co-operatives. An advice & training service provides support to new and existing co-operative enterprises, delivered - on behalf of The Co-operative Group - by regional consortia of co-operative development professionals. Interested parties can apply for up to four days support which may include:
- Preparing to start a co-operative
- In first year of trading
- Experiencing rapid growth
- Needing to move premises
- Needing to buy equipment
- Planning to develop a new product, service or market
- Wanting to change their management or structure
Post advice & training, co-operative development professionals are able to recommend further support in the form of finance packages. The Co-operative Enterprise hub provides a personal package of advice and finance to help new and existing co-operatives become more sustainable businesses.
- Business support is provided by people who understand co-operatives
- The advice, training and consultancy is provided free of charge
- Loans are readily available without personal guarantees
If you would like to access advice and business support from The Co-operative Enterprise hub visit www.co-operative.coop/enterprisehub and complete the online application form.
With a multi-million pound business model, Grow Enterprise Wales is about to move social enterprise in Wales to a new level. GrEW's three initial projects aim to involve hundreds of people by the spring and summer of 2010 and the business model has the potential to encompass thousands of people all over Wales.
Whatever your ambition in the social enterprise sector, we believe we can help it to grow.
