
Support and resources for social enterprises.
Big Society Capital
New lending facilities will provide much-needed finance to charities and social enterprises, and small businesses in disadvantaged parts of the UK.
An ambitious £100 million programme of loans and investment is announced today to help get much-needed emergency funding to social enterprises, charities and small businesses in disadvantaged areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The measures complement the coronavirus grants programme for social sector organisations announced today by the Government.
Find out more.
Good Finance
Good Finance has developed a resources hub to support charities and social enterprises.
Visit the hub here.
The Business Group Salford
The Business Group have also launched the next round of their enterprise and employability support as part of work in Central Salford. They are offering individuals, businesses, social enterprises and community groups a range of support including 1-2-1 business support and cash grants (of between £200 - £500) to help them start, grow or sustain their organisation.
If you are interested complete the very simple form here.
The Business Growth Hub
The Business Growth Hub has developed a dedicated Coronavirus webpage and are running a series of webinars to provide guidance for businesses.
Visit the webpage here.
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has a dedicated web page which has advice and support for businesses.
They are also offering all businesses who aren’t currently members free access to the GM Business Community which will give access to their network and support.
Find out more here.
Government
Government has a page detailing the support available for businesses here. They have also issued Coronavirus (COVID-19) a guidance document for Community Interest Companies (CICs) to maintain services for CICs and protect the welfare of employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
GMCA
GMCA has provided a Covid-19 – Immediate support for the VSCE sector briefing which sets out some immediate sources of support (financial and otherwise) for VSCE organisations providing a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read the document here.
Social Enterprise UK (SEUK)
Webinars
SEUK are continuing their series of webinars, you can sign up and listen back via the links below:
- Mental health and working from home. Delivered by the CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, Simon Blake. Sign up.
- Adapting your business model. Delivered by Colin Downie, Sales and Partnership Director at leading social enterprise WildHearts. Sign up.
- HR implications of the pandemic. Delivered by Jan Golding, CEO at social enterprise HR consultancy, Roots HR. Listen here.
- Financial support for social enterprises. Delivered by Ian Workman, the Managing Director, Head SME at Barclays. Listen here
- Business continuity planning. Delivered by the outgoing CEO of Belu Water, Karen Lynch. Listen here
Briefing
You can read SEUK's refreshed briefing for social enterprises which now contains information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferrals and the announcements on public sector contracts.
The guide and other resources can all be accessed here.
Blog calls for support for social enterprises
SEUK are continuing to do all they can to push the Government to ensure social enterprises and the communities they support are protected through the crisis. SEUK believes passionately that we can get through this, and that Government has to do more to support our sector which is working with the people and areas which will be worst affected by this pandemic.
Read the blog here.
Social Enterprise and Covid-19 response survey
SEUK Chair, CEO and External Affairs Director have all been in regular contact with ministers and civil servants to make sure the voices of social enterprises are heard. If you've not done so already please fill out the survey which gives you an opportunity to let us know the key issues you are facing.
Take part in the survey here.
Power to Change
Power to Change has created a support page for community businesses affected by COVID-19, with links to further support, guidance and emergency funding. They have also launched the Community Business Mutual Aid group, to help community businesses connect and support each other, and to better understand the needs of community businesses in facing the pandemic.
Further information here.
Save our Social Enterprises! campaign
A new campaign to Save our Social Enterprises! has been launched.
The campaign is a collaboration between Community Leisure UK, Co-operatives UK, Locality, Plunkett Foundation, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Social Enterprise Mark CIC, Social Enterprise UK, Social Value UK, and UnLtd.