Consultation Event for the Voluntary & Community Sector Infrastructure in Manchester

Macc

There are two separate consultation events. You may wish to attend one or both.

Description of event:

MACC would like to invite you to a special voluntary sector consultation.  These events have been arranged throughout the city, over a number of days, to look at the development and changes to Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure in Manchester.

Macc’s role in the voluntary sector is evolving. As part of that we have committed to reviewing the management, governance and structure of Macc but above all to consult with the local sector about the kinds of support and activities you want us to run.  We are now in a position to start this process however; we don’t want this to be a one-off exercise: it’s an ongoing dialogue. Our vision is that the consultation should be owned by and accountable to the local sector but we need your help.  Please attend a session and let us know what you want from us now and in the future.  

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Social Enterprise Directory aims to boost sales

A new online business directory is promising to help social enterprises reach new markets nationwide, making it easier than ever for customers to find and buy from them.

Developed by SEWM CIC, www.buySe.co.uk exists to help social enterprises promote their products and services across the UK, breaking down geographical barriers and crucially enabling potential customers to find them in one simple-to-use location.

“Latest figures suggest there are around 62,000 social enterprises in the UK, but the number one question we get asked is ‘Where are they?’” says Melanie Mills, chief executive of SEWM CIC. “We believe social enterprises across the UK could be missing out on millions of pounds of sales because people do not know where to find them and what they sell. BuySe.co.uk offers the perfect solution.” The new directory is backed by Social Enterprise UK and includes comprehensive business listings, tenders and job opportunities – completely free for customers to browse. Visit www.buyse.co.uk and follow @buyseonline.

Investment and Contract Readiness Fund

The Social Enterprise news website has reported Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society, has announced the new Investment and Contract Readiness Fund. The £10m fund will be to support and build expertise in charities and social enterprises to increase their chances of successfully gaining investment and public service contracts.

A pilot projectGovernment e-Marketplace was also announced, which aims to make it easier for small businesses and charities to bid for government contracts below £100,000 through a new online system, that removes the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage of the tender process.  These announcements are part of plans to aid charities, social enterprises and other civil society organisations to access public service delivery opportunities.  It is also expected that the Big Society Bank will announce its first investment shortly.

To read the full article please visit the link below:-

http://www.socialenterpriselive.com/section/news/policy/20110725/%C2%A310m-fund-sharpen-chances-social-investment-and-contracting?utm_source=Funding+News+email+updates&utm_campaign=fa82362ec0-FN_MAILCHIMP_DAILY&utm_medium=emai

New £12m fund for social enterprises opens

A new £12 million Capital Growth Fund offering grants and loans to social enterprises providing health and social care services in England has opened for applications.

The £12 million in capital will be made available via the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) to invest in organisations that want funding to support the growth of their enterprises.

The Social Investment Business, which manages the SEIF on behalf of the Department of Health, is offering grants worth between £50,000 and £150,000, with further funding available in the form of loans.

The money is available to buy or refurbish buildings, purchase large pieces of equipment and vehicles or to cover professional fees that relate to capital projects like the cost of architects or surveyors.

The deadline for applications is 16th September 2011 and organisations must be able to spend any investment by the end of this financial year.
For more information go to www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/seif or call 0191 2692 276.
[from: Civil Society Finance 11.8.11]

National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises

This national survey gathers the views of the leaders of charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in England. These organisations go by many names, and many also consider themselves to be community groups, co-operatives or mutuals, a club or society, or a non-profit organisation, housing association, faith group or trust.

The survey was first carried out in Autumn/Winter 2008 as the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations. The second wave of this survey took place Autumn/Winter 2010. The title of the survey was simplified to the National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises. However the two waves of the survey were equivalent in all other respects.

The results from the 2010 survey are available on the website below:-

http://www.nscsesurvey.com/results2010/

The Social Enterprise Mark

The Social Enterprise Mark is the brand for social enterprises.

The Mark identifies businesses that meet defined criteria for social enterprise.

The Mark offers consumers an instantly recognisable logo that represents enterprises working for social and environmental aims, trading to benefit people and the planet.

But the Mark is more than just a logo. It is also access to a network of social enterprises across the UK.

Do you qualify for the Mark?

• Does your company have social and/or environmental aims?
• Does your company have it’s own constitution and governing body?
• Are at least 50% of the company profits spent on socially beneficial purposes?
• Does the company earn at least 50% of its income from trading?
• Can your company demonstrate that social/environmental aims are being achieved?
• If your company ceased trading would remaining assets be distributed for social/environmental purposes?

Answer ‘Yes’ to these questions and your business could be well on the way to achieving the Social Enterprise Mark.

Apply for the Social Enterprise Mark please visit their website below for information and pricing:

Website: http://www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk/

If you have a query about your application or want to send supporting documents, please contact Email: apply@socialenterprisemark.org.uk Tel: 01392 456535

Social Enterprise Mark Company c/o RISE, Unit B, Pynes Hill, Exeter, EX2 5AZ

Locality ’11: Communities ambitious for change

Save the date for the very first national convention from Locality, the UK’s leading network of communities ambitious for change.

1-2 November 2011, Palace Hotel, Manchester

With over 500 community-led regeneration practitioners and supporters expected to attend, Locality ’11 will be the largest event of its kind across the country.  This will be an opportunity to discuss the latest issues affecting communities across the UK; network with like-minded individuals; and find out more about how Locality is promoting community enterprise support, asset ownership and development, social action, local community engagement, community organising, community-led planning and much more.

Who should attend

North West Women’s Enterprise Day Event

The North West Women’s Enterprise Day Event is being run as part of the North West’s contribution to Global Entrepreneurship Week, (now participated in by over 90 countries), this groundbreaking day will bring together 250 enterprising women from across the region for the first time.

When: Friday 19^th November

Where: Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel (about 5 minutes from J18 of the M6).

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Street Peace 2010 – United Estates of Wythenshawe

Street Peace- The conference that isn’t a conference – is about finding some positive ways forward not about complaining about the past; it is about supporting and empowering those at street level to do something; most of all it is about action. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. This has to be the step.

When: 5th October 2010

For more information: Download the PDF Street Peace 2010 Booklet