Social Enterprise Development and Support
Social Businesses are those that benefit the local community or have a Social Aim.
- What is a Social Enterprise
- Role of a Social Enterprise
- Creating Your Idea
- What Advice is Available
- Contact Details
What is a Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise is about providing enterprising solutions to Social, Economic and Community challenges, and creating new ways of doing business for more than purely financial gain.
The Department of Trade Industry define Social Enterprise as "a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally re-invested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners"
DTI - Social Enterprise: a strategy for success July 2002
Here are some of the characteristics central to Social Enterprise:-
- It aims to benefit the community or a specific section of the community.
- Becoming self-sustainable enterprising organisations, by engaging in trading activity to generate income, and achieve their social purpose
- Not distributing profits to individuals or external shareholders
- Holding resources and income, in trust, for community benefit
- Involving its members and stakeholders in the democratic management of the organisation.
- Being an independent organisation accountable to a defined area and to the wider community
The 3 common characteristics of a Social Enterprise are:
- Enterprise Oriented
- Social Aims
- Social Ownership
Role of a Social Enterprise
Social Enterprises have a key role in regeneration and in the promotion of social inclusion. They provide jobs and services sometimes where the private sector has not entered or has withdrawn, sometimes on behalf of the public sector and sometimes through a joint venture.
Social Enterprises deliver the 'triple bottom line' in that they aim to have an economic, social and environmental impact on their area of benefit. They create and retain wealth, reinvesting surpluses in the communities they seek to serve; they create jobs, provide training and increase levels of self-esteem and confidence; they address environmental issues and provide sustainable development solutions.
Social enterprises can provide solutions:
- for people and businesses who are unable to access finance from mainstream sources;
- for people looking to save and/or create jobs/services in their area;
- for people interested in taking over a community asset and running it for themselves;
- for public authorities and communities interested in developing "people focussed" responsive services (social care, childcare, leisure);
- for people with a special need (i.e. people with a disability);
- for business owners in crisis or wishing to retire;
- for businesses wishing to exert more influence in the marketplace or wishing to achieve economies of scale (buying/selling);
- for developing and strengthening the social and economic fabric of an area, social cohesion.
Creating Your Idea
Most Social Enterprises start off as a good idea by someone in response to a particular issue in the community. Someone sees a need or finds out that something they want is not available, or discovers that there are resources which are available that could be used by the community.
Consult: check out the idea with: friends and relations; people in the community, anyone who might be affected by a venture arising from the idea;
Ask them: whether there is really a need; whether the idea will work; whether there is a better way of filling the need, and how to get started; and
Listen to: and take into account, differing and opposing views.
If you decide to go ahead with the idea, decide on the size of the group, and bring together people who:
- think the idea is a good one and are prepared to make a commitment by putting in time and energy.
- know something about getting the proposed venture underway and could contribute in a useful way.
- might be affected in some way by the venture; and are willing to be part of a planning group.
The next thing to do is write your ideas down on paper. This includes the purpose of the organisation, the objectives and the activities or services that the organisation will offer.
What Advice is Available
Our Social Enterprise advice team will help you:
- Develop your idea
- Write a business plan
- Become a sustainable enterprise
Are you looking for...
- Start Up Advice
- Funding Advice
- Ongoing Support
For groups and organisations based in Tameside; support, advice and guidance can be obtained via the Economic Development Unit at Tameside Council.
Contact Details
If you would like to talk to someone about starting your own social enterprise, please contact Live, Work, Invest