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Welcome to the November social enterprise link e-newsletter. In this newsletter we aim to keep you up to date with the ever changing world of social enterprise.

If you have any infomations or news you think for the newsletter, please contact Lucy Piatkowski at lucy.p@sesc.info.

Are you signed up to the enterprise networks?

The enterprise networks are a series of 10 sector specific groups.  Social enterprises from the following sectors have been linked together so members of the groups can share best practice and sector information, network with similar or related organisations from across west yorkshire in order to strengthen and develop the industry sector. Network members receive industry specific newsletters, as well as the opportunity to attend a variety of events tailored to the sectors individual needs.

There is a wide choice of networks, from community arts to youth and child care, and you are free to sign up to as many networks as you like.

If you would like more information or to sign up follow this link or email the enterprise network manager, rachel oddie at rachel.oddie@sesc.info

 

News

The Conservation Foundation, in partnership with O2, has announced the launch of a brand new award scheme aimed at providing funding for projects designed to improve local environments throughout the UK

The fund, titled "it's your community" is open to local amenity groups;Parish and village councils; schools; youth clubs; heritage groups;Environmental and conservation groups; as well as individuals who can show that their project will benefit the local environment.

Eligible projects can cover a wide range of activities providing the theme is environmental improvement. Projects such as turning derelict land into an amenity park or wildlife area, tree planting or creating a wildlife pond would be considered appropriate for funding.

Awards of up to £1000 are being made available to local groups and individuals for the hire of tools or equipment, and to purchase plants, paint, signs and materials.

Application forms are available from all O2 shops or by emailing the address on the conservation foundation website

 

Developing vibrant and sustainable community websites

The localbiz project is an activity which helps young people prepare for the world of work. It’s about giving them the opportunity to develop and manage a local community website from their school (and with teacher governance); each one will be unique to their community. It’s a new programme and already several communities are benefiting from their own young people being pro-active and able to contribute to developing a vibrant and prosperous community.

If interested in the concept you should to contact us first, for more information, and then approach the head/governor of a local secondary school to determine their level of interest. Many schools, given active support from the local business community (seen as a potential stumbling block in them getting started) should then be keen to explore the many ways in which this activity will help the school deliver several key educational targets. The project is 100% sustainable, as each year new student cohorts take over and help the site to grow bigger and better.

In a nutshell;

  1. Many schools are crying out for practical opportunities to better prepare young people for the workplace.
  2. A local business directory – up-to-date, without irritating adverts etc would significantly help people source local goods and services more easily.
  3. Small business start-ups could achieve an immediate web presence locally without the cost of setting up a full website (including pictures and logos). They could also agree to visit the school and explain their business needs to small groups of ‘interested’ students and then get their details added onto the community website – perhaps for free.
  4. The website includes an events guide to help people discover what’s happening in their locality.

It’s a great way in which to achieve sustainable win-win outcomes.

To get a quick feel of what is possible, here are two websites under development which you may wish to look at; http://www.penistone.localbiz.co.uk/  - use keyword search to find out the christmas menu for the fountain inn (e.g. Use ‘food’), http://www.tonbridge.localbiz.co.uk/ – showing real enterprise (they have also developed a fantastic multimedia presentation) and http://www.demotown.localbiz.co.uk/ – demo site of what is possible

Our company is based in ilkley, west yorkshire. We supply easy to use web templates and comprehensive teacher guides. The students (under teacher governance) are responsible for content and design.

 

Funding

The york merchant adventurers’ company has announced details of its annual Grants and Awards

Seek and find grants of up to £5,000! Anyone aged 16 or over, resident in yorkshire, that needs funding to improve their skills or advance their career by further education, training or business experience, and which they then intend to use in an enterprising way, could qualify for a seek and find grant.

There is also a prize for the most innovative and entrepreneurial ideas about how to maximise the benefit to be gained from the cultural and/or historic environment, whether for personal, public or institutional benefit.

A prize of up to £5,000 for enterprise

A further prize is awarded for the most innovative and entrepreneurial business idea submitted before the 2006 closing date.

The only conditions for this award are that the application relates to a person's own work, ideas or personal creativity, is capable of ultimate commercial development, and making the award will make a significant difference to the person being able to take their idea forward.

Applications should be submitted by 1st decenber 2006 and the Awards and Grants will be publicly announced at venturefest yorkshire on 7th february 2007 where the award ceremony showcases entrepreneurial excellence in Yorkshire.

For further details and how to apply see the merchant adventurers’ Website

 

The Prince’s Trust is offering young people the chance to apply for cash awards of up to £5,000 to complete a community project or get a social enterprise up and running

Funding is through‘the big boost’ - funded by the big lottery fund.  More Than 35 awards will be made to young people across yorkshire and the humber During 2006.

Prince’s trust group awards are cash awards enabling groups or individuals Aged 16-25 who are either unemployed, in or leaving care, have been in Trouble with the police or have no qualifications, to design and deliver Projects that benefit their community.

The prince’s trust is interested in funding a wide range of projects and Would be delighted to discuss all opportunities, contact anne haw on 07903 647959/ 01977 698 000 or e-mail anne.haw@princes-trust.org.uk

To discuss an idea for a social enterprise, contact ian gomersall on 07904 127920 or email ian.gomersall@princes-trust.org.uk 

 

The Older People's Health in Mind Programme, through it's Community Involvement Project, is seeking applications under its wellbeing 'activity' Fund for projects aimed at older people with mental health needs and their Carers

It will fund social activities such as walking and exercise sessions, tai chi, allotment/gardening, reminiscence, etc. Applications should be from Voluntary and community groups and other organisations and agencies that work with older people with mental health needs.

Funding will be between £1,000 and £5,000. Applicants should contact the community involvement project with their idea and request an application pack.

Community involvement project team, bradford older peoples health in mind, Unit 28, carlisle business centre, 60 carlisle road, bradford bd8 8bd, tel: 07920 870747, email: shahidur.rahman@bradford.gov.uk

 

The Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Fund have now been launched!

The first deadline has now already passed, however the final deadline is 17 december 2006

The aims of the funds include giving a voice to young people, improving things to do and places to go, increasing the wellbeing of young people and  their engagement with services.

Applications are invited from all agencies who work with young people aged between 11 and 19 (up to 25 years for young people with disabilities) in informal settings and who are formally consituted.

Young people must be heavily involved in the application but it is expected that experienced adults will need to be involved to ensure adequate deployment of the money.

A maximum of £100,000 is available per project and it is expected that bids will combine both youth capital and youth opportunity funding.

Further information and application packs from nicky lannen, tel: 01274 641772, paul johnson, tel: 01274 437484, or bushra hussain, tel: 01274 722772

 

What’s on

Free November seminars on doing business with Kirklees Council -

at the National Children’s Centre, Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP on:November 21 – 9am to 12 noon and November 29 – 1pm to 4pm



The Corporate Procurement department will provide information on new developments at Kirklees Council which will enable firms to bid more easily to work with the council.

This will include the new ‘Alito’ online supplier registration system where firms can receive information on new council business and bid for it – not just with Kirklees, but across 22 other councils in Yorkshire and the Humber. Other developments include e-commerce, redesign of council contracts and tenders to open up more opportunities for local firms.


For more information or to book a place please contact Stella Lee, Corporate Procurement Department on 01484 416953, or email bidforbusiness@kirklees.gov.uk

 

Meet the Buyer 2006

Wakefield Council is holding the next Meet the Buyer event on Thursday 30th November at Pontefract Racecourse. Meet the buyer 2006 is set to be a high profile multi agency event, the scale of which has never been seen in this area before

The informal drop-in event allows you to be able to come along at any time during the day to meet buyers from across Wakefield Council and other local public sector organisations, receive business advice and support and find out how you could be winning business.

Further information on the event and the exhibitors can be found at www.wakefield.gov.uk/mtb

The free of charge event will be held at Pontefract Racecourse 9am – 3pm (registration from 8.30am) on 30th November 2006. It is expected that large numbers will attend so to ensure your place, please complete the online booking form at www.wakefield.gov.uk/mtb

 

Prove, Improve and Account!

Social Audit Network Conference, Friday December 1st at Priory Street Centre, York

A conference with  a mix of theoretical perspectives to debate and practical experiences to share – something for trained and qualified practitioners and something for those who are new to social accounting and audit.

Speakers include

There is also a huge selection of workshops to attend on the day, and hear why organisations have chosen to do social acounting and what they have got from it.

Delegate fee’s

For more information or to book your place please contact nicola ward on 01430 879 073 or email nicola.ward@hwrcc.org.uk

 

Tender Readiness Toolkit Workshops

All sessions run from 10am – 12.30 pm At:Social Enterprise Support Centre, Pennine Camphill Community, Boyne Hill, Chapelthorpe, Wakefield, WF4 3JH

If you need an organisational health check before seeking contracts this is probably the most useful dvd you can look at. View a demonstration of the toolkit and seek professional advice about your organisation’s capacity to deliver new contracts.

The workshop/dvd includes:

Once completed you will have a comprehensive black and white view of your organisation for future planning purposes.

The events are free to attend but places are limited, please complete online booking form or contact Lucy Piatkowski at the social enterprise support centre, fax 01924 241319 or email lucy.p@sesc.info

 

Recycling for Business: an Opportunity for your Environment

Wednesday 13th December 2006, 10.30 – 3.30pm At the Carriage Works Theatre, Millennium Square, Leeds

This interactive event will focus on the market opportunities within the environment and recycling sectors.  The event will showcase some alternative opportunities for expansion and look at practical methods to develop your social enterprise

A series of successful social enterprises will demonstrate a range of innovative business models and the opportunities of working with alternative industries.

These will include:

Ø      Energy generation from wind, wave and bio-fuel sources

Ø      Alternative uses and markets for the widely collected material streams

Ø      There will also be discussion about benefits of developing a waste exchange

Networking lunch - there will be an opportunity to view our market place exhibition.  For more information about exhibiting please contact lucy piatkowski on lucy.p@sesc.info or phone 01924 241330

Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend workshops of their choice:

v     Workshop one - customer care and retail hints and tips

v     Workshops two - training opportunities and job creation

v     Workshops three – procurement

The event is free to attend but places are limited, please complete the online booking form or contact  Lucy Piatkowski at the social enterprise support centre, email lucy.p@sesc.info

Why not take a look at the events page online to see more events that are coming soon

  

Free Publications

"Before you sign on the dotted line", NCVO's guide to procurement nowavailable on their website at: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp/earning/contracting

 

Making Giving Go Further - the definitive guide to tax-effective giving", from the Institute of Fundraising, email: taxback@institute-of-fundraising.org.uk

 

Local Info

What's on in Kirklees this December 

Huddersfield Christmas Market - 6th December, 9am - 5pm

 A superb choice of unusual gifts, including woodcarvings, children's toys, arts and crafts, jewellry, soaps and aromatherapy and of course all the essentials for Christmas, from hats and scarves to keep out the cold, and luxury cushions to spruce up the house ready for all the Christmas visitors.

Panto Season is here, so why not take a look at what's on at the Theatre; 

Lawrence Batley Theatre