A West of England Mayoral Combined Authority initiative, Social Economy West will support and grow the social economy in the region, helping organisations to overcome increasing demand amid the cost-of-living crisis.
It will provide charities, third sector organisations, social enterprises, and co-operatives with the resources, expertise and guidance they need to:
- Explore opportunities for growth
- Effectively manage increasing demand on services
- Build economic resilience and enhance environmental sustainability
- Manage risk more effectively
- Diversify income streams
What support can organisations benefit from?
We're working with experienced third sector organisations, Voscur, 3SG, CVS South Gloucestershire, School for Social Entrepreneurs and Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, to deliver five key support activities to businesses, including:
- 1-2-1 coaching and support
- Demand-led themed workshops
- Expert mentoring from social entrepreneurs
- Opportunity to join peer networks
- A comprehensive Accelerator programme
Who is eligible for support?
To be eligible for support, organisations must be located in the West of England Combined Authority Region and have a core social mission.
This could include organisations such as:
- Social and community enterprises
- Charities
- Voluntary and community sector organisations
- Housing associations
- Co-operatives and mutuals
- Informal self-help initiatives
- Social finance and support providers
- Alternative business models
To be eligible for support through this programme you must be an established organisation based within the West of England ( Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol or South Gloucestershire) and have filed a minimum of 1 years full accounts. Most importantly your organisation should be committed to developing or expanding income streams.
Upcoming Events
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Developing a Volunteer Strategy for Recruitment and Retention
Join us for this workshop to understand where to access community volunteers, know how to recruit the right volunteers into your organisation and learn how to implement strategy and policy to retain this valued workforce. There be will also be opportunities to share ideas and learnings with peers in the VCSE sector.
5th June | Online | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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Keeping Volunteers Engaged and Valued
Explore how to keep volunteers confident, motivated and supported, how to encourage volunteers to grow and develop to meet their individual needs and learn how to write a volunteer policy addressing organisational needs from volunteers and aligning this relationship with paid staff.
7th May | Online | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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Analysing and Reporting Data for your Organisation and Funders
Join this workshop to learn more about qualitative and quantitative data, collating and analysing (with reality checks) and deemonstrating impact to funders, stakeholders and wider community. There be will also be opportunities to share ideas and learnings with peers in the VCSE sector.
Postponed - new date coming soon.
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Financial Management and Planning
From attending this workshops you will learn who should know and understand what in relation to finanial management, what financial management processes you should have in place and what does good financial planning look like.
14th May | Ridgewood Community Centre in Yate | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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Developing a Strategic Plan - Part 1
Join our first workshop to understand the importance of strategic planning for VCSE organisations, learn what elements are needed in your strategic plan, become familiar with different tools you can use to create your plan and draft a plan of next steps for how you will create your strategic plan
19th May | Ridgewood Community Centre in Yate | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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Building High Performing, Inclusive and Resilient Teams
Attendees will learn how to understand the psychological safety approach to management, explore how to build more psychological safety within teams and learn experience exercises you can do with your team. Plus we'll share resources that are available to help your organisation.
28th May | Coniston Community Centre in Patchway BS34 | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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Strategic Planning - Follow Up
This is follow up session from our workshop held in May called 'Developing a Strategic Plan Part 1'.
Come along to review your progress on strategic planning, enjoy networking and peer support and explore any challenges you are facing.
26th June | Online | 10.00am - 12.00pm - Book here
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Facilitating Effective and Accessible Team Meetings
Join us to learn more about good practice in meeting facilitation, facilitation techniques and models, building trust and how we can create this within groups and meetings.
27th June | Yate | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Book here
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What is Social Investment?
Join us for An Introduction to Social Investment, a practical and informative session hosted by BBRC, a leading social investor. This session will provide valuable insights into the social investment market and guide you through the key concepts you need to know to take your first steps.
18th September | Online | 10.00am - 11.30am - Book here
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Getting Investment Ready
Take the next step on your social investment journey with this Investment Readiness session, designed to help social enterprises understand how to prepare for securing investment. Hosted by BBRC, this follow-on event builds on foundational knowledge and focuses on the practical steps to becoming investment-ready.
11th June | Online | 1.00pm - 3.00pm - Book here
20th November | Online | 10.00am - 12.00pm - Book here
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Setting Up for Trading - Legal Structures, Governance
28th April | Online | 1.00pm - 3.00pm - Book here
This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about matching your organisational governance structure to your trading aims.
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Partnership Development 1 - Developing your offer
This Social Economy West training will help individuals running charities and CICs to clearly define a partnership offering and identify potential corporate partners. Participants will explore what makes their charity unique, how to articulate their value through data-driven storytelling which does justice to their impact, and how to effectively find prospective partners.
7th May | Bristol | 10.00am - 12.00pm - Book here
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Partnership Development 2 - Proposals and Pitching
This Social Economy West training will help individuals running charities and CICs to understand the key elements of crafting and presenting a compelling partnership proposal and pitch that resonates with corporate audiences. Participants will learn how to align their proposal with corporate priorities, present their charity’s impact effectively, and confidently deliver a pitch that secures partnerships
15th May | Bristol | 10.00am - 1.00pm - Book here
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Money Matters Part 1 - Financial understanding for non-finance managers
12th June | Bristol | 10.00am - 12.00pm - Book here
This Social Economy West training will enable individuals running charities and CICs to confidently interpret accounts and budgets, and explain the principles and purpose of financial records.
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Money Matters Part 2 - Financial planning for non-finance managers
19th June | Bristol | 10.00am - 12.00pm - Book here
This Social Economy West training will enable individuals running charities and CICs to confidently plan forward with their finances, equipping them with the tools needed to include accurate finance forecasting e.g. for business plans.
How do I find out more about Social Economy West?
If you'd like to find out more about the support on offer, please email the team.
How do I apply for support?
To apply for support, please fill in the application form below and one of our team will get back to you shortly.
A West of England Combined Authority initiative, delivered in partnership with Business West and expert partners to support the social economy across the region.
Apply for the Accelerator Programme
As part of the Social Economy West project, School for Social Entrepreneurs is offering eligible organisations the chance to join its Accelerator Programme. This programme will give delegates the opportunity to broaden their networks and increase their knowledge to boost their organisation
Good Employment Charter
The West of England Combined Authority has launched the Good Employment Charter, a voluntary accreditation scheme that aims to improve employment standards in the West of England for organisations of all sizes and sectors.
Skills Clinics
Would you like the opportunity to have a 1-2-1 conversation with an experienced Skills Advisor? Discuss your current and future workforce needs, get connected with local and national training providers and feed into the future skills strategy for the region.