Support service for enterprises unveiled
Author: Jamie Hailstone, The MJ |
The University of Northampton launched a new national support service for the British social enterprise sector this week.
Inspire2Enterprise service has been rolled out across the country after successfully being piloted in nine counties for the past six months.
The service will offer charities and not-for-profit groups advice on how to manage and run a social enterprise, together with information on organisation and market development. Initially, it will offer support for free via the telephone and the Internet. Groups will also be able to pay for face-to-face coaching and mentoring.
The vice-chancellor, Nick Petford, said the university would also invest in selected social enterprises and help students set up not-for-profit companies.
‘In coming years, the sector stands to benefit as central government, local authorities and the wider public sector look to social enterprises for new ways to address social challenges and achieve greater social and economic value,’ explained the university’s social enterprise development director, Professor Simon Denny.
‘Historically, social enterprises have struggled with accessing affordable, qualified, practical support, particularly during the key phases of enterprise start-up and growth.
‘There has not been, until now, a dedicated service for the sector providing an accessible range of specialist advice, intelligence, research and training,’ added Professor Denny.
A report by the Bank Workers Charity, published last week, warned that the social investment market was still in its infancy and that key players needed to work together to help develop it further.
The report recommended investors publish information about the types of social investment they would be willing to make, so organisations could find out what funding was available.