Social enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.
Successful social enterprises can play an important role in, for example:
- helping to drive up productivity and competitiveness;
- contributing to socially inclusive wealth creation;
- enabling individuals and communities to work towards regenerating their local neighbourhoods;
- showing new ways to deliver public services; and
- helping to develop an inclusive society and active citizenship.
Social enterprises are diverse. They include local community enterprises, social firms, mutual organizations such as co-operatives and large scale organizations operating nationally or internationally. There is no single legal model for social enterprise. They include companies limited by guarantee, industrial and provident societies and companies limited by shares; some organisations are unincorporated and others are registered charities.
Six National Hubs (external link) support the 'Third Sector', bringing together a range of useful information covering finance, governance, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), performance, workforce and volunteering.
Useful Links:
CETA and Business Link Derbyshire offer an information and diagnostic service tailored to the needs of social enterprise. It is available to start-up, emerging and established social enterprises based in Derbyshire. The diagnostic will normally include a visit to look at your business needs and developing an action plan with you. It will be carried out by a local business adviser with social enterprise experience. For further information or to book an appointment call CETA on 01332 604067.
Derby Loans (external link) derbyloans is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). That is an independent, not-for-profit business that exists to bring together public and private funding to provide affordable loans to reduce social and financial exclusion. Derbyloans is committed to helping community groups start up and thrive. Perhaps a few people want to start a local community business and need a small loan to get things started. They can help them to decide what is practical and will do their best to lend them the money to turn their plans into reality.
CreatiVenesS (external link) is a social enterprise that provides consultation, research, event management, advice, facilitation and training to the voluntary and public sectors to enable the provision of innovative, sustainable services within the community. CreatiVenesS is the brainchild of South Derbyshire CVS.
Open4Community (external link) is the community support funding website for the South Derbyshire area.
South Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) (external link) exists to support, develop, promote and represent voluntary and community organisations in South Derbyshire.
Social Enterprise Coalition (external link) - As the voice of the sector, SEC provides a national platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise. It shares best practice and influences policy in order to create an enabling environment for social enterprise. SEC is committed to representing the totality of social enterprise in all its forms, working to ensure social enterprises can learn from and support each other.
Social Enterprise East Midlands (external link) SEEM's role is to work across all sectors to enable social enterprise to develop and grow. SEEM's website is a key resource for social enterprises and those interested in social enterprise in the East Midlands. The site is intended to be a one-stop site for all information on social enterprise in the region. It will be of value to those running social enterprises, those starting out or those just wanting to find out more about the sector. Among the pages you will find information on business support, funding, our projects, jobs in the sector and news and events.
Contact Details
South Derbyshire District Council
Economic Regeneration Service
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH
tel: 01283 595755
fax: 01283 595760
minicom: 01283 228149
e-mail: economic.regeneration@south-derbys.gov.uk
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