Funding Advice Workers’ Network Update BENE’s Third Sector Activity Rhiannon Bearne Social Enterprise Executive

BENE’s Social Enterprise and Third Sector Work Business and Enterprise North East (BE-NE) is the company behind the Business Link support service in the region. Business Link consists of approximately 200 staff who provide information, advice and guidance to businesses and third sector organisations to help them ‘start, succeed and grow’. 80% of Business Link services are applicable to voluntary and community sector groups as well as traditional businesses. Last year BENE helped 593 social enterprises to receive £166k worth of business support funding.

The Social Enterprise Role New post responsible for: 1. Co-ordinating BENE’s social enterprise programme, funded by the Office of the Third Sector. This includes: –The Built to Achieve programme of capacity building workshops –Internal training for Business Link advisers and other members of staff on how to identify and support social enterprises and voluntary organisations looking to trade –A specialist business support funding pot for social enterprises and other eligible third sector organisations

The Social Enterprise Role 2.Working with 2 existing reference groups to develop a regional Social Enterprise Framework which will: –Be an action plan to help social enterprises in the North East grow. –Address how BENE can improve it’s offer to the sector. –Be launched at a conference on 28 th April in Durham.

The Business Link Service Provides business advice, information and support. Common services include business planning and marketing advice. Its services are available to any organisation trading, or looking to trade e.g. a Development Trust earning income from its assets or an unincorporated voluntary group interested in selling its services to its local council. Business Link advisers can also refer clients to the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) for funding to help with projects related to their business aims. Recent Developments: - Richard Falconer has been appointed as specialist broker for social enterprise. - Rhiannon and Richard are visiting each of the Business Adviser teams to update them on their work, including explaining the sp specialist role of CVSs and the support they can provide. -

Business Link and the Sector Discussion 1: When its not worked what have been the main barriers and why? Discussion 2: When it has worked why was this?

Regional Social Enterprise Framework Informed by two regional reference groups. Consists of 7 priority themes, including growing the social enterprise sector and improving social enterprise education and awareness. Aims to draw together the work of all bodies in the social enterprise field and wider VCS to identify good practice and agree actions to address gaps.

Regional Social Enterprise Framework Discussion What could a Social Enterprise Framework offer you? Making it easier for groups to take up a broader range of funding types Informing training on social enterprise Improved referral routes

Contact me on: Rhiannon Bearne Social Enterprise Executive Business & Enterprise North East Spectrum 6, Spectrum Business Park SEAHAM, SR7 7TT