Free PR advice at Voice 09

Ethical PR companies Blue Rocket Group Ltd and Green Rocket Media C.I.C will provide a free advisory clinic during Voice 09 on 10th and 11th of February.

Published Feb 04, 2009 - 12:39 PM
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Free Management Consultancy from the Cranfield Trust

The current financial situation has meant that many Charities are experiencing a reduction in funding and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. The Cranfield Trust can help in a number of important ways.

Published Jan 29, 2009 - 11:27 AM
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More support for South West businesses

South West businesses battling the economic downturn are being supported with a raft of financial and advisory measures from the South West RDA.

Published Nov 13, 2008 - 09:15 AM
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RISE Additions bursary for SFEDI assessment

22 people have successfully accessed the RISE Additions bursary to help cover the cost of SFEDI assessment. That's great news for social enterprises, because there will be even more social enterprise advisors providing high quality advice, that are endorsed by SFEDI. It does mean that the current bursary is therefore no longer available. But don't despair because RISE, working with Business Link, have been able to renew the bursary for the coming year.

Published Jul 24, 2008 - 09:30 AM
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South West Social Enterprise Support Contract advertised on OJEU

The anticipated advertisement for the provision of business support services to social enterprises is now available on the OJEU website. Known as 'The framework for the provision of specialist services to Social Enterprises (in South West England), Serco on behalf of Business Link are advertising the contract.

Published May 06, 2008 - 02:42 PM
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Expressions of Interest: Social Enterprise Link � delivery of brokered packages 2008-2013

Co-operative Futures is seeking to identify a network of suppliers to deliver brokered package solutions for Social Enterprise Link, the proposed regional social enterprise support service.

Published Feb 06, 2008 - 05:20 PM
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PQASSO Quality Mark Peer Reviewers required

The PQASSO Quality Mark is the new external assessment service for PQASSO users. It offers accreditation against the PQASSO quality standards, the most widely used quality assurance system within the third sector. CES is currently recruiting and training for PQASSO Quality Mark peer reviewers to assess organisations against the PQASSO standards.

Published Jan 24, 2008 - 03:09 PM
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Free architectural consultations for social enterprises

As part of Enterprise Week (12 � 18 November), Social Enterprise Day is on Thursday 15 November. It is also National Pro-Bono Week, an initiative of Business in the Community (BITC). As part of this week Stubbs Rich Architects are offering a free consultation to Social Enterprises in the South West region�. so how can architects help an expanding business?

Published Oct 31, 2007 - 04:21 PM
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RISE hosts visit from Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

RISE recently hosted a delegation from the Small Business Service on a visit to Devon social enterprise, Cosmic. From the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly known as the DTi) were Mark Turner and Tony Symmonds. The discussions focussed on the regional business support for social enterprises and ensuring quality standards.

Published Jul 30, 2007 - 11:45 AM
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Consultation: business support simplification

The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, formerly known as the DTI, recently issued a consultation on �business support simplification�. The essence of the government�s proposal is to streamline the number of business support schemes it offers in order to reduce duplications and inefficiencies across England. SEC are inviting social enterprises to take part in the consultation. They are particularly keen to hear from small social enterprises that have experienced, or are experiencing, business support including free or subsidised advice, grants, reduced-interest loans, training and help with finding workspace.

Published Jul 18, 2007 - 05:10 PM
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Launch of new regional business support service for social enterprise

RISE has been instrumental in enabling a region-wide service for potential and existing social enterprises to access business advice and support from across South West England. Lucy Findlay, RISE Chief Executive, states that ?This is a unique development nationally which means that the South West region is one of the leading regions on the development of tailored business support for social enterprises.? RISE has published the evaluation of the successful pilot project that preceded the launch of the service (available here). Social enterprises based in South West England requiring advice or support can email

Lucy Findlay met again with former Minister Margaret Hodge MP on national support for social enterprises. As a result the Small Business Service are sending a delegation, led by Mark Turner, to investigate the South West model as best practice, with a view to sharing their findings with other regions.

Published Jul 10, 2007 - 04:00 PM
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Regional Social Enterprise Business Support: Evaluation

RISE has published the evaluation of the South West Regional Social Enterprise Business Support Project, that has led to the launch of the new regional service.

Published Jun 18, 2007 - 04:20 PM
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A new social enterprise business support service in South West England

Co-active is at the forefront of a new regional service to provide advice and support to social enterprises. This follows the successful pilot run by RISE (evaluation available on rise-sw.co.uk). The new service has been developed in the South West region to give information and advice to everyone developing social enterprises, whether they are already trading (or are at the very beginning of the process), and if they are looking to create or expand trading activity. This free service will give information about social enterprises, together with valuable information about developing your business idea.

Published May 30, 2007 - 02:15 PM
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Community Enterprise Unit retain IIP

CEU are proud to announce that they have successfully maintained their Investors in People status, passing the review with flying colours. And the key to the success was the measurement tool �Social Accounting and Audit�; a tool which helps third sector organisations prove, and improve, what they do.

Published May 25, 2007 - 09:05 AM
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Contract: business study in Dorset

Whitfield Rural Activity Centre (Dorchester) is a well-established project which provides services for people with mental health needs. It is currently part of the NHS, managed by Dorset Primary Care Trust and accommodates a number of therapeutic and productive activities. They are seeking applications from individuals, businesses or voluntary organisations to put together a business study that will be an essential part of the plan to develop Whitfield Rural Activity Centre into a Social Enterprise project. Closing date 6.6.07

Published May 23, 2007 - 04:01 PM
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