[ Top of page ]

Business advice and support for potential, new and existing social enterprises

Since May 2008, a specialist Business Link regional Information, Diagnostic and Brokerage (IDB) business support service, including voucher scheme to South West social enterprises has been piloted. It has proved very successful and as a result the South West RDA are looking to roll out a full service throughout the region.

The South West RDA is committed to providing full regional coverage later this year. However, in the meantime FREE, SPECIALIST social enterprise business support is available in Cornwall. Funding provided by the SWRDA through Business Link, focused on social enterprises based in the SIF areas of Plymouth, Torbay and Bristol came to an end on 31st March 2009.

Currently, there are two options:
**A free Business Link IDB service that is aimed at all businesses (ie not specifically social enterprise focused) which can identify and source providers who can support Social Enterprises on a commercial basis. See www.businesslinksw.co.uk or t: 0845 600 9966.
**A number of social enterprise specialist advisors, accredited to the SFEDI 'social enterprise standards' may provide specialist support and advice dependent on local funding arrangements and capacity (NB in some cases you may need to pay for this support). These advisors and their contact details are listed below:

West of England / wider Bristol area

, Social Enterprise Works
, Social Enterprise Works
, Social Enterprise Works
, CDA (BRAVE Ltd)
, CDA (BRAVE Ltd)

far South West

, Social Traders - Cornwall


Devon area

, Community Council Devon
, North Devon Plus
, Enterprise Cornwall
, Social Economy & Co-operative Development Cornwall Limited

Mid and Eastern South West

, Community Enterprise Unit
, Community Enterprise Unit
, Community Enterprise Unit
, Somerset Co-operative Services CIC
, Somerset Co-operative Services CIC

Northern South West


, Stroud Social Enterprise Centre
, Gloucestershire RCC
, Gloucestershire RCC
, Jane Ryall
, Community First

South West England

, Co-active
, Co-active
, Social Enterprise Outcomes
, ArtsMatrix
, Hannah Reynolds Associates