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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 model is being rolled out in the region using European funding. To access advice tel: 0845 600 9966 and ask to speak to a specialist social enterprise advisor, or visit www.co-active.org.uk.

Click here for a summary of the support that is, and will soon be, available across South West England.

In addition people can access:
**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

Julie Ellison, Social Enterprise Works
Brian Titley, CDA (BRAVE Ltd)
Hilary Sudbury, CDA (BRAVE Ltd)

Cornwall

Bob Northey, Social Traders - Cornwall
Richard Cobbett
Clayton Elliott, Social Economy & Co-operative Development Cornwall Limited
Paul Martin, Social Economy & Co-operative Development Cornwall Limited
Bill Knight, Social Economy & Co-operative Development Cornwall Limited

Devon area

Dawn Eckhart, Community Council Devon
Jerry Bix, North Devon Plus
Annie Popham, Fredericks Foundation

Mid and Eastern South West

Lorna Turner, Community Enterprise Unit
Steve Angove, Community Enterprise Unit
Debbie Stewart, Community Enterprise Unit
Alex Lawrie, Somerset Co-operative Services CIC
Kate Whittle, Somerset Co-operative Services CIC
Clare Mahdiyone, Stroud Social Enterprise Centre
Marilyn Cox, Gloucestershire RCC
Barbara Pond, Gloucestershire RCC
Jane Ryall, Jane Ryall
Tim Coomer, Community First
Jo White, Co-operative Futures

South West England

Sue Morrish, Co-active
Bryonie House, Co-active
Dave Kilroy, Social Enterprise Outcomes
Hannah Reynolds, Hannah Reynolds Associates