Cultural Shift - Business Support

A directory has been put together containing the details of organisations which can offer support to social enterprises.

Please click here to open the Business Support Directory, displayed by county.

In the spreadsheet, click on the appropriate county to display organisations relevant to that area.

Change Up Hubs of Expertise

Hubs are partnerships of voluntary and community organisations who have come together to improve the support available to the voluntary and community sector.

PD4SEA - Professional Development for Social Enterprise Advisors.

The programme is being delivered by a partnership of three organisations: Social Enterprise London, Baker Brown Associates and Focus to Work CIC. Social Enterprise London is the lead partner and has overall responsibility for managing the programme. Baker Brown Associates specialise in social enterprise and lifelong learning. They are responsible for designing and delivering the programme. Focus to Work CIC runs employment and training projects throughout the South East. It is responsible for recruiting trainees and organising all the programme events.

The programme was launched in spring 2006 with a series of Awareness Events in each of the eight local social enterprise network areas in the South East. Training activity is now underway with participating organisations.

Business Link provides the information, advice and support you need to start, maintain and grow a business.

It provides information and advice to help customers make the most of their opportunities. Rather than providing all the advice and help itself, it fast-tracks customers to the expert help they need.

The Business Link service us a crucial part of the government’s campaign to promote enterprise and make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business. Business Link is available locally and quality assured regionally to clear national standards.

It is primarily funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, supported by a number of other government departments, agencies and local authorities.

In the first instance, please contact the national telephone number on: 0845 600 9 006 where the local Customer Service Team can identify your needs and direct you accordingly.

Alternatively, there is a wealth of information on the national website: www.businesslink.gov.uk. By entering the term social enterprise in the search box at the top of the page it will bring up much information and advice.