useful organisations
  • No downloads available

There are many organisations, agencies, partners and support bodies that are all dedicated to the support and development of the social enterprise sector.

Some of these can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

(Please note that the se² partnership cannot accept any responsibility for the content published on external websites)

Local

South East Local Social Enterprise Networks:

Regional

National

Other Regional Partnerships

Other National organisations

A

  • ABCUL - Body representing Credit Unions
  • ACAS - Acas gives advice and produces publications on a wide range of employment matters. Their range of booklets, leaflets and handbooks give practical guidance and advice for both employers and employees from writing a contract of employment, to holiday entitlement to the latest employment legislation.
  • ACEVO - Professional body for third sector chief executives
  • Action with Communities in Rural England - National umbrella body for rural community councils
  • Architectural Heritage Fund - Grants for building preservation
  • Association of Disabled Professionals - The ADP draws on the expertise of disabled professionals to improve the educational and employment opportunities of disabled people
  • Awards for All

B

  • The Baxi Partnership Ltd - Equity investment for employee-owned companies
  • Big Lottery Fund - Focus on voluntary and community sector infrastructure, children's play, environmental projects, well-being and international aid.
  • Bridges Community Ventures Ltd - Invests equity capital in SME's located in deprived wards and interested in Social Enterprises
  • Business in the Community - Independent business led charity who's aim is ‘to create a public benefit by inspiring companies to improve the positive impact of business in society'
  • Business Link - This is the national business advice service which offers support and advice to small businesses and supports social enterprises in their business plans.

C

D

E

  • Edge Upstart Awards - Awards programme for businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems
  • Esmee Fairbarn - Seeks to improve the quality of life, particularly for people and communities that face disadvantage
  • Enterprise Insight - Campaign group encouraging youth enterprise

F

G

H

 

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

  • Plunkett Foundation  - Support democratic businesses in rural settings.
  • PRIME - Business start-up support for over 50s including access to finance and has CDFI facility
  • The Prince's Trust - National charity supporting young people into business, including social enterprise

Q

R

  • REACH - Opportunities to recruit volunteer retired business executives

S

  • School for Social Entrepreneurs - The School for Social Entrepreneurs exists to provide training and opportunities to enable people to use their creative and entrepreneurial abilities more fully for social benefit.
  • SETAS - Information portal for social enterprises
  • Shop Social Enterprise - Body helping social enterprises break into the retail sector
  • Social Economy Network - Northern Ireland's social economy contains an extensive resources section that allows user upload.
  • Social Enterprise Coalition - The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise.
  • Social Enterprise Training & Support Consortium - The Social Enterprise Training & Support Consortium (setas) has an information resource to help find the most appropriate social enterprise training, support or relevant publication. The website provides links training and support providers, and specialist publications specifically about social enterprise.
  • Social Firms UK  - Umbrella body for companies staffed substantially by disabled workers. Have a resources centre and can advise on issues such as employment and benefits.
  • SPORTA  - The Sports and Recreation Trust Association (SpoRTA) is the major platform for Leisure Trusts in the United Kingdom.

T

  • Triodos Bank - Provides loans as well as arranging other forms of capital finance, including public equity offers.  Specialises in supporting social and ethical firms and projects

U

  • UK Social Investment Forum  - UK network for sharing information about social responsible investment. ]
  • Unity Trust Bank - Owned by the trade union movement and has a track record of lending to social economy projects
  • UnLtd - Administers the Millennium grant fund.

V

  • Venturesome Fund - Finance in the form of loans or equity, which can be used for income-generating activities for Charities
  • ViRSA - Body supporting Community Shops

W

X

Y

Z