Social Enterprise Coalition activity  New prizes announced for the Social Enterprise Day photography competition 2009 This year, 19 November is Social Enterprise Day: a national day to celebrate and promote social enterprise. This is the second year of the Social Enterprise Day photography competition for England, and this time, we want to show how social enterprise is more than just business as usual. We are in search of photographs that show how social enterprise is making positive change. Maybe you work for a social enterprise or maybe you or someone you know has received exceptional service or goods from one - take a photo and show us what makes social enterprise great. We recently announced two new prizes that are up for grabs: a digital camera and a voucher for lunch for two at Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen, in either London or Cornwall (voucher good for one year). Winners will also: be promoted in the media and featured in the Big Issue, one of the best known social enterprises in the UK; get two free tickets to Voice10, the UK's landmark conference for social enterprise; and will receive a framed copy of their photo. Deadline for entries: October 19 2009 More information on the SEC website
 The Voice10 UK conference for social enterprise will call for ‘No More Business as Usual' Voice, the largest annual conference for social enterprise in the UK, will mark its sixth anniversary in Wales on 1-2 February 2010 at the Cardiff International Arena. The theme of Voice10 is No More Business as Usual. As businesses that place ethics, transparency, social and environmental return at their core, social enterprises do more than just ‘the usual.' As we emerge from recession, how can social enterprises have a greater impact and help rebuild a better, more sustainable economy? How can they reform public services at a time when value for money is one of the most important issues we face? And how can social enterprises challenge themselves to make new connections with each other and with the private sector? For the past five years Voice has brought together thousands of people from the UK and abroad, including leaders from the worlds of social enterprise, government, politics and business. High profile speakers, debates about pressing issues and a large and interactive exhibition have increased the profile and popularity of Voice over the years - last year over 1,000 delegates attended the conference. For more information and early bird registration go to http://www.voice10.org/
 SEC seeks additional board members SEC is seeking to appoint three additional board members (unpaid positions) to complement those elected through its Council. Two should be social enterprise practitioners, and the third is open to any professional. The board are keen to encourage applications from individuals with finance, marketing or communications backgrounds. We value diversity and welcome applications from all parts of the community. The closing date for applications is Friday October 16 and interviews will take place on the Monday October 26. The next board meeting will take place at SEC on Tuesday November 3. How to apply
 Social Enterprise Awards - schools category Apply now for the Social Enterprise Awards ‘schools' category. The awards are a nationwide competition that will find and reward Britain's best social enterprises - the application deadline is October 26. More information about applications, rules and a complete timeline for all the awards (other categories now closed) can be found at: http://www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/ Deadline: October 26th 2009. Application form for schools category.
West Midland Social Enterprises: Winning with 2012 You are invited to participate in a free roundtable meeting to discuss the opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and how social enterprise in the West Midlands can take part in the delivery and legacy of the Games. Working with the Cabinet Office, Social Enterprise London, along with Social Enterprise West Midlands, the Social Enterprise Coalition wants to ensure that social enterprises have all the information they need to engage with the delivery and contribute to the success and the legacy of the Games. In these consultation meetings, you will: - Learn about opportunities presented by the 2012 Games;
- Share best practice and explore business partnerships for successful engagement.
This is the place to learn about Olympic opportunities for social enterprises in the West Midlands and feedback to policy makers on the issues that affect you. This is a free event; places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to register, please do so through our website
 Manifesto workshops Country wide October 2009 onwards In the run-up to the next election, the Social Enterprise Coalition will be producing a social enterprise manifesto. We would like to hear your thoughts and ideas on what we should ask from the political parties. As such we will be hosting a series of workshops across the country in order to gauge views as well as tell you more about our plans for the social enterprise manifesto. We also aim to influence the political parties' own manifestos over the coming months. The workshops are open to all Coalition members and social enterprises and the first workshop will be in Manchester on October 6. For more information on dates and venues please follow the link to the Social Enterprise Coalition website.
 Social enterprise 09: The future of public services Birmingham November 19 Organised by The Guardian, and in association with the Social Enterprise Coalition, this interactive one-day conference is designed for anyone involved in commissioning, delivering or improving public sector services. Held on Social Enterprise Day, there will be keynote speakers, panel debates and a series of workshops designed to provoke discussion and learning on social enterprises in public services. The speaker line-up includes:
Liam Byrne MP, chief secretary, HM Treasury;
Vince Cable MP, shadow chancellor of the exchequer, Liberal Democrats;
Claire Dove, chair, Social Enterprise Coalition;
Peter Holbrook, chief executive, Sunlight Development Trust. http://www.guardian.co.uk/socialenterprise  News  Opportunity for low carbon communities to shape future policies The Government has launched a search for local authorities, charities and social enterprises to take up the challenge to help communities fight climate change. Communities can apply for a share of a £10million fund as part of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge to build on existing low carbon schemes. Around a quarter of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero if the UK is to cut its emissions by 80%, highlighting the importance of local action. This challenge offers the chance to be at the forefront of moving to a low carbon economy. The twenty successful communities will each receive support to pay for real measures selected by the local residents themselves. These could range from a local biomass plant to retrofitting homes to electric car charge points. In return for technical and financial assistance, people living and working in the area will work alongside government and contribute to finding low carbon solutions from which the whole country will benefit. Successful outcomes from the project will pave the way for a national roll-out of proven measures. For towns to be eligible they must demonstrate they are already making changes and are committed to developing both infrastructure and behaviour change that results in carbon reduction such as wind farms, electric car infrastructure or home energy refurbishments. Read the full article on the DECC website
 Fifteen chefs graduate from the Fifteen Foundation this week Fifteen young chefs graduated on Monday September 28 from the London apprenticeship scheme run by the Fifteen Foundation. Friends, family and supporters will gather to celebrate the group's achievements at an evening ceremony at Christ Church Spitalfields. The event will be an extra special celebration because it is a record year in terms of trainee retention and achievement. It is also the first year that the scheme has been shortened to 12 months from 18. Fifteen offers young people, often in need of a break in life, the chance to transform their lives, encouraging them to realise their own potential through the experience of learning to work in the restaurant business. Fifteen Foundation chief executive and Social Enterprise Ambassador Penny Newman says: "We are very proud of the class of 2009. Their hard work has paid off and it is really pleasing to see them setting off on their chosen paths. Nearly half of them were offered jobs during their work placements and the rest of them are working hard to gain employment. "Each person has been on an amazing journey and we hope that they keep in touch with the Fifteen family as they pursue their new found careers." For photographs, interviews and further information please contact: wendy.richmond@fifteen.net
 Phone Co-op acquires Avoco The Phone Co-op announced that it has acquired Avoco UK Ltd, the County Durham-based telecoms reseller. As a result nearly 300 business customers across over 400 sites, mainly in the North East, have transferred to The Phone Co-op. These customers will continue to receive first line support from former Avoco staff based in Consett but will now have access to a wider range of services, benefiting from The Phone Co-op's greater buying power. They include a range of SMEs, as well as a large number of local authorities and public sector agencies, an area in which The Phone Co-op also has considerable experience. Vivian Woodell, chief executive of The Phone Co-op, commented, "The addition of Avoco's customers to our business is an important step in our development. In pursuing this opportunity it was clear that there was a good match between our two organisations, both of which have a strong track record of providing excellent service. At the same time, we're delighted to be able to offer Avoco customers the opportunity to become members of the co-operative and to share in our success as we grow." Martin Oswell, founder and chief executive of Avoco, added, ‘We had established a strong business but to serve our customers' interests in the longer term we needed greater scale. The Phone Co-op will enable them to keep their telecoms costs down and enjoy high levels of service, whilst taking full advantage of a wider product portfolio." For further press information, please contact: Claire Jarvis, The Phone Co-op, T: 0845 458 9013, M: 07773 845568, E: claire@thephone.coop http://www.thephone.coop/ Consultations  Low carbon electricity consultation SEC is currently drafting a response to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on delivering secure low carbon electricity. The deadline for the consultation is October 28 2009. Readers are invited to contact David Forsgate (david.forsgate@socialenterprise.org.uk) to submit their comments or find out further information. Events  Community Alliance in the Northwest information and workshop event October 2009 Preston Securing the future of community anchors: developing assets and enterprise This event is aimed at existing or aspiring ‘community anchor' organisations, particularly those interested in seeking to develop new enterprises or assets to help them to achieve financial stability. For further details, to view the full programme and for booking information click here or email Anne Buchannan on dta@eesolutions.co.uk.
 Dealing with Goliath A seminar on property and staff transfer - from the statutory to third sector October 2009 An SCA Institute seminar in partnership with Hempsons Solicitors. This seminar will address this imbalance and celebrate some third sector successes in the area of asset transfer, specifically the passing of buildings and staff from one sector to the other will be examined from the legal and practical angles by people who have done it. This will be an interactive day so bring along your experiences. To book your place please call Samantha Ruben on 020 7484 7624 or email s.ruben@hempsons.co.uk.
 Social Enterprise Fund and Active Citizenship Fund September - October 2009 Ten briefing sessions where staff from the Adults and Communities Directorate (Birmingham City Council) and ISE will give you more information on the purpose of these two funds, as well as practical information on what appraisers will be looking for from applications. You will also have the opportunity to raise questions. All sessions will begin with registration and coffee at 9:00am in readiness for a 9:30am start and will end at 2:00pm. Please complete a booking form and a programme will be sent to you. Enquiries: amber.woodfull@i-se.co.uk, 0121 771 1411. Resources 
Social enterprise research study The People Finders are carrying out some ongoing independent research on behalf of a government department about social enterprise businesses. The researchers have various dates and time slots and the research (which is testing a website) is taking place near Holborn in London. Each person taking part is paid a generous remuneration of £50-£75 (for 1 hour of their time). If you know anyone that is interested in taking part in this social enterprise research please ask them to email or call The People Finders on 020 8306 9803 or 07956 575624. For more information about the organisation itself please visit http://www.thepeoplefinders.co.uk/
 Free professional advice surgery and funders fair
November 09
Birmingham Aimed at those who run a social enterprise, community group or not-for-profit organisation in Birmingham, Black Country or Coventry. Meet professional people and funding bodies who can offer you free help and advice in: legal structures, architectural matters, contracts, company and charity registration, plans and drawings, cash flow and budget management, PR, marketing and design, employment law and more. The course is aimed to be especially useful to those organisations with a particular interest in social enterprise.
Contact Jennifer Leech, partnership broker, Business in the Community, tel: 0121 451 2227, mobile: 07771 532 777 with any queries. Member ProfileEbico Ebico Ltd is a not-for-profit gas and electricity supplier aiming to offer a better, fairer deal for domestic energy to British households. They are also an expanding enterprise committed to working both for social justice and the wise use of the earth's resources, in a variety of ways. Founded in 1998, Ebico has been making a difference for ten years, especially to low-income households - but also to the planet. The title acronym derives from their original name: the Equitable Billing Company. Ebico are at the forefront of fair energy pricing, and well over 50,000 UK homes have already switched to Ebico's tariffs. Ebico's core business aim is to reverse the dominant market trends within their own commercial ventures. Instead of competing for the business of those who can spend most, by offering them the best deals and cheaper rates, they use the combined purchasing power of all our customers to achieve ethical results that benefit the majority - while putting first those who have least. Read more about their ethos and history - or meet the directors. Ebico website Back to the top | 
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