Social Enterprise Coalition activity 
Public sector myths must be busted to help social enterprises win contracts - new guide published The Social Enterprise Coalition in partnership with Anthony Collins Solicitors has produced a new guide to help social enterprises navigate public sector procurement and tackle the myths that prevent them from winning contracts. The changing public service markets could foster rapid growth in the social enterprise movement, providing shared social value for all and beating the trend toward increasing private sector provision. But there are unhelpful myths that need to be busted if social enterprises are to succeed. ‘Working with the public sector: Busting the myths’ seeks to support the increasing number of social enterprises moving into public services, equipping them with a sound understanding of the procurement rules, practices and processes. Download a free copy of the guide from the SEC website.
Sign our letter of thanks to Francis Maude MP Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office has backed the Bill on behalf of the Government. The Minister's support is vital in making sure the Bill progresses through parliament, so we wrote to him to thank him for the work he's done so far and to let him know how important the Bill is to the social enterprise movement. A number of SEC members have already signed this letter with us. If you'd like to add your signature, please email us with details of your name and organisation. To read the letter and see who's signed it so far, click here.
Over to you! - A message from Peter HolbrookSince 2002, when SEC first came onto the scene, a huge amount has changed in social enterprise, as have we. Looking ahead there will be opportunities as well as challenges, but we’re certain the movement will grow and achieve even greater things for our communities, our society and our world. And so we want to make sure that our identity is spot on, and works for our members and the wider movement. It’s also time for a brand that works beyond the political arena. We’ll be changing our logo and perhaps our name too. We want – we need – you (our members, supporters and friends) to tell us what you think. The more people who give us their thoughts, the better the end result will be for social enterprise. It’ll only take a few minutes to fill out the survey.Thanks very much!
Peter
Clean money...dirty linen - latest blog post from Peter Holbrook The latest blog post from Peter Holbrook tackles the issue of social enterprise access to mainstream investment and looks at what a Social Stock Exchange could offer. "A social stock exchange could be a game changer – it could bring together successful socially beneficial enterprises and connect them to sources of investment that are hungry for a blended return. We have nearly a million people working within the sector who could be potential investors, we have any army of supporters across other sectors, we have charities with large reserves in traditional and often dirty investment portfolios and billions of pounds in local authority investments. This money could be working for our communities, stimulating growth and innovation rather than simply looking for the highest and often risky financial return (remember local authority Icelandic investments anyone?)." Read the post in full here. 
News 
Heritage Lottery Fund says yes to “The People’s Pier" The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) last week announced it has given the green light to support the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) in their bid to save Hastings Pier in East Sussex. Development funding of £357,400 has been awarded by HLF to enable the Trust to move to the next stage of its plans before a final decision is made on a full HLF grant of £8.75m. The project includes a restoration programme to preserve the structure, an education programme to deliver hands on heritage learning to all ages and a commercial programme to set up a community owned company to manage the pier. These ambitions should ensure that by the end of the project, the pier will be structurally sound and a great investment platform for the future, a catalyst for the economic, social and cultural regeneration of Hastings and the British seaside. Angela Davis, HPWRT trustee who led the application said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting our project. This news strengthens our resolve to continue working with Hastings Borough Council to secure the pier’s ownership so we can deliver the vision of an iconic pier for Hastings.” Jess Steele, Treasurer, added: “The Battle for Hastings Pier isn’t over yet and the Trust needs your support as much as ever, including raising the essential match funding. So please sign up as a member, sponsor a plank or become a volunteer. As the banner on the People’s Pier says: “You Can Save Me!” Find out more about HPWRT and The People’s Pier on their website - http://hpwrt.co.uk/ Follow them on Twitter @thepeoplespier.
Mayor Launches Social Enterprise Bootcamp The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, recently launched a series of tailor-made ‘Business Bootcamps’ to take place in the capital including one centred on social enterprise. The Bootcamp programme, will give around 1,000 new entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop the key skills they will need to build successful businesses. With between 25 and 50 places available on each, the Bootcamps will be run by established business people and experts in their field. The Social Enterprise Bootcamp ‘Business Revolution’, will be delivered by leading Civil Society consultancy, training and social enterprise support specialists Red Ochre. The Bootcamp will be delivered over two days and will be aimed at aspiring and existing social entrepreneurs. Participants will also be able to access a range of other benefits that will boost their success. Red Ochre’s managing director Uday Thakkar stated “This is a fantastic opportunity to help hundreds of existing and potential social entrepreneurs to create a revolution of opportunity and social impact. Social enterprises are a key component in creating jobs and helping the economy recover. Even more so they provide the ethical ballast that has proved to be missing in much of today’s business. We are hoping to tap into the intense interest in social enterprise from the statutory, commercial as well as the voluntary and community sector”. Funding for the bootcamp series comes from the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Open Innovation EU’s Interreg scheme. Book for the Social Enterprise Bootcamp here.
Social enterprise chosen by Welsh Assembly Government to create new job opportunities Social Enterprise Award winners, Vi-Ability Educational Programme, in partnership with Colwyn Bay Football Club has been awarded a contract to create 20 employment opportunities for 16-17 year olds in the Communities First Areas of Conwy over the next twelve months. Those who go through the ‘innovative’ programme will be trained in a variety of roles within the football industry; gain recognised qualifications such as the BTEC Level 2 in Football Industries and FAW Level 1 Football Coaching Award; and go on external work placements at professional clubs across the UK & Europe. Managing Director of Vi-Ability, Kelly Davies (pictured above with her Social Enterprise Award) said: ‘Leaving school with limited qualifications or employment experience can leave young people feeling daunted with no career prospects. By taking part in this project, within an inspirational setting like the football club, they will gain real work-place experience and transferable skills to make them more attractive to future employers’.
Enta serves up Halal treats thanks to new service Halal food is now on the menu for nurseries, businesses and social events across Birmingham thanks to an innovative catering service from social enterprise Enta. The training provider used its own construction trainees and tutors to build a dedicated Halal Kitchen at its Mill Wharf centre and Enta CIC now offers on-site halal catering for conferences, as well as a halal food delivery service too. Enta has already won a contract to supply a city nursery with halal food, while local businesses have also taken advantage of the new service. The facility means that the social enterprise can also cater for a full range of dietary requirements at conferences, parties, weddings and a range of other social events too. Not only has the halal service expanded Enta’s community offer, but building the bespoke kitchen enabled teenage construction trainees to gain valuable on-the-job experience, providing a high-quality facility while working to real deadlines. Social Enterprise Development Manager at Enta, Pamela Wood, said: “We already have traditional conference catering facilities and Top Lock Café here at Mill Wharf, so the Halal Kitchen was a natural addition to our offer. “Being able to use our trainees to build the dedicated kitchen area was great for everyone involved – it gave the teenagers essential work experience and allowed us to keep the build costs down. As a result, we can offer brilliant value for money so our customers really benefit too.” To find out more about Enta visit www.entapeople.com.
Events 
New Markets, New Opportunities - free training for third sector in North East North East May/June One North East is delivering free training to look in more detail about how you can implement, measure, monitor and evaluate performance management in your organisation. The content and delivery has been specifically designed for third sector organisations including social enterprises. These workshops are free of charge to attend and will provide you with valuable information to help you to improve the effectiveness of your organisation. Understanding and Implementing Outcomes - 24 May – Newcastle
- 7 June - Middlesbrough
Monitoring and Evaluating Performance - 25 May – Newcastle
- 14 June - Middlesborough
Visit the website to find out more about these workshops.
Social media seminar 27 May Southsea This seminar from social enterprise NeBMedia will explore social media and what it can offer as a marketing tool marketing tool for everything from charities and bands, to big business and politicians. Find out more about this event on Eventbrite.
Resources 
Big Venture Challenge The Big Venture Challenge is looking for the 25 most ambitious social entrepreneurs in England. It is looking for exceptional people with radical ideas who have got what it takes to deliver social impact at scale. Winners of the Big Venture Challenge will each get a £25,000 grant and the chance to apply for an additional £150,000 of co-investment finance. In addition to the funding, winners also get access to an intensive programme of first class venture support, mentoring and connections designed to keep pace with the fastest growing social entrepreneurs. You can register your interest and find out more about how to apply at www.bigventurechallenge.com. Full applications open on 9 May 2011 and close on 30 June 2011. The Big Venture Challenge is being run by UnLtd - the foundation for social entrepreneurs, together with the Big Lottery Fund.
 Clore Social Leadership Programme The Clore Social Leadership Programme is now looking for its third cohort of Fellows, to be recruited through an open application process. To be eligible, applicants must be working in or closely with the wider social sector and will have demonstrated leadership potential in some of the work they have already undertaken. Each Fellow benefits from a personalised programme which provides challenging opportunities for development, and is tailored to meet their individual needs. The deadline for completed applications is midday on 2 June 2011. For more details about how to apply, and to find out more about the current Fellows, visit: www.cloresocialleadership.org.uk.
Up to £1,000 in grant funding to help you pay for the training you need to help your business grow The government has set up a new Leadership and Management Advisory Service (LMAS) to help eligible employers identify and fund development opportunities for their senior leaders. The aim of the service is to foster the leadership and management skills of senior staff so they can make full use of their workforce and accelerate the growth of their social enterprise. The LMAS will operate on a regional basis and full contact details of the service providers, and the regions they cover, can be found on the Business Link website. Skills South East has the contract for the south east of England and is seeking applications now. Find out more at www.skillssoutheast.co.uk/.
Young Rayne Fellowships 2011 Applications are now open for the Young Rayne Fellowships 2011 Fellowships enable individuals of a refugee background to be supported with a resource fund of £15,000 to grow their ‘big idea’. This could be in sport, culture, social enterprise or anything that supports development in your community. Young Rayne Fellows will be aged between 18 and 25 with a passion for building bridges between communities. The deadline for applications is 29 July 2011. Visit the website for more information.
Member profile 
Glitter Beach Glitter Beach sell fashionable beachwear specifically designed to meet the needs of stoma patients. The company is the brainchild of Victoria Lee, who came up with the concept whilst recovering from bowel surgery herself. Unimpressed by the lack of dignity present swimwear offered patients, she designed a unique belt device which could be clipped inside the swimwear holding a stoma bag in place and then designed her own range of stylish beachwear and swimwear for men, women and children. Profits from Glitter Beach sales will be used to support the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (NACC) and local hospitals directly with stoma care. Money will also be channelled into the creation of an online community giving support, dietary information and raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer. www.glitterbeach.co.uk
Jobs 
Business Development Officer Blackfriars Settlement Salary: £36,731
Location: Central London
Closing date: 24 May 2011
For more information: info@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk Blackfriars Settlement is a community anchor organisation serving the communities of North Southwark and North Lambeth. They are looking for a Business Development Officer who is a dynamic and commercially experienced individual able to develop new business opportunities, across the Settlements services, that achieve income and sustained growth. Working as part of the senior management team with the Director and Deputy Director, you will contribute to and implement the enterprise parts of the Settlements strategic plan, seeking out and sustaining external relationships with partners and stakeholders in the private and public sectors, as well as identifying and leading on, tenders and social enterprise initiatives in support of new and existing work. In particular, you will support the development of Art2Print and the Settlements room lettings and accessible office services. This is a grant funded, 1 year post.
Advertise your social enterprise job here! Advertise and search for jobs on the number one social enterprise job page. Social Enterprise Coalition members get great deals on advertising rates and it's easy to get your job uploaded to allow you to focus on running your business. For more information email James Yabut at james.yabut@socialenterprise.org.uk or visit our jobs page.
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