Save Money While Investing in Social Enterprise

Development in Social Enterprise CIC has teamed up with Zone4Biz to bring you an offer that is exclusive to Third Sector Organisations in Birmingham and Solihull. This looks like an interesting offer and could catch on, of course I would say that wouldn’t I!

Essentially Development in Social Enterprise has developed a unique way to generate start-up funds with the help of a small energy broker Zone 4 Biz. Zone for Biz offers a lot more than energy savings, but in this unique idea Development in Social Enterprise have negotiated commission made from the switch to be paid into a start-up fund as part of Zone 4 Biz’s Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR].

The idea is being piloted in Birmingham and Solihull with Third Sector organisations and we expect to extend it to the West Midlands and wider UK in future months, so If your organisation hasn’t reviewed its costs, let this scheme take the headache away and you’ll be increasing funds available to social enterprise start-ups in the region too.

To find out the details click here.

Slimming World Business Grants

My old colleague Eleanor has sent me another snippet of information which I am circulating widely. An interesting opportunity for community members who may want to start-up a franchise slimming world business in inner city areas in Birmingham.

This is what’s on offer

NHS Birmingham East and North in partnership with Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust, are offering business support grants to support community members to set up a Slimming World franchise. Our priority areas that we are hoping to target are:

• Washwood Heath,
• Aston,
• Bordesley Green,
• Sparkbrook,
• Handsworth,
• Soho,
• Ladywood.

We are holding two events on Thursday 30^th June

• 11am at Manor House, Digbeth,
• & 6pm at Waterlinks.

These events are designed for community members to find out more about the opportunity and decide if they want to express an interest to find out more and take it forward.

If someone cannot attend on the 30^th they can still express their interest by calling Karina on the number on the flyer.

Flyer attached click here

Birmingham and Solihull’s Big Idea Bananza Q&A

Eleanor Cappell the SEiR for Birmingham East and North has reminded us that there is only 5 days left for the Big Idea Bonanza, a chance to pitch your idea and win £2k support After checking Eleanor is happy for me to publish the information here. so get applying! and Good Luck!

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY 17TH JUNE 2011 5pm

The Young Foundation in partnership with NHS Birmingham and Solihull Cluster are calling for ideas to tackle local health problems. The 10 most promising applications will be shortlisted to attend a Bonanza event, where they will receive expert advice and support to prepare a pitch to a panel of Dragons and win £2,000.

You can apply if you are:

• A public sector employee working in Birmingham or Solihull
• A Third Sector organisation based in Birmingham or Solihull
• A resident of Birmingham or Solihull

Further information: http://benpct.nhs.uk/birminghams-big-idea/

To date we have received applications covering maternity services, organic food, patient communication, exercise, mental health, tele-care, disability, health screenings, looked after children, counselling, employment advice among others.

If you are considering submitting an application Eleanor Cappell, SEiR BEN PCT thought it would be helpful to share the following Q&A’s.

Q. Is ‘YOUNG’ foundation focused on ‘Young’ people?

A. No. The Young Foundation is built on the legacy of Michael Young, a social entrepreneur that helped establish the Open University, Which?, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Healthline (the precursor of NHS Direct). We are interested in identifying unmet need and finding creative solutions bringing together insights, innovation and entrepreneurship to make a positive and lasting impact.

Q. Should I apply?

A. YES! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Q. Can I submit more than one application?

A. Yes! individuals/ teams can submit more than one application, so please do submit more ideas if you have them! We understand that you may be brimming with ideas so we don’t want to limit creative thinking. However, it is important to remember that we are looking for quality over quantity!

Q. Can you provide any tips to improve my application?

A. Don’t under sell yourself in the application form where it asks you to tell us about yourself or your team. Try to capture as much information about your journey in submitting the idea; where did your inspiration for the idea come from? Draw from personal or professional experience and include any skills or experience you have that will help your idea become a reality.

Q. Will there only be one winner for the Bonanza?

A. Only one team will win the £2,000 of seed investment. However all 10 shortlisted teams will leave the Bonanza event with input from specialist experts in areas such as Public Health, Innovation, Community Engagement and Business Modelling in addition to the opportunity to network and think creatively about their idea. Young Foundation may wish to work with a number of the finalists post the Bonanza to help ensure they continue their journey.

Q. What type of support does Young Foundation provide? A. The Young Foundation provides seed investment and a range of non-financial support including concept development, business modelling, specialist expertise in innovation in the NHS, venture growth, scalability, sustainability, impact measurement, community engagement, ethnographic research, mentoring and much more.

Q. Who has Young Foundation’s Social Entrepreneur in Residence (SEiR) supported to date?

A. The SEiR has supported three fantastic Birmingham based social enterprises to secure NHS Commissioned revenue, strengthen their business model and raise their profiles via ‘Health Service Journal Awards 2010’ and ‘Community in Partnership Awards 2009’.

To find more information visit:

Start Again Project CIC

Saheli Women’s Group

If you have a question regarding the Bonanza that isn’t answered above, simply call Eleanor or drop and mail details below.

And from me Good Luck!

Eleanor Cappell
Social Entrepreneur in Residence (SEiR) (NHS Birmingham East and North)

Direct: 0208 709 4823 (Monday) 0121 380 9019 (Tue – Fri)
Mobile: +44 (0) 7956 317 236
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SEiR_NHS_BEN
Website: http://bensgottalent.wordpress.com
Switchboard: +44 (0) 20 8980 6263