Spotlight on Social Business Wales
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Social businesses in mid-Wales which want to expand or take on more employees could be eligible for free support from Social Business Wales. SBW is a project which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government and is delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre.
Social Business Wales can help with a wide variety of challenges – from VAT advice to visioning, from business planning to board development and from sales strategy to stakeholder engagement! The project is designed to assist social businesses which are looking to grow, whether that’s through increasing their turnover, diversifying into new products or services, attracting new customers or changing their structure. The support comes from the Wales Co-operative Centre, an organisation which has been helping co-operatives and social enterprises for nearly 40 years. Its expert team of Business Advisors are backed up by specialist consultants in areas including HR, law, finance and marketing.
Social Business Wales can help with a wide variety of challenges – from VAT advice to visioning, from business planning to board development and from sales strategy to stakeholder engagement! The project is designed to assist social businesses which are looking to grow, whether that’s through increasing their turnover, diversifying into new products or services, attracting new customers or changing their structure. The support comes from the Wales Co-operative Centre, an organisation which has been helping co-operatives and social enterprises for nearly 40 years. Its expert team of Business Advisors are backed up by specialist consultants in areas including HR, law, finance and marketing.
Q. We are delighted that your are sponsoring the Best Third Sector Award. What drew you to these awards?
The tourism sector is crucial to the economy in mid-Wales and we know that there are some fantastic third sector organisations, including trusts, charities and social enterprises, which are running tourism businesses and visitor attractions. These organisations are creating employment and volunteering opportunities, preserving our heritage, strengthening our culture and making a valuable contribution to local economies. We felt it was important to recognise and celebrate this amazing sector.
The tourism sector is crucial to the economy in mid-Wales and we know that there are some fantastic third sector organisations, including trusts, charities and social enterprises, which are running tourism businesses and visitor attractions. These organisations are creating employment and volunteering opportunities, preserving our heritage, strengthening our culture and making a valuable contribution to local economies. We felt it was important to recognise and celebrate this amazing sector.
Q. Please tell us a bit about the Wales Co-operative Centre and Social Business Wales for anyone that might not have worked with you before.
The Wales Co-operative Centre was set up way back in 1982 to help communities come together to set up co-operative businesses. We’re now the biggest co-operative development agency in the UK. We’re proud to deliver the Social Business Wales project, which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Regional development Fund, and provides business support to social businesses which want to create jobs, expand into new markets and grow. We also provide support to private sector businesses which need advice on succession planning and want to transition to employee-ownership. Another key area of work is raising awareness of social businesses amongst the general public, and every year we deliver a campaign called Social Summer. This campaign encourages people to support museums, zoos, parks, leisure centres and other visitor attractions which are run by social businesses. We want to tell people how £1 spent at a social business stays in the community and supports good causes.
The Wales Co-operative Centre was set up way back in 1982 to help communities come together to set up co-operative businesses. We’re now the biggest co-operative development agency in the UK. We’re proud to deliver the Social Business Wales project, which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Regional development Fund, and provides business support to social businesses which want to create jobs, expand into new markets and grow. We also provide support to private sector businesses which need advice on succession planning and want to transition to employee-ownership. Another key area of work is raising awareness of social businesses amongst the general public, and every year we deliver a campaign called Social Summer. This campaign encourages people to support museums, zoos, parks, leisure centres and other visitor attractions which are run by social businesses. We want to tell people how £1 spent at a social business stays in the community and supports good causes.
Q. When did the company start and how has it evolved over the years?
The Centre has grown dramatically since it started almost 40 years ago. As well as supporting co-operatives and social businesses, our work also helps create more inclusive communities. Our projects support social care co-operatives, co-operative and community-led housing, digital inclusion and community shares. What motivates us is the belief that we’re creating a better, fairer, more co-operative Wales
The Centre has grown dramatically since it started almost 40 years ago. As well as supporting co-operatives and social businesses, our work also helps create more inclusive communities. Our projects support social care co-operatives, co-operative and community-led housing, digital inclusion and community shares. What motivates us is the belief that we’re creating a better, fairer, more co-operative Wales
Q. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting a social enterprise?
Social enterprises are businesses, and they trade just like any other business. The difference is that instead of the profits being given to an owner or external shareholders, they’re re-invested in the business or used for a social purpose. The sector is constantly evolving and is now playing a vital role in providing local goods and services, creating jobs and regenerating communities. I would encourage anyone with a business idea - where people and planet are as important as profit - to contact the Wales Co-operative Centre and see if we can help.
Social enterprises are businesses, and they trade just like any other business. The difference is that instead of the profits being given to an owner or external shareholders, they’re re-invested in the business or used for a social purpose. The sector is constantly evolving and is now playing a vital role in providing local goods and services, creating jobs and regenerating communities. I would encourage anyone with a business idea - where people and planet are as important as profit - to contact the Wales Co-operative Centre and see if we can help.
