About Us
We are a group of organisations that provide countywide infrastructure support for social enterprise in West Sussex. We promote and raise the profile of social enterprise amongst funders, statutory bodies and potential customers and seek to identify all social enterprises across West Sussex and their support needs. WSSEN and its activities are funded by West Sussex County Council. We are collating details of social enterprises in West Sussex on our directory. For further information on WSSEN members, and local information and advice providers, click here.
A few things about WSSEN
Set up in July 2005 to help SEEDA deliver their regional strategy on social enterprise at local level. We are one of nine networks across the region.
We are members of se2 partnership (social enterprise south east) which is the regional network for social enterprise support and promotion. Se2 partnership links with Social Enterprise Coalition and government departments.
WSSEN is managed by a steering group which includes: Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), Business Link (local), Action in rural Sussex, ICIS Information 4 Life, West Sussex VOLG, University of Brighton, Sussex Partnership Trust (recently joined), West Sussex County Council.
West Sussex County Council funds the activities delivered by WSSEN.
We work to an action plan to be renewed this year. Overarching objectives are: to promote social enterprise and to create an environment that enables social enterprises.
What has WSSEN done so far
A mapping of the sector in 2006,currently being refreshed by a survey (survey monkey), which is also building a directory at the same time.
Website www.wssen.org.uk with information on events, training, support opportunities, procurement, case studies, information materials and the directory.
Monthly e-bulletin.
Provision of one to one support from qualified social enterprise advisers. Outside Business Link but in connection with them- referrals given and taken. This year 55 social enterprises have been supported so far.
Participate in events as required raising the profile of social enterprise.
Lobbying and influence to make sure social enterprise is taken into account either as an important tool to achieve healthy communities and wealthy local economy or as a stakeholder group
Focus groups with social enterprise to keep in touch with their needs.
Third year running social enterprise innovation award.
Training for social enterprises and infrastructure organisations such as the CVSs.
What else is WSSEN working on
We are part of a consortium delivering a Capacity Builders project called the Better Project (see Supporting Information on Procurement page) to improve accounting of social impact amongst social enterprises and use this information to produce better tenders and to enhance the knowledge of procurers and commissioners
Development of peer to peer network support
Delivery of workshops to promote green business practices (in partnership with the West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership)
Development of pro bono network
WSSEN is part of SE² (Social Enterprise South East) www.se2partnership.co.uk, the regional network, and work closely with them for the promotion of social enterprise in the South East. Read more about SE² work [PDF 45kb] (which is under development) here.