Information & Advice
Local organisations providing information and advice to support social enterprises in West Sussex
The following organisations are members of the West Sussex Social Enterprise Steering Group, and are working in partnership to develop the West Sussex Social Enterprise Network.
Action in rural Sussex
Action in rural Sussex is a charity aiming to identify problems and to respond to the needs of rural communities - providing practical help and helping villages in Sussex remain vibrant living and working places.
In addition to our practical work with rural communities, we champion their needs wherever policy is being made that will affect them. We provide a range of services, including advice to village halls, childrens' and young peoples' services, guidance to parish councils and community development, work with older and isolated people and championing access to services in rural areas.
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH
United Kingdom
T: 01273 473 422
W: www.ruralsussex.org.uk
Brighton University
Nick Rodgers is the University of Brighton’s Business Development Manager in Sussex. The role is outward facing, working with organisations to improve their capacity and skills and deliver some of the projects run by the University.
Nick also runs the Social Enterprise Profit Net network in Sussex, supporting organisations with advice and funding sources to deliver new and innovative projects across the county.
Centrim
University of Brighton
Falmer Complex
Brighton
BN2 1LR
T: 07983 443556
E: n.rodgers@brighton.ac.uk
Business Link
Business Link is a national business information, advice and support service that is dedicated to helping businesses and budding entrepreneurs to develop and progress.
Delivered locally in Sussex, we have a team of impartial, highly trained business advisers who can advise on any stage of a company development, talk you through the available options and advise on the best course of action for your company.
We are non-exclusive and support businesses from all industry sectors, including social enterprises, and have a comprehensive website – www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast – which has a variety of online tools designed to help businesses at various stages of development.
These include tools to assess what computer requirements a start-up might need, to create a personal development plan or to get your tax calculated. Leaflets are also available online advising on innovation, exporting, HR and other business requirements.
The website is an excellent place to start for anyone looking for information, but it is not designed to replace professional advice.
To discuss how an adviser could help your business, call 0845 600 9 006
Business Link
Greenacre Court
Station Road
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9DS
T: 0845 600 9 006
W: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast
Councils for Voluntary Service (CVSs) across West Sussex
The West Sussex CVS is represented within the Steering Group by Julia Carrette, Worthing CVS, 3rd Floor, Colonnade House, Warwick Street, Worthing BN11 3DH. Tel: 01903 528620. Email: julia.wvcs@btconnect.com
There are over 300 CVSs across England and their core functions are:
- capacity building advice, consultancy, support and training to voluntary and community organisations
- developing channels of communication within and between voluntary and community organisations and between them and the public and private sector
- identification and support for identification of unmet need and developing services (projects) in the community which can meet that need (and which may go on to become independent organisations)
- strategic partnership development, representation and enabling representation
- dissemination of information and support for networks which maximise resources and enhance the role of the CVS in setting, shaping and delivering the 'agenda'.
ICIS
ICIS is a social enterprise providing information resources to support the health, wellbeing and independence of people in West Sussex. Working with and on behalf of the voluntary, statutory and independent sectors, ICIS facilitates access to information for the public and service providers via a freephone Enquiry Line, newsletters, e-bulletins and online databases.
ICIS produces the monthly West Sussex Social Enterprise e-Bulletin and maintains the WSSEN website on behalf of the West Sussex Social Enterprise Network.
T: 01903 859929
E: admin@icis-info4life.org.uk
W: www.icis-info4life.org.uk
Regional County Networks Co-ordinator
The aim of the Regional County Networks Co-ordinator is to facilitate a partnership of 10 local networks throughout the South East to deliver value-creating activities and resources for social enterprise
Contact details: Rachel Crossey, Operational Development Manager, SE² Partnership
c/o Astolat, Coniers Way, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7HL
T: 0845 450 3991
E: info@se2partnership.co.uk
W: www.se2partnership.co.uk
West Sussex Voluntary Organisations Liaison Group (VOLG)
VOLG reflects the interests and promotes the development of the voluntary and community sector through sustainable development and the social inclusion of all people in West Sussex.
Contact details:
Development Officer
T: 01403 787940
E: admin@volg.org.uk
W: www.volg.org.uk
West Sussex County Council Economic Strategy Group
Partners from the West Sussex Social Enterprise Network work together to deliver the West Sussex Social Enterprise Action Plan. The aim of this is to reinforce the existing infrastructure which is available for social enterprise support in West Sussex.
The WSSEN project is managed at WSCC by Ana Fajardo, Economic Development Manager, Economic Strategy Group, Customers & Commmunities, West Sussex County Council.
3rd Floor, The Grange
Tower Street
Chichester
PO19 1RH
T: 01243 777606
E: ana.fajardo@westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex County Council Adults and Children
Adult Services aims to develop relationships with the Voluntary and Community Sector for the future commissioning and delivery of social care in West Sussex. Contact details:
seth.gottesman@westsussex.gov.uk, Project Development Officer - Voluntary & Community Sector, Adults & Children, West Sussex County Council.
Sussex House
12 Crane Street
Chichester PO19 1LJ
T: 01243 752167
M: 07921291091
E: seth.gottesman@westsussex.gov.uk
Who we work with
Social Enterprise South East (SE² Partnership)
The SE² Partnership is the social enterprise support body for the South East.
SE² Partnership’s mission is to provide a flexible, dynamic and sustainable infrastructure which will effectively enable the growth of social enterprise impact in the South East. Its values are mutuality, entrepreneurship and local delivery.