Useful Contacts & Links
Here you can find regional and UK sources of information and support for social enterprise.
For local information and contacts see the Information and Advice page within the WSSEN Support section.
Charities Commission
The Charities Commission is the regulator for charities in England and Wales. Its mission is to help charities maximise their impact; encourage innovation and effectiveness; ensure compliance with legal obligations and to champion the public’s interest in charity. For more information on the Charity Commission, visit http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk
CIC regulator
Community Interest Companies (CIC) are limited companies with special additional features, created for people who want to run a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. The CIC Regulator is the body that approves the registration of a company as a CIC. The regulator also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role. For more information on CICs and the CIC regulator, visit www.cicregulator.gov.uk
Companies House
The main functions of Companies House are to:
- Incorporate and dissolve limited companies
- Examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation
- Make this information available to the public
Visit their website at: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/index.shtml
Department of Health Social Enterprise Policy
DH site on commissioning health care services for social enterprises. For further information, visit http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Organisationpolicy/Commissioning/Socialenterprise/index.htm
Office of the Civil Society
Cabinet Office with responsibility for national policy on social enterprise. For more information, visit the site.
Plunkett Foundation
The Plunkett Foundation is an educational charity that supports the development of worldwide rural group enterprise. The Foundation, based near Oxford, draws on 80 years of practical experience working with partners from the private sector to promote and implement economic self-help solutions to rural problems. Its aim is to improve rural livelihoods through co-operation and social enterprise. For further information, visit www.plunkett.co.uk
SEASON Project
The 'SEASON' project is led by Co-operatives South East and in collaboration with ESSEN and the se² partnership.
'SEASON' is funded by Capacitybuilders and seeks to improve support for social enterprises in the South East through the creation, establishment and development of a regional network for social enterprise advisers. The network will be driven forwards by the social enterprise advisers, who will access the network to attend regular meetings where best practice is shared, hot topics are addressed and continual professional development is achieved. For further information and downloadable content, please follow the link: http://www.se2partnership.co.uk/capacity-builders.asp?p=53
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 that will effectively enable the growth of social enterprise impact in the South East. Its values are mutuality, entrepreneurship and local delivery. The SE² Networks Co-ordinator works with WSSEN to improve the flow of information, resources and business opportunities between West Sussex and the region. For more information, visit http://se2partnership.co.uk
Social Enterprise UK
Social Enterprise UK is the UK's national body for social enterprise. It provides a national platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise; shares best practice and is effective in creating a dynamic environment for social enterprise. Social Enterprise UK is committed to supporting all forms of social enterprise, and to making sure social enterprises can support and learn from each other. To find out more about Social Enterprise UK, visit www.socialenterprise.org.uk (formerly known as the Social Enterprise Coalition).
Social Enterprise Live
Is a website and Monthly magazine dedicated to bringing together news and information for a range of individuals and organisations in the social enterprise movement.
Social Enterprise aims to be an engaging, informative and useful resource for business people who are passionate about changing lives, building communities and nurturing the environment. It is published by London Fields Publishing Ltd, a joint venture between Society Media and Glock Design. Visit their website at: http://www.socialenterpriselive.com/about-us
Third Sector Magazine
Online magazine with news, analysis and opinions for social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations. For more information, visit http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Channels/SocialEnterprise/
West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership
Helping you to cut costs and protect the environment. The West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership offers FREE support to businesses within West Sussex to help them adopt sustainable business practices and cut costs through improving waste minimisation, energy and water efficiency. For more information visit www.westsussexsbp.org.uk