Social Enterprise Works aims ‘to support, develop and promote the social economy by maximising the positive benefits of enterprise’.
We have been providing business advice and support to the social economy in the Bristol area for thirteen years.Until November 2006, we were known as Bristol Area Community Enterprise Network (BACEN). We changed our name not because we have changed what we do but because we felt the name Social Enterprise Works said what we do and what we believe; that Social Enterprise Works.
What are social enterprises?
The Department of Trade and industry defines social enterprises as “businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners” (Social enterprise: a strategy for Success – Dti 2001)
Social Enterprise Works subscribes to the Dti definition of social enterprise. We support the development of not for private profit trading activities owned by identifiable communities. These can be geographical communities or communities of interest.
What we do:
Social Enterprise Works provides guidance and practical business development assistance to prospective, newly formed and established not-for-private-profit social enterprises during critical periods of their start up and development.
Social Enterprise Works helps convert the untapped potential of these individuals and community groups into successful social enterprises that improve the lives and environment of communities.
We are a social enterprise ourselves and our values of empowerment, sustainability, accountability and equality inform the way we deliver our services. We offer a professional service which seeks to empower clients and promote sustainability. We continuously seek to respond to client needs and improve our services.
Owned and run by you
Social Enterprise Works is a membership organisation. A Company Limited by Guarantee, it is owned and accountable to its members. We currently have 174 members. Check out the online social business directory to find out more about goods and services our members have to offer.
Delivering services in partnership
We are delivering services to our sector with the support of Bristol City Council, we manage a large multi funded programme to enable the development of a Bristol Citywide credit union (Bristol Credit Union), we have a number of contractual relationships including with Community at Heart. We also work with the Bristol ChangeUp consortium to deliver development services to the sector. In addition we receive excellent pro bono services from solicitors Burges Salmon.
Our thanks go to all our supporters and funders.
