Working with you
Social Enterprise Works values its membership and recognises that they are at the very heart of, and inform and steer us in everything we do. Like other social enterprises, Social Enterprise Works is run on open and democratic principles. We are run by a Board elected from our membership. It is free to join Social Enterprise Works and we welcome anyone as a member that has an interest in, or who is involved with social enterprise.
Social Enterprise Works has three types of membership
Full membership – open to existing and developing social economy organisations in Bristol and the West of England. This includes social enterprises, community owned businesses, development trusts and credit unions with a mix of trading, social and community activities and objectives. Full members can vote at Social Enterprise Works AGM.
Associate membership – is for advisory and support organisations with a direct interest in social enterprise.
Individual membership – is open to anyone who agrees to support the aims and work of Social Enterprise Works.
Download a Social Enterprise Works Membership application form (Word doc)
All members have access to a range of services and benefits including:
Information, advice, and support for your social enterprise
Social Enterprise Works has a team of skilled advisers who offer advice and practical support on business planning, management, performance improvement and development. Between April 2006 and March 2007 Social Enterprise Works gave support to 115 social businesses.
We have also worked with 97 organisations as part of the C3 partnership, offering intensive support over a three year period (project finished December 2007).
September 11th saw the production of the eleventh ‘Guide to Social Businesses‘. Produced by Social Enterprise Works and the CDA (Brave Ltd) in association with Venue magazine. It was a celebration of our sector, featuring, as ever the amazing diversity of social enterprises, and over the 11 years of its publication gives us a real sense of how our sector has grown and changed, and how we can be proud to promote the enterprises to the wider public to encourage trade and use of their services.
Information about social enterprise
Social Enterprise Works aims to send members relevant and current information regarding social enterprise events and opportunities. To this end we are active members of the regional social enterprise network - RISE and the national body - The Social Enterprise Coalition. Elaine Flint represents Social Enterprise Works and our membership on the RISE Board. This means that we are able to influence the regional agenda and disseminate information on events and opportunities to our members.
We also organised on behalf of the ChangeUp consortium the dynamic and successful ‘New Ways to grow’ conference, this conference had both a local and national focus, looking at key areas of potential growth and change within the sector, including social franchising, intellectual property rights, contracting with the private sector and developing sustainable income streams. Over 40 delegates were inspired by presentations from Community Action Network, TBD Enterprise, The Care Forum, Complimentary Health Care Clinic, and Knowle West Media Centre.
