Hello…is there anyone out there? Well done if you’ve actually gone into work and you’re reading this at your desk. I know you’re going to spend the day doing some last minute online shopping and doing Buzzfeed quizzes but at least you’re there. If, on the other hand, you’re one of those people who has suddenly started ‘working’ from home a lot more in the run up to Christmas don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Good episode of Frasier this morning?
This will be the final Have I Got Social Enterprise News For You of 2018. I was ill last Friday so it’s actually a double edition – good news if you are sat in the office counting down the minutes and need something to take up a bit of time. (Once you’ve finished reading this, you might like to take a look over here. Should see you through until 5.).
For now, however, all that remains to be said is have a fantastic Christmas and New Year. Thank you all for reading / complaining / contributing to this newsletter over the past twelve months and I’ll see you again in 2019.
Enjoy the holidays!
It’s a date
We’ve opened applications to our Community Business Trade Up Programme, run in partnership with Power to Change. Between June 2019 and March 2020 we’ll support the growth of 80 organisations in England that are focused on improving their local area. You’ll receive a fully-funded learning programme along with a Match Trading grant of up to £10,000. The deadline to apply is 14th February, and nothing says ‘Valentine’s Day’ quite like filling in an application form to come on a course at SSE.
Playing the field
But what’s this? A rival for your attention on Valentine’s Day, because it’s also the closing date to enter the NatWest SE100 Social Business Awards 2019, recognising 100 of the UK’s most successful social enterprises. As well as selecting the leading social businesses, the panel of judges will also select one champion for each of seven categories: Growth, Impact, Trailblazing Newcomer, Resilience, Storyteller, Investment and Leadership.
The awards will take place on 28th March 2019.
Like London buses
I know, I know. You wait all year for the opportunity to enter an index of social entrepreneurs and then two come along at once. The UBS UK Social Entrepreneur Index is a celebration of entrepreneurs running businesses with social purposes, with the aim of providing recognition whilst also acting as a benchmark for good practice to inspire the next generation’.
Now, I’m off to create an index of social entrepreneur indexes.
Look to the future now it’s only just begun
It’s that time of year when people wiser than I start reflecting on the year that we’ve had and looking forward to the year ahead. The boffins at Nesta have put their fingers in the wind and come up with ten trends, tech breakthroughs and social movements for 2019. The list includes the end of the week as we know it, a random approach to innovation, and superbugs. 2019 sounds a lot like working at SSE.
Light up, light up
I was lucky enough to sit in on a speaker session by Mariama Kamara, SSE Fellow and founder of Smiling Through Light on a workshop the other day. Smiling Through Light distribute solar powered lamps through Sierra Leone, reducing the reliance on kerosene lamps and other dangerous lighting options. Mariama has launched a One Child One Light campaign providing school children in Sierra Leone with solar lamps that are clean, bright and eco-friendly. This will help students continue their studies at night, reduce exposure to harmful fumes and improve their academic performance.
A £20 donation will pay for one light, giving on average 1000 hours of additional study time to a child. If you fancy doing something charitable this Christmas why not buy a light?
If you’d like to donate, you can do so here
Turns out you actually can get owt for nowt.
Co-op and the rather Orwellian sounding The Federation are offering support to early-stage social enterprises that are using technology and innovation to benefit communities in the UK. Based in Manchester, The Federation can provide up to four free co-working desks and free use of meeting rooms and events spaces. To apply, your organisation need four staff or fewer.
New year, new you?
If your new year’s resolution is to boost your career and your management skills then good on you. Anglia Ruskin University may have just the thing – a two year, part-time, accredited course in leadership and management tailor-made for up and coming social sector leaders. Delivered via distance learning, supported with face to face workshops (held in London), the Cert HE in Charity & Social Enterprise Management has produced 120 graduates from across the UK since 2013. The next intake for the course, which covers everything from finance to marketing, HR to impact, is in late January 2019.
Find out more here or email the course team: [email protected].
The revolution begins in…Bristol
SSE Fellow Helen James is hosting a New Year’s Revolution in Bristol on Saturday 29th December. The event is designed to empower body confidence and promote Health at Every Size, helping you to find food and body ease. According to Helen, the event will help you have ‘fun in that lull between Xmas and New Year; prepping your sassiest self to embrace whatever the world is bringing you next!’.
Now listen here
SSE Fellow Kathryn Kimbley features on the latest Strategy Made Simple podcast. Kathryn runs Humania CIC, an animal assisted therapy social enterprise. On the podcast Kathryn talks about her personal story of getting into social enterprise, what it looks like for people to participate in animal assisted therapy, and how social enterprises might be able to incorporate animals into their operations.
You can listen to the podcast here
Does what it says on the tin
Our head of comms Sophie has put together a cracking list of sources of learning for social entrepreneurs over on the Good Finance website. Short and sweet.
Rag and bone
I saw an actual rag and bone man in Bermondsey the other week, horse and cart and everything. I reckon that’s the first time since 1985. Anyhow, if your charity or social enterprise is looking for good quality furniture, equipment and materials then a Bristol based organisation called Collecteco may be able to help. They clear out commercial organisations and then donate reusable furniture, equipment and materials to good causes. There’s a slight caveat in that beyond that I know very little about them but it could be worth further investigation.
Bored of your job? Here’s our jobs board
Finally, if you’re going to be using the Christmas period to try and escape your current work situation here are a few opportunities that might appeal:
SSE Fellow Eve Hepburn is looking for an Operations Manager, a Business Development Manager and an Administrative Officer for her organisation Fearless Femme CIC based in Edinburgh. Fearless Femme is a nonprofit mental health project, online magazine and creative community trying to to empower feminists of all genders to overcome stress, anxiety and all the challenges that life throws at them. You can find out more here.
Regular SSE speaker Holly Whelan needs a dedicated, enthusiastic and motivated Executive Assistant and Office Manager for her organisation Younger Lives, based in Tooting. It’s a part time (28 hours) role paying £32,000-£36,000 (pro rata). Find out more here.
Friends of SSE Paper Arts CIC are looking for a looking for a Part-time Community and Operations Manager for their coworking space in Bristol. The Community and Operations Manager is instrumental in responding to new enquiries and keeping coworking members happy, as well as simultaneously ensuring workspaces stay welcoming and productive by managing the building & facilities. A job spec is available here.
And SSE Fellow Naomi Long Srikrotriam is recruiting both a PA (£21k) and a Student Support Co-ordinator (£25k) for her organisation Treasure House CIC on the Old Kent Road, London. Treasure House teach young people aged 14-19 how to love learning again after poor experiences in mainstream education.
The PA will support the efficient running of the school ensuring that the Headteachers are organised and not overwhelmed with admin and might work partially from home. The Student Support Coordinator will liaise with parents, professionals and staff members at the school to improve and track attendance, guide access to support services and ensure each day runs smoothly. For further details, please email [email protected]
Want to receive this in your inbox every Friday morning? Sign up here
What’s on at SSE:
- Measuring Social Impact, London, 14th and 15th Jan (sold out, other dates available)
- Crowdfunding for Charities and Social Enterprises, London, 18th Jan
- How to Create an Authentic Mission Led Brand, London, 22nd Jan
- Handling Difficult Conversations, London, 5th Feb
- Writing Successful Bids, London, 13th Feb
