Wolverhampton Social Enterprise Network to be re-launched!
17/04/2008
The intention to re-launch the network was announced at a social enterprise conference held to raise awareness of the business model in Wolverhampton.
‘Social Enterprise - The Real Story’ - was attended by nearly 100 delegates and included presentations from Social Enterprise Ambassador Martin Kinsella, Jay Patel (Wolverhampton Economic Partnership), Mike Swain (ASAN), and welcome addresses from Kevin Maton (SEWM), Marilyn Burrill (TLC) and Rod Sheppard (Wolverhampton Learning Partnership).
Given the level of interest, a call for new members to join and revitalise the local network was made by conference organiser Mahmood Khan (TLC College), and Mike Swain - a founder member of the network.
Sponsored by the SEWM 'Illuminate' programme, the conference culminated in a Q&A session with delegates identifying the need for support in:
Legal structures for social enterprise
Sources of start-up finance/funding
Initiatives targeting BME groups and new communities
Exploring and developing social enterprise ideas
Working collaboratively
Annette Pearson (Black Country Consortium) also announced that new baseline data about social enterprises in the sub-region would soon be available to inform how the sector can move forward.
TLC College and Wolverhampton Learning Partnership are now planning a series of follow up workshops incorporating suggestions from event delegates.