Confirmed Exhibitors

A4e Ltd
St James House, Vicar Lane, Sheffield, S1 2EX
Tel: 0114 223 6692
Email: jelliston@a4e.co.uk
Web: www.a4e.co.uk

A4e has grown over the last 20 years from a small enterprise supporting unemployed people in Sheffield, to an international provider of employment, training and advice services. An ethically driven business, we buy from, fund, and partner with 3rd sector organisations throughout Europe. We are keen to meet and develop partnerships with organisations who share our objective: 'Improving People's Lives'.

The Foundation for Social Improvement combats social exclusion by building and sharing knowledge within the Third Sector. We help small to medium sized organisations become more effective, facilitating this work by networking skills with support from our donors.

Accenture
Email: donna.drysdale@accenture.com
Web: www.accenture.com

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources - 170,000 people in 49 countries - and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilise the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. As a leading corporate organisation we have a clear responsibility to our communities and to society at large. The health, stability and diversity of our communities affects us all and Accenture UK is at the forefront of creating positive and lasting change. Guided by our community objectives, we aim to promote positive social transformation by working with community partners that share our vision of a sustainable, diverse and skilled society. Importantly, our people are committed to contributing to this vision. During 2008 we will seek new ways to place corporate citizenship at the heart of our business through giving our time and skills, our structured financial giving, the initiatives we have in place to create a workforce that is representative of society at large and by continuing to assess and reduce our environmental impact.

acevo is a support organisation for Third Sector leaders – for chief
executives of voluntary, social enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and charities. We have over 2,000 members. Acevo's aims are to develop, connect and represent third sector leaders. In turn, these aims are met by offering professional development and peer learning opportunities; providing informal networking events and a members directory available to all members; and lobbying the UK government on behalf of its members.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
134 Edmund Street
Birmingham
B3 2ES
Tel: 0121 200 7420
Email: david.alcock@anthonycollins.com
Web: www.anthonycollins.com

We believe in community engagement, regeneration, and the power of social enterprise to transform communities through trade. We are committed to the sector.

We can:

• Advise on governance and legal structures, including Community Interest Companies
• Structure joint ventures or responses to commissioning
• Work with you to maximise procurement opportunities
• Deliver training for social enterprises and support bodies
• Refine your business plan and develop your ideas
• Ensure that finance documents comply with the Consumer Credit Act
• Give you practical help with contracts and employment issues

Come and talk to David Alcock, Simon Lee or Mark Cook and find out more.

Bank of Scotland Community Banking
38 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YZ
Tel: 0845 608 0472
Email: communitybanking@bankofscotland.co.uk
Web: www.bankofscotland.co.uk/communitybanking

Bank of Scotland Community Banking, specialise in the provision of Banking services across the Third Sector.

Through our understanding of the issues that Social Enterprises face on a day to day basis as well as addressing their banking arrangements, we have created tailored banking packages to address these needs - covering:

1. Current Accounts
2. Deposits
3. Internet Banking
4. Loan Finance

Visit us at our stand for further information or contact us as above.

Bank of Scotland Community Banking is part of the HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland) Group.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
2-6 Cannon Street
London EC4M 6YH
Tel: 020 7551 7777
Fax: 020 7551 7800
Email: mail@bwbllp.com
Web: www.bwbllp.com

BWB is recognised as being one of the leading charity and social enterprise law practices. We advise on commercial, employment, immigration, intellectual property, dispute resolution and property matters. We have particular expertise in the arts, health, education and the environment. With 150 staff and partners, we are large enough to provide a complete range of commercial services, but small enough to provide a personal service to every client.

The Big Life group
123 Moss Lane East, Manchester M15 5DD
Tel: 0161 227 0200
Email: info@thebiglifecompany.com
Web: www.thebiglifegroup.com

The Big Life group creates opportunities for people to change their lives for the better. Over the next 5 years The Big Life group will become one of the largest social businesses in the country and will be demonstrating the added value that social enterprise can offer. Our mission is to change the world.

The Big Life group includes The Big Issue in the North, The Big Life Company, Aisha Childcare, Big Life Employment, Self Help Services and Big Life Centres such as the Kath Locke Centre, Stockport Well Being Centre, Zion Community Resource and Healthy Living Centres in Salford.

The Big Lottery Fund
Tel: 0845 4 10 20 30
Web: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for distributing half of the funding that the National Lottery raises for good causes.

Since BIG launched in June 2004, we have been rolling out grants benefiting communities across the UK. BIG has given an undertaking that 60-70 per cent of all its funding will go to voluntary and community organisations. So far, 84 per cent of funding under BIG’s new programmes has gone to the sector. This represents the largest percentage of Lottery money ever.

BIG has taken a number of steps to improve how Lottery funding is distributed. We have adopted the principle of full cost recovery and have advocated this practice amongst other funders. We have also extended our funding from three to five years.

To find out more, please visit us at our stand.

Blackburne House Group
Blackburne House, Blackburne Place
Off Hope Street, Liverpool, L8 7PE
Tel: 0151 709 4356
Web: www.blackburnehouse.co.uk

Blackburne House is a pioneer for social entrepreneurship and is one of the UK’s leading social enterprises. Our business portfolio enables us to address the various needs of the local community whilst enabling us to run a sustainable enterprise model. We share our experiences by supporting and developing local people and organisations to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to fulfil newly enhanced expectations and aspirations.

Blackburne House is home to a Beacon status education centre and the first School for Social Entrepreneurs in Liverpool. Additional award winning social enterprises included in our business portfolio include; Blackburne House Enterprise, providing invaluable personal and professional development opportunities, Brava Design, a graphic and website design company, a cafe bar, conference centre, women only health suite and a fun and diverse nursery.

Brava Design
Blackburne House
Blackburne Place
Liverpool L8 7P
Tel: 0151 707 3960
Email: stephanie.ward@bravadesign.co.uk
Web: www.bravadesign.co.uk

Brava Design is an award winning social enterprise providing innovative and cost effective graphic and web design solutions to the Third Sector and beyond. Brava Design is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Blackburne House Group created to help deliver on the Blackburne House Group Values, Equality, Transformation, Inspiration and Independence. In addition to producing high quality work for Futurebuilders England, Capacitybuilders and The Red Cross, Brava works with small third sector organisations and SME's. As well as providing training and industry experience for women, equipping them with the skills and confidence to work in the design industry, Brava Design shares its experience of the sector with our clients and helps them overcome the barriers to effective communication.

Cabinet Office
Office of the Third Sector,
35 Great Smith Street,
London SW1P 3BQ
Tel: 020 7276 6400
Email: OTS.info@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

The Office of the Third Sector is responsible for supporting and developing government policy for the third sector including voluntary and community organisations, charities and social enterprise. We are part of the Cabinet Office, in the centre of government, in recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy.

Our vision

A thriving third sector, enabling people to change society.

Our aims

Our overarching aim is to:

• Develop an environment which enables the third sector to thrive, growing in its contribution to Britain's society, economy and environment.

Our thematic aims are to work in partnership with the sector to:

• Enable campaigning and empowerment, particularly for those at risk of social exclusion.
• Strengthen communities, drawing together people from different sections of society.
• Transform public services, through delivery, design, innovation and campaigning.
• Enable social enterprise growth and development, combining business and social goals.

Our role

We deliver on our aims by:

• Driving action to improve government and third sector partnership working, such as promoting the Compact.
• Funding programmes to support the sector's development, such as Capacitybuilders and Futurebuilders.
• Ensuring a good regulatory environment for the sector, such as the implementation of the Charities Act 2006.
• Developing the evidence base and analysis of the sector, in work such as the Citizenship Survey, to better inform the work of the Government and third sector.

Capacitybuilders
77 Paradise Circus
Birmingham B1 2DT
Tel: 0121 237 5100
Email: info@capacitybuilders.org.uk
Web: www.capacitybuilders.org.uk

Improving support for a stronger third sector.
Capacitybuilders exists to help create a more effective third sector. We do this by working to improve support for third sector organisations.

We firmly believe that this is an effective way of strengthening the sector, so that it can build on the good work it is already doing and achieve more, delivering a better quality of life for individuals and communities.

Support includes a wide range of services that help organisations become more effective. Services can include information, training and more, covering areas ranging from income generation through to governance.

CCLA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED
80 Cheapside
London EC2V 6DZ
Tel: 0844 561 5024
Email: clientservices@ccla.co.uk
Web: www.ccla.co.uk

CCLA provides the broadest range of investment funds designed specifically for the Third Sector. We are owned by our charity and not for profit clients, and manage our business entirely for their benefit. This puts us in a unique position to help them achieve their aspirations and enable trustees to meet their obligations. As pioneers of socially responsible investment, we are committed to promoting a positive agenda for change.

CCLA Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

CEiS
Moorpark Court, 5 Dava Street
Glasgow, G51 2JA
Tel: 0141 425 2920
Email: fiona.ross@ceis.org.uk
Web: www.ceis.org.uk

CEiS is the foremost social enterprise development agency in Scotland, employing the largest and most experienced team of social enterprise business advisers in the UK.

CEiS in partnership with Scottish Government, international and local partners are hosting the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh from September 2nd – 5th 2008.

The event examines conditions needed for social enterprises to thrive, highlighting outstanding examples of innovation and best practice from around the world. The forum will discuss how social enterprises can develop in the face of changing world and local markets, emerging with shared actions to improve sustainability and increase social impact.

Charity Bank
Tel: 01732 774050
Email: enquiries@charitybank.org
Web: www.charitybank.org

Charity Bank is the only not-for-profit bank in the UK. It has a mission: to transform the future of charities, by providing them with the financial and business support they need to take them further on their journey to sustainability.

Charity Bank provides guidance and where appropriate, loan finance on affordable terms, of amounts up to £1 million, to any organisation that is either a registered or exempt charity, community association, voluntary organisation, community business, social enterprise or social landlord. We may also lend to a for-profit organisation pursuing a charitable mission.

Cheshire and Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership
17 Cuppin Street, Chester
Cheshire, CH1 2BN
Tel: 01244 603 059
Email: socialenterprise@cheshire.gov.uk
Web: www.cwsocialenterprise.org.uk

Our Vision is to develop a successful social enterprise community across Cheshire and Warrington by supporting social enterprises to meet the social needs of their communities.

Cheshire and Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership brings together a network of social enterprises, statutory agencies and support organisations across Cheshire and Warrington and aims to be the representative body for social enterprises in the sub-region.

Communities and Local Government
contact details to follow

Communities and Local Government has a vision of confident, vibrant, sustainable communities where everyone has a say in shaping their local environment. Working closely with stakeholders from across the public and community sectors, the department’s remit includes developing policy on: cities and regions; communities and neighbourhoods; fire and resilience; housing; planning; building and the environment;  local government and the Thames Gateway and the Olympics. 

The Community Empowerment Unit is at the heart of this work and on 19 October 2007, Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, launched a Community Empowerment Action Plan. Backed with £35 million of funding, this plan is being taken forward with partners in local government and seeks to further encourage more asset transfers from the public to the community sector and to create a new network of 18 empowerment champions (local authorities who are broadening and deepening empowerment practice in their areas). 

The Third Sector Team was created in late 2006 to develop a more effective framework for developing the partnership with the third sector across the department. The team have been developing approaches to improve the understanding and awareness of the potential of the third sector, including social enterprise, in delivering on our priorities through better strategic partnering, involvement and engagement.

Community Innovation UK
159 Bermondsey St, London, SE1 3UW
Tel: 0207 234 3622
Email: info@communityinnovation.org.uk
Web: www.ciuk.org.uk

Community Innovation UK specialises in enterprise.

Our work takes many forms including:

• Helping charities diversify their income to become more self-sustainable
• Helping organisations understand and influence public policy
• Undertaking enterprise research for public sector agencies
• Working with individual entrepreneurs who want to start a business

Community Transport Association UK
Highbank, Halton Street, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2NY
Tel: 0161-351 1475
Email: ewan@ctauk.org
Website: www.ctauk.org

 

The CTA is a national charity providing voice, leadership, learning and enterprise support to member organisations and individuals across the third sector who deliver innovative and flexible transport solutions to achieve social change. It promotes excellence through providing training, publications, advice, events and project support on voluntary, community and accessible transport. In addition to its member support role, the CTA is a social enterprise delivering commercial research and consultancy services to clients in the voluntary, statutory and commercial sectors throughout the UK, reinvesting the proceeds to bring about its vision of an society free of social exclusion and injustice.

The Confederation of Social Entrepreneurs was established to support Merseyside social enterprises and to help them expand their trading activities by winning more public sector contracts.

The Confederation provides social enterprises with:

• Information, advice and support
• Examples of best practice
• Access to the public sector
• Meet the buyer events
• Support with tenders
• Sector-specific training
• Board members with commercial expertise
• Professional help to develop the business
• Consortia partners with contractual experience

It provides public sector organisations with:

• Strategic routes to encourage third sector involvement
• Social enterprise contacts with proven track records

The Co-operative College provides learning, education, training, consultancy and research for the co-operative mutual and social enterprise sectors in the UK and internationally. We offer tailored workshops and qualifications for members, directors, staff and managers in co-operatives, social enterprises and mutual organisations.

The College also works with schools, young people and public bodies, raising the awareness of the difference co-operatives and co-operative values can make to individuals and their communities.

The College also works with schools, young people and public bodies, raising the awareness of the difference co-operatives and co-operative values can make to individuals and their communities.

The Co-operative and Community Finance
Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square
Bristol BS2 8PE
Tel: 01179 166750
Email: info@co-opandcommunityfinance.coop
Web: www.icof.co.uk

Co-operative & Community Finance has been providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprises for 30 years.

We raise money primarily by public share issue, and we lend it for social purpose and collective benefit. We also manage loan funds for several other organisations providing co-operative and community finance. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the conduct of investment business.

The Co-operative Fund -
The Co-operative Group
New Century House Manchester M60 4ES
Tel: 0161 246 3020
Email: angela.davies@co-operative.co.uk
Web: www.co-operative.co.uk/fund

So many of the challenges faced by communities throughout the UK could benefit from a co-operative solution. Whether its providing child-care or housing, keeping a business alive or protecting the environment, we believe co-operation could be the best solution – for everyone.

The Co-operative Fund is a grants programme funded solely by the Co-operative Group Ltd. It was established to:

• Promote, support and develop co-operative solutions and enterprises
• Expand the co-operative movement
• Promote the co-operative advantage and demonstrate its relevance in the UK today

Co-operatives UK
Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS
Tel: 0161 246 2941
Email: giles.simon@cooperatives-uk.coop
Website: www.cooperatives-uk.coop

Co-operatives UK is the national member-owned and led trade assocation for all types of co-operative enterprise throughout the UK. It is the strategic voice for co-operation. It works to increase awareness and understanding of co-operative values and principles, supports the development and growth of new co-operatives and helps existing co-operatives to achieve high performance levels and good governance. It is a focal point for the sector, a forum for innovation and best practice, and a strategic voice for the co-operative movement.

Corporate Culture
7 De Havilland Drive,
Estuary Commerce Park
Liverpool L24 8RN
Tel: 0845 607 0000
Web: www.corporateculture.co.uk

Corporate Culture is one of the UK’s leading social marketing companies helping clients developing communications and campaigns that deliver social and commercial benefits.

Our expertise is centred on:

• producing environment, health and education communications
• developing cause marketing campaigns to engage people on social issues
• creating corporate responsibility strategies that give competitive differentiation
• developing in-house communications that strengthen the link between employees and customers
• developing brands that earn the trust of customers and other stakeholders
• carrying out research to understand the concerns and priorities of customers and employees.

Our clients include BT, Microsoft, ASDA, Bank of America, ING, Coutts Bank, Alliance & Leicester, T Mobile, O2, Orange and United Utilities. We also do significant campaign work for public and not-for-profit organisations, often involving partnerships with the corporate sector. Public sector clients include the NHS, the DCSF, WRAP, the Treasury and the ODA.

Projects include:

• working with BT on the awarding winning “Better World” and “Am I Listening” campaigns
• developing the brand and communications strategy for the national recycling campaign which has helped transform the UK’s approach and attitudes to recycling
• working with eight of the UK’s leading brands to develop the Customer Trust Index
• producing corporate responsibility strategies and communications for several of the UK’s leading companies.   

Underpinning our work is the ability to combine strategic insight and thinking with outstanding creative delivery and project management to deliver measurable results.

Department of Health
Email: social.enterprise@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The Department of Health’s Social Enterprise Unit has been set up to encourage innovation and entrepreneurialism in health and social care and pave the way for new services that better meet patients’ and service users needs. The Social Enterprise Unit aims to provide advice and support to social enterprise organisations and commissioners in the health and social care sector.

Within this role the Social Enterprise Unit is working with social enterprise pathfinders that will lead the way in delivering innovative health and social care services. The learning from these pathfinders will be shared across the health and social care sector so that others can benefit from the pathfinders’ experience.

The Social Enterprise Unit now has a dedicated social enterprise investment fund in place to help aspirant and existing social enterprises within health and social care with set up costs.

Development Trusts Association
Community-based regeneration network
33 Corsham Street, London N1 6DR
Tel: 0845 458 8336
Email: f.hidil@dta.org.uk
Web: www.dta.org.uk

The DTA is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners, and is aiming for a successful development trust in every community. Development trusts are community organisations using self-help, enterprise, and asset ownership, to find local solutions and transform their community for good. There are now over 400 development trusts in DTA membership, in both urban and rural areas. While many are still small, others are operating at scale: the combined income is over £240m and development trusts have £430m of assets in community ownership.

The DTA is a member of the Community Alliance with bassac and Community Matters.

Digital Umbrella
1a Bingswood Est, Whaley Bridge,
High Peak SK237LY
Tel: 01663 735350
Web: www.digitalumbrella.co.uk

Digital Umbrella is the social enterprise of High Peak CVS (highpeakcvs.org.uk), a voluntary and community sector organisation based in Derbyshire. We offer a range of IT services for voluntary & community sector organisations and private businesses. Web development services are the core focus of our social enterprise activity - during 2007 alone we developed web resources for around 30 national, regional and local clients. We also offer services of logo design and branding, graphic design for print, video production, IT training and ICT championing.

E. Net
Chapel House, 5 Shawbridge Street
Clitheroe, BB7 1LY
Tel: 01200 444852
Email: info.nwenet@btconnect.com
Web: www.nwenet.org.uk

E. Net is a network of organizations to promote, sustain and enhance the social and economic inclusion of disabled people through learning and employment. Greennet, who is part of E. Net is a horticultural social enterprise providing training and employment opportunities for disabled people.

Equal Support Unit
ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd
Priestley House, 12–26 Albert Street
Birmingham, B4 7UD
Tel: 0121 616 3660
Email: equal@ecotec.co.uk
Web: www.equal.ecotec.co.uk

Equal is an initiative funded through the European Social Fund (ESF). The programme tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work. Equal also includes action to help the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers.

Equal operates across identified thematic fields which embrace the four pillars of the European Employment Strategy and support for asylum seekers. Equal funds activities implemented by strategic partnerships called Development Partnerships (DPs). Each DP addresses one thematic field.

Equal encourages participation and transnational co-operation through partnership building across five priority areas which are closely focussed on key issues of concern in Britain. The programme helps to develop good practice that can enhance the delivery of mainstream UK and Structural Fund activity.

The Equal GB Community Initiative Programme (CIP) Plan 2000–2006 was approved by the European Commission in 2001.

Equity Plus Ltd.
159 Bermondsey St, London, SE1 3UW
Tel: 020 7234 3625
Email: info@equityplus.org.uk
Web: www.equityplus.org.uk

Equity Plus is an investment organisation focused on the social enterprise and social business sector. Operating across the UK, the Equity Plus team provides a wide range of support to investee organisations helping them find the right level and mix of finance, become investment ready and partner with business angels to achieve their commercial, social and environmental objectives.

The Fairtrade Foundation
Room 204
16 Baldwin's Gardens
London EC1N 7RJ
Tel: 0207 405 5942
Email: mail@fairtrade.org.uk
Web: www.fairtrade.org.uk

The Fairtrade Foundation is a certification body which awards the independent consumer label - the FAIRTRADE Mark - to products which meet international standards. The FAIRTRADE Mark appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. There are now more than 3,000 products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark. One in every two adults in the UK recognises the FAIRTRADE Mark. From chocolate and wine, to coffee and clothing, Fairtrade certified products are sold by major retailers and in shops and outlets across the country. Find out more about how to get involved by visiting our stand.

FRC Group
Atlantic Way, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool, L3 4BE
Tel: 0151 702 0550
Web: www.frcgroup.co.uk

FRC Group is a pioneering group of social businesses with a track record of innovation and success. Through commercial activities and the profits we generate, our social businesses are making social and environmental change happen.

The Group encompasses three brands:

• Furniture Resource Centre - selling furniture, white goods, carpets and curtains to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other accommodation providers.
• Bulky Bob’s - bulky household waste collection and recycling service currently operating in 3 local authorities and in discussions with many more.
• Revive - high street store in Liverpool, selling ‘pre-loved’ furniture and white goods to low-income households.

Futurebuilders England
Level 14, Cale Cross House, 156 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 6SU
Tel: 0191 269 2850
Fax: 0191 269 2851
Email: info@futurebuilders-england.org.uk
Web: www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk

We offer loans (sometimes combined with grants) and professional support to build the capacity of third sector organisations who want to deliver better public services. Most organisations have never borrowed before, so we provide sustained, flexible and individual support to ensure our investees have the right financial, managerial and governance structures to take on a loan and successfully compete for contracts in the public sector.

Our minimum investment is £50,000. Our website, www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk, provides the information you need to make a successful application.

The Guild
Burlington Buildings
11 Orford Place
Norwich NR1 3RU
Tel: 01603 615200
Email: services@the-guild.co.uk
Web: www.the-guild.co.uk

The Guild was formed in 1991 by Nicky Stevenson and Sally Kelly and has established a national reputation as a leading support organisation within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.

The Guild provides hands-on support for social enterprises that are starting up or developing and also undertakes research and consultancy work with significant policy implications in the sector. The Guild’s recent work has included researching and developing specialist social enterprise support models linked to the new regional Business Links, designing the application processes for a social enterprise trade mark and mapping social enterprise support agencies.

Leading lawyers to the third sector.

Hempsons is a leading UK law firm in the health and third sectors.  Our clients are public, private and third sector organisations, including social enterprises, who plan, commission or provide public services or operate within the supply chain.  

A national firm with offices in London, Manchester and Harrogate, Hempsons provides strategic and operational services to clients embracing the opportunities and challenges of public service reform, for example as outlined in the Government White Papers Our Health, Our Care, Our Say and Strong and Prosperous Communities.  Hempsons works closely with the Social Enterprise Coalition, having co-authored ‘healthy business’ – a guide to social enterprise in health and social care and managing the SEC Legal Helpline.  Advice includes corporate, company and charity law; governance and regulation; procurement; contracting; commercial property and employment.

Inside Job Productions is an innovative multi-media production company led by broadcast professionals. Since our launch in 2006 we have produced a range of high quality programming, including the centrepiece film for this year's Voice Conference. A Media for Development initiative, we are a social enterprise and employ women who have graduated from a digital media course at Downview Women’s Prison in Surrey. When appropriate we use serving prisoners in production, working alongside trained professionals. We create stylish, intelligent solutions to our commissions; our work includes documentary, drama, animation, promotional and training films, reports and audio CDs.

Liverpool Business School
Liverpool John Moores University
John Foster Building
98 Mount Pleasant
Liverpool
L3 5UZ
Tel: 0151 2313342
Email: r.doherty@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Liverpool Business School is a leading centre for Social Enterprise research and training. After launching our Master’s programme in Social Enterprise Management in 2003, approaching 100 social enterprise mangers have graduated successfully. Our work in the sector involves running Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with social enterprises, editing the Social Enterprise Journal and also as a lead contributor to a European Commission project developing management training courses for social enterprises in new EU member states.

Liverpool City Council
& BusinessLiverpool

Contact:
Jerry Spencer on 0151 233-5453 or Paul Brown 233-5328 for more information

Liverpool City Council has been supporting social enterprise development since 1995 via a network of community-led economic development agencies enabling community and social entrepreneurs to develop their own social businesses via advice, grants and a number of focused interventions.

The current service is located within BusinessLiverpool (www.businessliverpool.co.uk) and as well as a managing a social enterprise support service, the sector benefits from a number of specific projects:

• In 2007 the Liverpool School for Social Entrepreneurs (www.sse.org.uk), a partnership with the SSE and local social enterprise Blackburne House, recruited the first of 30 students who aim to go on and create new trading enterprises.  It has also just launched a new Cultural Leaders Program for social entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sector.

• The Liverpool Academy of Sustainable Enterprise delivers a program of leadership training, professional development and mentoring for social entrepreneurs and managers will be three years old in 2008.

• A new e-learning program for social enterprise planning has been developed by local social enterprise Pulse Regeneration (www.pulseregeneration.co.uk) and access to it and further development is being sponsored by Business Liverpool.

• We are also piloting a new Social Return on Investment tool (www.sellingaddedvalue.co.uk) which we hope will improve marketing and procurement opportunities for social enterprise.

Since 2004, these programs have helped create around 50 new social enterprises and well over £6m of new turnover as well as assisting a further 90 existing social businesses in social businesses.

The City Council and BusinessLiverpool are proud to be sponsors of Voice08 in Liverpool.

Local Solutions
Mount Vernon Green, Hall Lane, L7 8TF
Tel: 0151 709 0990
Email: info@localsolutions.org.uk
Web: www.localsolutions.org.uk

Local Solutions is a unique, not for profit social enterprise that offers services to vulnerable people in the North West region across the entire age spectrum. The organisation delivers a range of services, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life.

The client groups that we support include: people with disabilities, those affected by bullying and domestic violence, unpaid carers, and young homeless. In addition, we operate childcare facilities, a welfare rights service and a home insulation/handyperson initiative. We are also a leading provider of domiciliary care and offer numerous training opportunities for disadvantaged people in the community.

London Rebuilding Society
9 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4PE
Tel: 020 7682 1666
Email: Jessica.Tyrrell@londonrebuilding.com
Web: www.londonrebuilding.com

London Rebuilding Society (LRS) provides loan finance and business support to social and ethical enterprises and not-for-profit organisations. Founded to benefit London's communities, LRS is itself a social enterprise, an exempt charity Industrial and Provident Society, and an autonomous organisation controlled by its member-shareholders. LRS' relationship lending philosophy means that it offers support to potential borrowers in the preparation of their investment proposals, often from a very early stage in their development. LRS has also created an innovative scheme for helping house-owners unable to afford essential repairs to their property, now piloting in the London Borough of Newham.

Make Your Mark
6 Mercer Street, Covent Garden
London, WC2H 9QA
Tel: 020 7497 4030
Email: info@makeyourmark.org.uk
Web: www.makeyourmark.org.uk

The Make Your Mark: Change Lives campaign is run by Make Your Mark, with support from the Social Enterprise Coalition, the Office of the Third Sector and a wide range of Partners representing the social enterprise movement, the education and enterprise sectors.

The aim is to inspire young people to have enterprising ideas for social and environmental change and make them happen.

Mitchell Charlesworth
5 Temple Square
Temple Street
Liverpool, L2 5RH
Tel: 0151 255 2300
Email: info@mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk
Web: www.mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk

Mitchell Charlesworth, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, operates from five offices across the North West, and offers an extensive range of audit, accountancy, grant finding services, taxation, business planning and governance services to not-for-profit and social enterprises across the UK.

Our Charities and not-for-profit group includes partners and staff from a number of departments within the practice, and is designed to provide a holistic approach to the delivery of services with the aim of helping our clients achieve their objectives in an efficient and effective manner, based on an in depth understanding of the issues our clients face.

net:gain programme, run by ruralnet|uk
Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2RR
Tel: 024 768 53054
Email: j.berry@ruralnet.org.uk
Web: www.net-gain.org.uk

net:gain is a funded programme for managers and boards of any social enterprise. It helps get your strategy right, your processes clear, then links that into technology decisions. No technical knowledge is needed. Delivered by local Social Enterprises, it's subsidised by Capacitybuilders so costs as little as £40. A range of sessions, materials, signposting, and other benefits support both general planning and technical decision-making. Organisations who join report improved planning, better funding bids, money and time saved, and better inclusion of staff, volunteers and users in decisions. Run by ruralnet|uk and a range of partners, it's available across England.

North East Social Enterprise Partnership
Starting Point, Wawn Street
South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 4EB
Tel: +44 (0) 191 427 2150
Email: jill@nesep.co.uk
Web: www.nesep.co.uk

NESEP is a development agency for Social Enterprise and supports local development by work largely at a regional level to:

• create awareness of social enterprise
• develop a climate in which social enterprise can thrive
• foster strong and vibrant social enterprises across the region
• provide a voice for social enterprise

NESEP also co-ordinates the INSPIRE North East programme which identifies and develops market opportunities for social enterprises through R & D activities. We have developed a social franchise methodology to rapidly replicate social enterprise to exploit market opportunities in the area of environment, care and culture and tourism.

North West Housing Services

North West Housing Services is one of the largest providers of services to housing co-operatives, small housing associations and leaseholders in the UK. As a customer-led social business we provide high quality services to independent housing providers.

We are committed to transparency, ethically based innovative ideas and empowering our clients and their communities.  Our business is founded on the principle that we support and enable our customers’ objectives.  

We provide housing management, maintenance, property investment, finance and consultancy services to 39 independent clients.  Our customers have 2,441 homes with a combined annual turnover of £7m, with an asset value of £180m and cash reserves of £8m.

Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ
Tel: 029 2034 6228
Email: cicregulator@companieshouse.gov.uk
Website: www.cicregulator.gov.uk

Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special
additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.

Legal Solutions for social enterprise organisations

Our experienced legal team is dedicated to finding solutions to your legal problems. We will work with you to establish company structures – limited liability companies, community interest companies or, whatever structure suits you enterprise.

Employment issues, property leasing/purchase issues, sub-leasing, planning, debt recovery/unpaid loans or whatever your legal need.

The Phone Co-op Ltd
5 The Millhouse, Chipping Norton, OX7 5XL
Tel: 0845 458 9000
Email: enquiries@thephone.coop
Web: www.thephone.coop

The Phone Co-op is the UK's only telecommunications co-operative, procuring phone, line rental and broadband services on behalf of its customers, many of whom are co-operatives, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations. The Phone Co-op's service has been taken up by over 15,000 customers, including Amnesty International, Triodos Bank, CAN Mezzanine, The Midcounties Co-operative, Christian Aid, Salford City Council and Unison. As a co-operative owned by its customer members, The Phone Co-op distributes any profits which are not re-invested back to members via a dividend based on each member's spend, and through a loan fund which supports other co-operatives.

RedWelly
1 Prospect Place, Millennium Way,
Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8HG
Tel: 01332 253258
Fax: 01332 253211
Email: louise.wheatley@spirita.org.uk
Web: www.mhp-online.co.uk

RedWelly is a social enterprise owned and controlled by Spirita Ltd, part of the Metropolian Housing Group. RedWelly brings gardens to life for the benefit of the local community and its people. By transforming uncared for space into established gardens, we are able to bring superb team building experiences to all types of people and organisations. Our work also provides life-changing training, development and employment for those at risk of missing out on these kinds of opportunities.

Through our work we have been able to generate a strong network of people and organisations, including long-term partnerships with business, government and other voluntary sector organisations. Current partners include Rolls Royce, Gala Coral and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

As RedWelly enjoys a great profile with the local community, we also attract many sponsors. To date bfcc has contributed to our marketing campaign, A-Plant Tool Hire shops have provided tools and equipment, Buildbase with discounted stock, B&Q with timber and many local nurseries and garden centres with plants, compost, mulch, advice and support.

RISE
Unit B, Pynes Hill, Exeter, EX2 5AZ
Tel: 01392 435775
Web: www.rise-sw.co.uk

RISE supports the development of social enterprises in South West England and provides SFEDI endorsed training for social enterprise advisors. RISE has launched an identity for established social enterprises: The Social Enterprise Mark. It will transform the place of social enterprises in the market place. It will say to customers ‘if you buy here, you are making a positive contribution to a wider social or environmental outcome’. The Mark is currently available for organisations operating in South West England. Come to the RISE ‘Make a Meeting’ or visit us to find out more.

The Royal Bank of Scotland
Email: community.banking@rbs.co.uk
Email: community.banking@natwest.com

For us, this is about assisting disadvantaged people and communities into the economic mainstream and helping deprived neighbourhoods become more enterprising.

We are focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs to realise their dreams of starting up in business.

We also give help and advice to not-for-profit organisations that are often at the heart of efforts to build stronger communities, we realise that these organisations are themselves working to become more enterprising.

By focusing our activities on these areas, the Community Banking Team is able to show that, by working together, the private, public and third sector can make a real and lasting difference to the lives of people in some of our poorest communities.

se2partnership (social enterprise south east) – showcasing DECODA

Social Enterprise South East
Web: www.se2partnership.co.uk

Decoda
Web: www.decoda.org

We are a new partnership of organisations and networks supporting the development of social enterprise in England’s South East. Working together our aim is to provide a flexible, dynamic and sustainable infrastructure which will most effectively help deliver our vision for a social enterprise sector, that is growing and adding value - focussed on markets and needs within the Region’s communities.

At VOICE 08 we are showcasing DECODA, a social enterprise that uses technology to engage people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Their Music Gym is an innovative approach that is attracting interest among service users and professionals alike. See hear and feel it on the stand.

The Soap Co - Keswick
1 Main Street Keswick Cumbria CA12 5BA
Tel: 017687 75900
Email: info@thesoapcokeswick.co.uk
Web: www.thesoapcokeswick.co.uk

The Soap Co shops pride themselves on their range of traditional hand made products which combine the best ingredients local to them with oils and fragrances carefully selected from around the world.

Whether you are looking for special gifts or welcome packs for your hotel business or home, the Soap Co can supply high quality bath and shower products, soap,shampoo, bath bombs, creams and washes: they all look good, smell great and are delightful to use!

The Soap Co Keswick is a Social Firm. For more nformation on Social Firms visit www.socialfirms.co.uk

Social Enterprise West Midlands
Doe Bank Building, Doe Bank Lane
Coventry, CV1 3AR
Tel: 024 7663 3911
Email: k.maton@cwcda.co.uk
Web: www.socialenterprisewm.org.uk

Social Enterprise West Midlands is a regional network that aims to promote and foster a strong, visible, growing and sustainable social enterprise sector across the West Midlands.

Our objectives are to:

• Act as a regional advocate for the social enterprise sector
• Inform and influence national and regional policy of relevance to social enterprises
• Raise awareness and understanding of social enterprise structures and promote good practice
• Facilitate networking, knowledge exchange and collaborative working opportunities

Principal funder: Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency.

Social Firms UK
1st Floor, Furness House
53 Brighton Road
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 6PZ
Tel: +44 01737 764021
Email: info@socialfirms.co.uk
Web: www.socialfirms.co.uk

Social Firms UK aims to create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people through the development and support of Social Firms. Social Firms are market-led businesses that are set up specifically to create good quality jobs for people severely disadvantaged in the labour market.

Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE)
Michele Rigby, CEO
Tel: 0845 606 6296
Email: hello@seee.co.uk
Web: www.seee.co.uk
Bedford i-Lab, Priory Business Park, Stannard Way, Bedford, MK44 3RZ

SEEE is a membership and networking organization for social enterprises and others. We also have a strategic influence on national, regional and local policy relating to social enterprise. Our primary aim is to support and promote the social enterprise sector in the East of England.

Social Enterprise East Midlands
Suite 28, Minerva House, Spaniel Row
Nottingham, NG1 6EP
Tel: 0115 8714760
Email: info@seem.uk.net
Web: www.seem.uk.net

Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) is the regional voice of social enterprise in the East Midlands.  We support and represent the work of our  members and the wider movement, influence regional and national policy and promote best practice.  We are a strategic agency with a remit to develop an environment in the region where social enterprise is encouraged to develop and enabled to grow. SEEM promotes understanding of the benefits that social enterprise can bring to the regional economy and to the public sector, working with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that the needs of social enterprises are reflected in appropriate strategies and programmes.

Speakup Self Advocacy Ltd
31 Broad Street, Parkgate
Rotherham, S62 6DX
Tel: 01709 710199
Email: info@speakup.org.uk
Web: www.speakup.org.uk

Established in 1988, Speakup is recognised as a leading national self-advocacy organisation run by and for people with a learning disability.

Over time we have developed niche ways in which we can enable services to be better delivered and at the same time enable the employment of people with learning disabilities:

• the production of broadcast standard films and DVD’s
• making information friendly and accessible for hard to reach groups
• ensuring documents and publications are ‘easy read’
• training for professionals, self-advocates and others
• facilitating conferences, events and forums

Many statutory agencies commission our services.

Supporters Direct

Supporters Direct is the government-backed organisation promoting community ownership of professional sports teams, along mutual lines.

We help form, organise and develop supporters’ trusts, who build collectively-held shareholdings in their football or rugby clubs and increase the involvement of supporters in the running of the club.

Supporters Direct is the umbrella body for and provides training, advice, support and lobbying for over 150 volunteer-run, community based organisations across the UK and has helped 13 clubs become community owned in the last 6 years

The Tool Factory
2a Oakhill Road, London SW15 2QU
Tel: 0208 871 2190
Email: bev@thetoolfactory.com
Web: www.thetoolfactory.com

The Tool Factory designs and develops clever tools and resources that save social enterprises time and money.

Business Plan Writer: Social Enterprise Version is an easy-to-use tool to help social enterprises write their Business Plans. It comes with comprehensive help at every stage, sample business plans from other social enterprises and clever financial tools that save time.

At Voice08 we are launching a great new product to help social enterprises with their marketing.

We are a social enterprise and a co-operative and our aim is to help other social enterprises grow and maximise their social impact.

Travel Matters Enterprises Ltd
Rawlinson Hse, 9 London Road,
Redhill, Surrey, RH11LY
Tel: 01737 789997
Email: mail@travelmatters.info
Web: www.travelmattersuk.com

Travel Matters Enterprises Ltd is a not for profit Social Firm which operates as a fully bonded Travel Agency and as a training centre for individuals recovering from mental health problems. Travel Matters offers a comprehensive range of travel services and can arrange anything from domestic flights to worldwide tailor-made holidays. All trainees have the opportunity to study for recognised ICT qualifications as Travel Matters is also an approved E.C.D.L. training and examination centre accredited in the UK by the British Computer Society.

Established in 1996 we have a proven track record in assisting trainees to return to open employment.

Triodos Bank
Brunel House
11 The Promenade
Bristol
BS8 3NN

Tel: 0500 008720
Fax: 0117 9739303
E-mail: businessbanking@triodos.co.uk

Triodos Bank has financed Charities and Social Enterprises and supported the development of the UK Social Economy for over ten years. Triodos is the only social bank to offer integrated business and investment banking services to Charities and Social Enterprises. These include competitive current, deposit accounts and loans as well as capital raising services and investing venture capital.

For more information, please come and visit us at Voice 08.

Unity Trust Bank plc
Nine Brindleyplace
Birmingham
B1 2HB
Tel: 0845 140 1000
Email: us@unity.co.uk
Web: www.unity.co.uk

As a specialist bank for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, Unity Trust Bank finds the right banking solution for your organisation, so that you can concentrate on achieving your goals. Unity’s strength lies in its understanding and support of the key issues affecting its customers in the social economy.

From day to day banking, to providing finance for a variety of sustainable projects, Unity supports and works in partnership with a number of organisations across the UK, to help underpin their long term development.

Come and meet our team at the VOICE 08 conference.

UnLtd
123 Whitecross Street
Islington
London EC1Y 8JJ
Tel: 020 7566 1137
Email: info@unltd.org.uk
Web: www.UnLtd.org.uk

UnLtd is a unique and dynamic organisation that supports individual social entrepreneurs to create or develop socially beneficial projects or organisations within their community. UnLtd provides financial grants of between £500 and £20000 and also offers unique individual practical support to help individuals make their ideas into reality. UnLtd has now supported over 4000 individuals across the U.K and was the lead delivery partner in the Big Boost programme that supported over 10,000 young people aged 11-25 to get their ideas for change in the community off the ground.

Voice Social Marketing
60 Westhead Road
Croston, PR26 9RS
Tel: 01772 601853
Email: Catherine@voicemarketing.org.uk
Web: www.voicemarketing.org.uk

Voice Social Marketing  is a national, independent not-for-profit, pioneering social marketing agency who work to inspire, innovate and advance social marketing and communications throughout the health, public, charitable and voluntary sectors.

Voice is devoted to engaging actively with all sectors to advocate with a passion, the search for sustainable marketing solutions and social entrepreneurship by unlocking minds and raising awareness of individual projects or services.

The services we offer are all person centred and include design, copywriting, event management, training, web design and PR.