In era of reduced public spending and increased competition for a limited supply of grant-funding, both charities and community groups, and public sector agencies face tough questions about how to continue to provide services to people who need them.

'Social Enterprise' is an increasingly popular answer to many of those questions. It's particularly popular with politicians and council officers who like the idea of getting the same services (or better) for less money.

David Floyd, has run a small social enterprise, Social Spider CIC, since 2003 and writes the popular the social enterprise blog, Beanbags and Bullsh!t. In this session, David and his co-director, Mark Brown, will debunk some of the popular myths and give a short introduction to the practical realities of running a social enterprise.

Some of the questions dicussed will be:

• What is a social enterprise?*
• What are some good reasons to start a social enterprise?
• What are some bad reasons to start a social enterprise?
• What is my social enterprise going to sell?
• Who is my social enterprise going to sell things to? 
• Where can I get some money to start my social enterprise? 

and, perhaps most importantly of all:

• 'Is it possible to turn my local library into a sustainable magazine sold by the homeless?'

The seminar will assist charities and community groups, and individuals with a good idea, in deciding whether social enterprise is for them - and assist public sector employees and others in understanding the needs of social enterprises, and the potential benefits of working with them. 

Total cost - £30 including fees and VAT

*This question is not as practically relevant as you may have been led to believe and will be explored reasonably briefly

Further information:

Mark Brown and David Floyd are the authors of Better Mental Health in a Bigger Society? (published by Mental Health Providers Forum in December 2011).

A link to David Floyd's feature on the new Health and Social Care Act and its implications for social enterprises.