All posts by Selnet

Selnet are named in the UK’s top 100 social enterprises – for the fifth year!

In 2005 Selnet was established by a group of Social Enterprise practitioners who recognised support needed for their sector to flourish. The network has since gone from strength to strength, all managed by social enterprises, for social enterprises:

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It is absolutely overwhelming to receive this recognition – everything we do is to secure opportunities for social enterprises to deliver their crucial work.


Our team works hard to build the professional reach of social enterprises across Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. We are a membership network – our Expo event in January, workshops and promotion – we secure specialist advice and support for our sector – like DR!VE and Two/Zero – we enable partnership opportunities – like Building Better Opportunities and Under One Roof – and promote, highlight and celebrate our sector – especially through our Enterprise in Society annual awards event!

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Liz Tapner MBE, Selnet CEO

Selnet’s work, from project management of partnerships, bidding for contract opportunities, accessing practical training and more – is all for their sector to connect, develop and grow.

Photos in our header above include:

  • Our Social Business Expo on 17th January 2023 in Blackburn Cathedral
  • Our “Building Better Opportunities” programme partnership meeting at Blackburn Rovers conference room on 12th January 2023
  • International Women’s Day photo for a post of our team members Rachel Coupe, Alison Davies, Tracy Worden, Jill Blanshard and Maryam Patel
  • Our 2022 Enterprise in Society awards event promoting our Award Winners on 4th November 2022
  • NatWest SE100 Awards logo in formal announcement of 2023 winners
  • CEO Liz Tapner MBE, Volunteer of the Year Kizzi from Spring Into Action, and Membership Lead Officer Yvette Holden at our annual Enterprise in Society awards

 

SE100 2023

Applicants to this year’s SE100 have also painted a positive picture in terms of their outlook for the future – despite shrinking profits and continued worries about winning enough business, gaining investment and surviving the cost of living crisis.

This year’s SE100 Top 100 includes businesses and trading charities from across the UK delivering a diverse range of goods and services, from jobs and training to books, bread, period products, cycling and clean energy.

The list was selected according to a number of different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues – including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.

The NatWest SE100 Index was created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, the bank’s independent social investment charity.

In our special feature today, you can search through the 100 either by viewing images they have selected to sum up their stories, or using the alphabetical list below.

Megan Virrels, CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said:

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“A huge congratulations to all those named in this year’s NatWest SE100 list. Social & Community Capital has been committed to supporting UK social enterprises for over 20 years, and we are constantly inspired by the resilience, ambition, and creativity that we see in the sector.

So we’re delighted to partner with Pioneers Post again to showcase the very best social enterprises across the UK and recognise the fantastic work of these impactful organisations.”

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To enter the SE100 Index applicants were asked to complete our detailed SE100 Social Business Survey, which was carried out online between March and May 2023.

Altogether, the total revenues of those who entered the SE100 this year came to almost £512m. This figure represents significant growth compared to total revenues the year before of £393m. However, while turnover shot up, the total profits actually slid down – from £9.3m to £8.3m – perhaps suggesting that the money that social businesses are generating is having to be spread more thinly.

Despite finances appearing to be tighter for social businesses this year, the overall attitude expressed by those in our survey was far from gloomy. Some 90% told us they were making a more positive impact than the year before and three quarters said they were feeling optimistic about the future.

The biggest barriers to growth they identified were winning contracts and access to capital/investment, with staff recruitment/retention and the cost of living crisis also mentioned by many respondents.

Tim West, founding editor of Pioneers Post, said:

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Like all businesses, social enterprises are dealing with the continued pressures and uncertainties of the cost of living crisis and other challenges that won’t go away any time soon – whether it’s about key contracts being renewed or the continued fallout from Brexit and its impact on staffing.

Running a social business is perhaps more challenging than ever before, and we know that a number of social investors, for example, have been bracing themselves for more of their investees to fail.

“But if we know anything about social entrepreneurs, it is that they are dedicated, resilient and full of positivity. What they seem to be telling us in this year’s SE100 survey is that they will use every ounce of their energy, skill and creativity to find solutions in the face of the hardest challenges, in service of their communities and their social mission.”

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The NatWest SE100 also includes awards for leading social enterprises across seven categories. The finalists were announced last week and the winners were revealed at a special awards evening hosted by NatWest in London on 10 July. This was a hybrid event delivered both in-person and online.

 


 

 

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Calling all Fylde Community, Voluntary, Faith Groups and Social Enterprises

This information is for reference only – the project is now completed and closed: Read more here

In the summer of 2023, Selnet were commissioned by Fylde Council to provide a detailed portfolio of organisations operating in Fylde –read this news article for more information.

Introduction to Project (Archived)

If you are involved in delivering support services within Fylde’s communities we are keen to talk to you. This is to provide Fylde Council with a detailed record of all local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations that are currently active in Fylde – it’s a Baseline Study for better understanding of these sectors and the contributions they make (contributing to an Objective of Fylde’s Investment Plan ‘Communities and Place’).

The questions we will ask are all about:

  • Your organisation – what do you do? How does your organisation support Fylde residents/groups?
  • What your priorities are as an organisation? (e.g. support for carers, providing community engagement for isolated people)  
  • What your limitations are? (e.g. limited experience in securing funding, bid writing, starting partnership projects etc)
  • Any gaps in community support that you are aware of? (e.g. access to transport, religious groups, children/adults with special educational needs?)

We respect privacy of everyone we work with and will anonymise insight as necessary.

As a first step, please complete our questionnaire. 

After you have submitted this information, our team member Rachel will contact you to hear more about your work, your priorities, any limitations and your insight into Fylde’s community needs.

If you have any questions, or would like to talk about this project please let us know – call 01772 200 690 or email hello@selnet-uk.com.

 


 

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Wot Wud U Do CIC

Contact: Dave Clayton

 

Web: www.wotwududo.co.uk

Email: info@www.wotwududo.co.uk

    

 


About Us

We follow the principle of coproduction and collaboration to create and deliver health educational programmes in schools, colleges, care homes and pupil referral units. As we adapt to the latest climate, we specifically work with young people in local communities to tailor our foundations, using their knowledge and experience to adapt what we know and support them to create and deliver these programmes within the local vicinity.

These young people gain several life and employability skills, who we then refer to local employers. The students who receive the peer delivered the programme gain insights into coping with mental health, relationships, independence, and resilience from a lived experience point of view.

We work collaboratively with local authorities, NHS departments and community organizations who work alongside the peer led programme, offering professional support and advice, signposting, and raising awareness of their services and opportunities the young people and their families can access.

Dave Clayton represents Selnet Member Wot Wud U Do CIC and is currently a Director on our Board.

 


 

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THOMAS

St Anne’s House
France Street
Blackburn
BB2 1LX

Tel: 01254 660 861

 

Web: www.thomasonline.org.uk

 

About Us

THOMAS delivers a range of holistic recovery focused services, which take people from within prison or hospital, through detox and residential rehabilitation into community based provision.

We offer drop in facilities, assertive outreach, recovery programmes incorporating cognitive, social and interpersonal approaches, support with wider issues associated with addiction.
We provide residential provision, support for those living in their own homes and community-based programmes.

We currently operate in Blackburn with Darwen and Salford and take the majority of our referrals from across the North West.

 

 


 

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Infinite Women CIC

Contact: Karen Martyniuk

Tel: 07985 102245

 

Email: infinitewomencic@gmail.com

   


About Us

Our mission at Infinite Women is for Women to Empower Women to create stronger communities and build a better, brighter future for all. Empowerment of Women is at the heart of all that we do. We host monthly sessions, with a speaker and time for refreshments and socializing. We have a different theme each month, with topics linked to Holistic Health, Holistic Living, Sustainability and Fun. We aim to have a variety of settings/venues, with options for day and evening sessions to enable women to access when working different hours. We plan to deliver additional sessions, activities, events and conferences as we progress and develop.

 


 

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Digital Freedom 2023

About Digital Freedom 2023!

Selnet and Lancashire’s Digital Skills Partnership secured funding through Lancashire County Council to support vulnerable residents aged 18 and above who were Digitally Excluded.

Digital Freedom 2023 has been completed and we are delighted to share that over 50 distribution partners made it possible to gift 920 digital devices (tablets/laptops) with internet connection and skills support, enabling Lancashire residents to engage with digital health services. Here are some testimonials from beneficiaries:

 

A combination of barriers that were addressed in partnership included;

  • Support for eligible Lancashire individuals with no digital device by applying on their behalf.
  • Enabled online access for Lancashire residents with no connection to the internet, or who were unable to afford a data package.
  • Provided support and training to make effective use of these resources including accessing information to save money, accessing health related information and services and to attend health related appointments.

Selnet’s role is securing and managing opportunities for funded work for social enterprises, so you can focus directly on your specialist work with disadvantaged people across Lancashire.

 

 

 


 

Digital Freedom 50+ (archived)

In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Selnet and the Lancashire Skills Hub secured funding from the Community Foundation for Lancashire, to provide digital devices and connectivity to disadvantaged over 50s in Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.

Over 40 organisations working with local residents applied and became Distribution Partners, who submitted applications for support on individual beneficiaries’ behalf. The funding for this project secured a limited number of devices for residents in every district in the County, ensuring residents across the 14 Lancashire districts could be supported.

 

 At the end of 2020 the project team had allocated 510 devices for older people who had been digitally excluded, helping connect them with people and services during lockdowns.

Find out more about Lancashire’s Digital Skills Partnership and support available through Lancashire Libraries.

Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership was announced as the Winner of the Digital Leaders 100 Award in 2020.

 

Case Study

Click here to read feedback from a mature man whose life was transformed when he received a device and support from project partners

 

 


 

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Phab Ltd

Phab Office:
Summit House, 50 Wandle Road,
Croydon, Surrey,
CR0 1DF

Contact: Dawn Vickers

 

Web: www.phab.org.uk

Email: info@phab.org.uk

 

    


About Us

Phab supports a network of around 120 inclusive, accessible clubs in all age ranges, offering activities which all members (disabled and non-disabled) can share and enjoy together. Phab runs the Integrated Living Experiences and Skills for Independence residential projects at fully accessible activity centres in Cumbria and the South East. Phab organises conferences and forums across the regions, with workshops, training, advice and group discussions.

 


 

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Shine Coaching

Contact: Fiona Redding

 

Web: www.shine-coaching.com

Email: enquiries@shine-coaching.com

 


About Us

Shine Coaching is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that offers life coaching sessions to men in Lancashire over the age of 18 who experience anger issues.  We offer sessions over the phone to our clients, making it more accessible, whilst also reducing travelling costs for our clients.  As a CIC with limited funds, we can then spend more funding on client contact time, maximizing the resources we can devote to those who need it.  We have built relationships with community agencies who have direct and indirect (through partners, for example) contact with men.  We have received referrals through agencies but also direct referrals from men themselves.  Coaching works with where the person is now and where they would like to be.  We work with men to identify their goals around reducing anger, and often, their other identified goals cascade into reducing their anger too.  As an average, we offer between 6-8 sessions, but more can be negotiated. This flexibility is important to us.  We offer our sessions over the phone for various reasons; we know that men are more likely to access treatment if it’s easier to do so; life coaching as a profession has been the pioneer in over the phone work; to cut down on overheads; accessible and easy to set sessions and means we can reach people we wouldn’t usually be able to, including those who identify as agoraphobic.

 


 

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