Category Archives: Hot News

Selnet Wins Funding to Support Enterprise Programme

Selnet Ltd has been awarded £34,030.50 of funding from NatWest as part of its Skills and Opportunities Fund.

We are delighted to be one of seven organisations from across the North of England to be awarded a share of the £200,000 funding pot following a public vote. The grant will be used by Selnet to support its Lancashire Social Enterprise Project which aims to deliver a project targeting people across Lancashire, particularly in deprived areas, to promote social enterprise and self employment as alternatives to the traditional labour market, and to deliver 1:1 specialist support and enterprise skills seminars to help 30 new business ideas be realised.

NatWest’s Skills & Opportunities Fund aims to help people in some of our most deprived communities help themselves to move towards a better future, with improved financial skills and/or self-employment prospects.


Selnet CEO Liz Tapner
, said: “The funding from the NatWest Skills and Opportunities fund will enable us deliver the ‘Lancashire Social Enterprise Project’, which will support aspiring entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds, to explore self-employment and social enterprise to help improve their economic circumstances. We want to thank everyone who voted for us and NatWest for its support.”

Richard Topliss, Chairman of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “Through the Skills and Opportunities Fund, we have been able to support a range of programmes across the North of England in their development and delivery, and like those programmes that have won previously, Selnet  has created a fantastic programme through  its Lancashire Social Enterprise Project which will have a positive impact on the local community.

“The impact of these projects, which are helping people to build new skills, get into work or start their own business, is fantastic and I would encourage anyone who wasn’t successful this time to try again when applications open early next year.”

 

A huge thank you from Selnet to everyone who kindly voted for our project among all those shortlisted for the North. We are one of 7 successful organisations and are looking forward to launching the project in the New Year!

You can find out more about the Lancashire Social Enterprise Project and all of the other winners here.

 


 

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Selnet’s Enterprise in Society Awards 2017 – And the winners are…

We are delighted to announce the winners of our 2017 Enterprise in Society Awards

 

 Enabling Ability Award
sponsored by
Media Village

Winner
THOMAS

Finalists
In Di Go
Integrate (Preston & Chorley) Ltd
Willow Garden Project
Wonderful Things

 

Environmental Champion of the Year
sponsored by
Recycling Lives

Winner
SAMS

Finalists
Emmaus North West with Furniture Matters
Urban Organic (UK) CIC
Willow Garden Project

 

Excellence in Training or Mentoring
sponsored by
Periscope Productions

Winner
Advocacy Focus

Finalists
Best at Solutions CIC
Lancashire Equalities

 

Most Effective Collaboration
sponsored by
Bootstrap Enterprises

Winner
The Sewing Rooms

Highly Commended
CANW

Finalists
Castle Supported Living and Access Ability CIC
Food Redistribution Centre – run by Recycling Lives in partnership with FareShare
UR Potential & Strawberry Fields Training CIC

 

Small Social Enterprise of the Year
sponsored by
Unity Trust Bank

Winner
Dig In North West cic

Finalists
Preston Vocational Centre
SEED / Breathe Therapies
Strawberry Fields Training
Wonderful Things

 

Start-up Social Enterprise of the Year
sponsored by
The Sewing Rooms

Winner
Spring into Phab

Finalists
Podio Magazine
SHAPE Lancashire
The Dog Inn

 

Social Enterprise of the Year
sponsored by
HR Savvy

Winner
UR Potential

Highly Commended
Urban Organic (UK) CIC

Finalists
Age Concern Central Lancashire
Castle Supported Living
In Di Go
Reachout Darwen

 

Volunteer of the Year

Winner
Jackie Leeming (n-compass)

Finalists
Dorothy Vose (Age Concern CL)
Wonderful Things Youth Volunteer Team

 

Lancashire’s Social Enterprise Champion 2017
sponsored by
First Ark

Winner
Peter Green (Integrate (Preston & Chorley) Ltd)

Finalists
Alistair Clarke (Tick the Publicity Box)
Deborah Terras (UR Potential)

 

Photos Coming Soon!

 

Thanks Again To Our Sponsors

 

“We are keen to encourage the growth of a strong social economy in Lancashire. Working with Selnet allows the First Ark Group to recognise how we can best provide support and appropriate mechanisms to deliver growth and social impact within the sector.” Tony Cahill, First Ark

 

 

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ERDF Open Calls in Lancashire UPDATE

Network for Europe held a briefing session on 2nd February regarding the open ERDF calls in Lancashire.

For those unable to attend, you can download the presentation below which gives details of the current Calls in Lancashire under the ERDF Programme.

 ERDF Briefing Session (Lancs) 02/02/17

In addition here is the link to the site containing the application form and annexes to be completed. If you have any questions regarding this please email: 
john.hacking@networkforeurope.eu

Note that the ESIF form applies to these calls and the ERDF Annexes are the relevant documents.

 

Link to Application and Annexes:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-structural-and-investment-funds-outline-application

If you have a draft application relating to the ERDF Priority 6 Call – ‘Preserving and Protecting the Environment and Promoting Resource Efficiency’ then you can book a slot with DCLG officers to discuss your application.If you have a draft project and want to book a slot for this please contact Shabana Patel at LCC on Shabana.Patel@lancashire.gov.uk.

If you have any further queries please contact John Hacking:
john.hacking@networkforeurope.eu  

or Liz Tapner at SELNET by emailing – liz@selnet-uk.com.

 

 

 

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Skills and Opportunities Fund

Are you Looking To Start A Social Enterprise?

 

Social enterprises operate in all areas of life providing goods and services that benefit the community.

Here in Lancashire social enterprises are involved in recycling, helping people to find work, the arts and theatre, supporting people with a range of issues and so much more.

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NatWest, through its Skills and Opportunities Fund, is currently working in Lancashire to establish 18 social enterprises in 18 months.

So if you are looking to set up a social enterprise contact Social Enterprise Solutions CIC – one of Selnet’s members – to get free help and support.

The team of qualified business advisers, based in Blackpool, will be able to help by explaining the different forms of social enterprise; with completing the company paperwork; give advice on how to put together a business plan; cash flow and all the other aspects of starting a business.

For an informal chat or to arrange a meeting, contact 01253 344123 or alistair@socialenterprisesolutions.co.uk.

 

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Lancashire Building Better Opportunities Launch PRESS RELEASE

Lancashire’s Share of £62m Drive To Help More People Find Employment

A new drive to help people in Lancashire boost their skills and support them into employment and training has launched this month.

A partnership of 61 organisations in Lancashire, led by the Social Enterprise Lancashire Network – Selnet – has been successful in securing over five and half million pounds for two new projects in the county that will run until 2019.

The scheme is part of a programme part funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund called Building Better Opportunities.

The Invest in Youth programme aims to transform the futures of over 770 young people aged between 15 and 24 who have issues in their lives that are getting in the way of them finding employment. It will focus on participants with mental or physical health difficulties, who are homeless, have disabilities or they may be full-time carers.

Meanwhile the Age of Opportunity programme will run along similar lines and be targeted at supporting 1500 people over the age of 50.

The 61 social enterprises and charities that will provide the service will cover the whole county and have been selected to meet the specialist needs of the people that will receive support.

In England, a total of 27 projects have been given the go ahead with the aim to fill the gaps in existing provision that is available to help people into work, learn new skills and tackle poverty.

Lyn Cole, England grant making director at the Big Lottery Fund said: “The Building Better Opportunities programme not only enables people to improve their employment prospects, but their self-confidence too. Each project is specifically designed to match the needs and ambitions of local communities, providing tailored support that helps people achieve their goals.”

Lead partner, Selnet, has worked closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership, LEP, to ensure the services on offer meet the specific needs in Lancashire.

Liz Tapner, chief executive at Selnet, said: “Securing this funding is a major achievement for the partnership and I believe it will truly make a difference to some peoples’ lives in Lancashire.

“There is good provision in the county to help people who are out of work but there are some people who have significant challenges in their lives and we’re here to help. They may need six months or a year of help from us and it is that intensive support that the team of specialist partners can deliver.

For more information on the Invest In Youth programme for people aged between 16 and 24 or the Age Of Opportunity programme for those over 50, please contact Donna Sadler, Partnership Manager at Selnet Ltd on 01772 200690 or email bbo@selnet-uk.com.

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Selnet at The Northern Enterprise Conference

Team Selnet had a great day at the Northern Enterprise Conference on Thursday 13th October at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with friends old and new from the social enterprise world, hear some great speakers, attend mini masterclasses and promote Selnet at our exhibition stand, leaving us feeling motivated for the challenges ahead and proud of our sector.

selnet-at-northern-enterprise-awardsThe evening took us into the Powerful Together Awards where we were thrilled to see two of our Lancashire Enterprises take home awards. Debbie O’Brien of Castle Supported Living won the Leadership award and The Profound Impact Award went to Recycling Lives. Congratulations to both well deserving winners doing great work in Lancashire. Our glasses were raised to all the winners and finalists especially our members who know they are doing amazing work.

Massive thanks to Rosie Jolly and her team at SEN Together and all the sponsors for hosting the event and breaking down regional barriers to celebrate our vibrant sector across the northern powerhouse.


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We have moved…Upstairs!

Selnet are thrilled to be all settled into our new office.

Same Building, just more space and more windows!

New Address:
Unit F28
Preston Technology Management Centre
Marsh Lane
Preston
PR1 8UQ

Tel: 01772 200690

Apologies if you have been unable to contact us while we were getting set up. 

 

We look forward to seeing you in the new office!

 

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Celebrating 10 Years Of Success At Selnet

“Look what we’ve achieved in 10 years” That was the main message Selnet 10 balloonswhen members, staff and directors of the Social Enterprise Lancashire Network, Selnet, met to celebrate the organisation’s 10th anniversary.

What started in 2006 as a body to link Lancashire’s social enterprises together has remained true to its roots and has developed so it now helps social enterprises to start-up and thrive, secures major contacts for the sector to deliver and represents the social enterprise and wider third sector at a local, regional and national level.

Selnet chief executive Liz Tapner told the audience, at Preston’s Avenham Park Pavilion, about some of its major achievements including:

  • Selnet 10 LTDelivering business support programmes like LEAP and Start Up Lancashire;
  • Building a partnership of social enterprises involved in recycling to deliver the Care and Urgent Needs contract for Lancashire County Council;
  • Supporting the Recycling Network in Lancashire;
  • Continuing to bring opportunities to members and partners as much as we can

Guests enjoyed afternoon tea and music from Lytham-based singer-songwriter James Edgar (www.jamesedgarofficial.com)

 

 

Selnet would like to thank everybody that made it to the event, we hope you enjoyed it! 

 


 

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Collaborations Masterclass

Are you looking for new ways of working collaboratively, in partnership with likeminded organisations?

This is the event for you – This interactive session aims to give attendees an overview of the ways in which collaboration can help your organisation to achieve its goals. An overview of the different models through which organisations can collaborate will be provided. We will also explore motivations for collaborating and what factors are likely to make it a success.

Mutual Ventures is a socially-focussed consultancy, operating nationally, and committed to supporting charities and social enterprises to grow sustainably.

 

 


 

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Selnet Leading BBO Project 3 for Lancashire

Thank you to all organisations who expressed an interest, the call for partners is now closed and we can report that Selnet have received 95 responses!

This overwhelming response means that we are oversubscribed to the point of possibly being able to deliver the required project more than three times over!

We now have the huge task of selecting partners to include within our submission. Our aim as with the previous two projects is to utilise the skills and diversity within the Selnet board of directors and, with support from the consortium leaders who selected Selnet to lead this bid (Greater Together and FHWBC) work through this process.

Next Steps:

  • Liz and the Selnet team will do a ‘first sift’ of all EoI’s received. This will be based on the organisations governance, processes, in addition to mandatory requirements (i.e.Q3) you have detailed within your response
  • We will then analyse Lancashire demographics by district, based on the target groups
  • Then finally assess the EoI’s received looking in particular at the organisations ability and evidence of engagement and/or relationships with the particular target groups

We don’t envisage calling for theme leads at this point but, having gone through the above process we will feedback.

Again thank you for your interest in working with Selnet.

 

See the announcement below…

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Building Better Opportunities

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Second round of projects now open

Today we have published 61 new funding opportunities in 18 LEP areas. This is the second round of Building Better Opportunities projects to be opened for stage one applications. The first round was launched earlier this year and is now closed to new applications.
                  
Over the next few years funding will be delivered in 38 Local Enterprise Partnership areas supporting projects that tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.
 
More about the latest round of funding can be found in our newsroom.
 
Details of the projects now open for applications can be found on our website. The deadline for stage one applications is 12 noon Monday 30 November 2015.

 


 

 

 

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