**Please Note: July 2015**
The Impact Programme has now come to an end and regrettably we cannot support any new clients under it now.
Did you know?
Inspire2Enterprise offers a programme of free support to anyone looking to start, grow or improve their social enterprise. This includes voluntary & community groups and charities wishing to develop, or improve income generation activities; such as selling a product or service and contract delivery.
One of the biggest challenges facing the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is increasing operating costs. In recent years the cost of energy and raw materials has risen dramatically. When this is coupled with a reduction in income it threatens the financial sustainability of organisations.
"Between 2010/11 and 2011/12. total income from Government to voluntary sector organisations fell by £1.3 billion in real terms."*
Examples of the support we typically provide include:
- Business planning
- Advice on legal structures
- Assisting existing organisations to develop new services
- Guidance on measuring social impact
- Contract readiness support
- Resource efficiency advice - reducing operating costs
Thanks to additional funding through the Impact Programme***, in addition to the existing telephone, email and online support, we are now able to provide face-to-face advice to organisations based in the East of England.**
Increasingly government funding is being provided in the form of contracts, "with 81% of voluntary sector income from Government earned through the delivery of contracts; an increase from just 49% in 2000/01."*
This means that VCSE organisations need to:
- Manage their costs more efficiently
- Price their products or services accurately
- Improve their ability to bid for, and win, contracts
- Demonstrate their social and environmental impact
Take the next step
Our experts are here to help you.
Contact us on our free-to-access service today to find out more.
*Source: NCVO UK Civil Society Almanac 2014.
** The East of England covers the counties of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
***The Impact Programme was a University of Northampton initiative delivered by Inspire2Enterprise, providing a unique blend of business support and resource efficiency to social enterprises and voluntary and community organisations based in the East of England. The Programme has now come to an end and regrettably we cannot support any new clients under it now.
