Information and advice
Our Information and Advice Service has been set up to help those already running social enterprises and those looking to set up a social enterprise to realise their full potential and that of their social enterprise. All of our specialist services are provided by a team of experienced advisers over the phone, via email and online via webcam.
Starting up, growing or diversifying
Whether starting up a social enterprise, growing an established enterprise or seeking to diversify, our qualified Information and Advice Team is available to provide the following services free-of-charge:
- Answers and solutions to general enterprise questions
- Guidance and support on how to plan, set up, manage or grow a social enterprise
- Specific information and advice on: business planning, sales (including costing and pricing), procurement, marketing and PR, service and product development, research, HR and recruitment, finance (including financial planning), legal, training
- Organisational development
- Resource management (including graduate placements), strategic and operational planning and reviews
- Contract and tender bid development
- Impact measurement and evaluation
- Investment readiness guidance
- Start-up or growth ‘next step’ action planning
- Template documents such as employment contracts, standard terms and conditions, corporate policies
- Business information factsheets
- Company House searches
- Business plan templates and start up guide (specifically for social enterprises)
For information, advice or support telephone: 0844 9800 760 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm excl. Bank Holidays).
Ongoing support
Our key focus is on supporting and facilitating enterprise sustainability, growth and social impact, so an important facet of our service is the way in which we proactively continue to work closely with individuals, social enterprises and other organisations on an on-going basis.
The ongoing support is tailored and planned in stages to meet the needs of an individual, enterprise or organisation; this can be in the form of further information, advice or guidance through to training, enterprise coaching or management mentoring.
Specialist advice
If you are looking for more in-depth advice, we have a range of specialist subsidised, fee-based services: