Useful Links

BIGinvest

BIGinvest is a £3.5 million sustainable loan fund for social enterprises founded by The Big Issue. It is also run as a social enterprise. The website allows users to download an application form, and also contains details of its current loan portfolio.

CAN

CAN is the UK's leading organisation for the development, promotion and support of social enterprises. It offers shared office space, strategic support, growth capital and networking opportunities. Its website contains details of all of these activities.

Community Interest Companies Regulator

To be a community interest company, social enterprises must apply to the office of the CIC regulator, and demonstrate they they are operating in the community interest. The CIC regulator's site contains information about how to apply, as well as an extensive question and answer section explaining the difference between CICs and other legal structures.

Department of Health Social Enterprise Unit

The Department of Health is committed to encouraging social enterprise in health and social care. This part of the DoH website contains details of the department's pathfinder programme and social enterprise fund.

Nearbuyou

Nearbuyou is a national trading network for social enterprises and those wanting to trade with them. The site contains tenders, offers and requests. It also allows people to search for social enterprises near them. A directory of social enterprise venues can be downloaded.

Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition

The SSEC is a membership-led collective lobbying organisation for social enterprise in Scotland. The website contains details of SSEC's policies and campaigns, as well as details of its upcoming events, and links to various news articles on social enterprise in Scotland.

Senscot

Senscot is a membership and networking organisation dedicated to supporting individual social entrepreneurs and their enterprises in Scotland. Its website contains news, opinions and a directory maps social enterprises across Scotland according to local authority areas.

Setas

This Social Enterprise Training and Support Consortium is a consortium of social enterprise training providers and support agencies from across the country. Its website is a resource to help social enterprises find appropriate training, support and relevant publications. It also contains news and an events calendar.

Shop Social Enterprise

Shop Social Enterprise is a website listing and selling a huge range of products produced by social enterprises. The products are grouped into broad areas such as lifestyle and learning, and there is also a product search function.

Social Enterprise Coalition

The SEC is the UK's national membership organisation for social enterprise, aimed at sharing best practice and influencing policy. Its website contains details of upcoming seminars and conferences, policy documents, training materials, best practice guides and information about the sector.

Social Enterprise London

Social Enterprise London (SEL) is a specialist agency working to support social enterprise in London by promoting community, best practice and skills development. The website contains details of SEL events, training opportunities and research, plus links to press coverage of social enterprise.

Social Enterprise Support Centre

The Social Enterprise Support Centre for West Yorkshire (SESC) supports the development of businesses with a social aim in the county. Its website contains tender alerts, a library and details of events and networks, as well as a newsletter.