Why start a Social Enterprise?

Starting a business that's designed specifically to benefit the local community can be both personally rewarding, and crucial in supporting residents across Gateshead. A social enterprise can:

• offer vital products or services to people in the local area;
• give you the opportunity to change the community for the better;
• offer an important gateway back into employment, providing access to training, experience and new skills;
• give you the tools to make a real difference to your neighbourhood.

At Gateshead Council we have worked with many individuals and groups, helping them set-up or improve existing social enterprises, through our unique range of free advice, support and know how. Our help has enabled many Gateshead residents start:

• childcare projects;
• community cafes;
• neighbourhood sports facilities;
• and all kinds of enterprises that help the community and provide jobs for local people.

What help is available?

This project is part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £525,575 ERDF investment through regional development agency One North East. The ERDF programme is bringing over £250m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.”

Our team of dedicated staff can help you with all aspects of setting-up a social enterprise from:

• initial friendly advice on choosing the right idea;
• expert guidance on legal matters;
• training;
• funding;
• marketing.

We deliver a Business Collaboration Network which helps social enterprises in the area, by helping them create working relationships with other social enterprises, allowing them to share best practice within their business fields.

We also support existing charities and community groups grow with tailored guidance on trading, expansion, taking on staff, networking sustainability and fundraising.

Our economic development service team are here to help - so if you have an idea, contact us for free, friendly and expert advice on how to make your vision reality.

This Business Collaboration Network is funded by Gateshead Council as part of the Solutions for Business portfolio.