North East Enterprise Agency Limited: Business with Purpose (BWP) programme

The programme provides an holistic offer, which could support a potential social entrepreneur right through their journey: from ideation, through business, market and financial planning, to support to establish the business. A small 'Test the Market' grant fund is available to assist individuals to assess whether there is a demand and market for their proposed business idea before they begin trading.

The programme also supports Socially Trading Organisations (STOs) wishing to grow, with strategic and operational management, income stream identification and diversification, securing investment and taking on staff. 

What will the programme cover?

Support available includes workshop provision and one-to-one support from business advisers experienced in working with socially trading organisations, or those who wish to start one.

Who can apply?

Individuals living in, or existing STOs based in, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland are eligible to access this support.  

2022-25 delivery

52 clients across Gateshead engaged with the start up offer, resulting in a number of starts now offering services in their local communities eg a business offering exercise classes for over 50s with long term health conditions. 34 existing STOs engaged with the programme and received support to develop their businesses. Both figures demonstrating that there is both demand for support to starts STOs and a healthy sized cohort of existing STOs already working in the area who are keen to grow their services. £93k of grant/other finance was introduced into 3 Gateshead based STOs as a result of support received from the programme.

2025-26 delivery

They aim to build on the 2022-25 work and continue to embed socially trading businesses into the communities of Gateshead.

Contact

Sue Parkinson
07833 741287
sue@s-parkinson.co.uk
www.neeal.co.uk