2006 - 2024: 18 YEARS OF SUPPORTING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Based in the most deprived ward in the country, Social Enterprise Solutions is a community organisation that acts as a beacon of hope for many. Working primarily in the north west of England Social Enterprise Solutions CIC has successfully delivered enterprise support to individuals, community groups, charities, the private and the public sector in the development of social businesses. As thought-leaders in social enterprise, the team have initiated and driven a national approach to establishing Social Enterprise Places working in collaboration with Liverpool Hope University, Social Enterprise UK, Co-operatives UK, RBS and The Royal Society of Arts. Social Enterprise UK are now introducing the concept across the country.

Staff at Social Enterprise Solutions operate to the highest professional level as Chartered Management Institute accredited professional social business advisors, mentors and coaches specialising in social enterprise. The organisation has delivered enterprise start-up support through the European funds such as Building Better Opportunities and Start Up Lancashire. The team developed a regional reach through contracts with 3SC to deliver Future Jobs Fund placements, where opportunities were created for over 175 young people to work in the social enterprise sector.

But we’re more than just business advisors. We care passionately about the area that we work in and the wider social enterprise sector. Here’s just a flavour of the types of projects which the team has delivered:

  • Working with Myerscough College: We opened and managed a retail shop in St Anne’s for a Made in Lancashire pilot as a high street innovation project selling locally sourced ambient food products and crafts.
  • Blackpool & Fylde College: We developed and delivered a Social Enterprise Ambassador training pilot programme funded by the Learning and Skills Innovation Service.
  • JobCentre Plus: We arranged placements for people from disadvantaged areas to obtain private sector work experience. Also, we arranged a highly successful Linked-Up Start Up event in Blackpool bringing local employment-related agencies together with inspirational speakers to encourage economically inactive residents to consider the self-employment option
  • Housing Associations: Helping people to become employment ready.
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SES have collaborated closely with Business in The Community and have hosted three Blackpool Business Connectors/Place Coordinators since 2013 when we initially introduced Blackpool to BITC.

The strong collaboration between SES and BITC have remained to this day and, as part of a wider partnership, they have made a strong contribution to the successful £39.5m Town Deal. The Town Deal recognises that social enterprise is a model for better and more sustainable business in Blackpool and it commits the town to continue to grow the sector and embed social impact into the supply chain. “Blackpool will become a beacon of social enterprise, brought about by robust cross-sector working and by a bid for Social Enterprise Place status”

See if we can help

Phoning us will cost you nothing and much of what we do for qualifying groups is funded. So why not find out what kind of FREE support your group is entitled to?

Social Enterprise Solutions has been a leading member of our national infrastructure support organisation since 2008 and they have directly contributed to the development of SEUK in a number of ways; director, Clive Hirst, continues to provide a valuable contribution in his voluntary capacity as a council member. In addition, SES has developed a Social Enterprise Town concept collaboratively with Liverpool Hope University, ourselves and other key partners.

We would consider SES as responsible thought leaders in the development of the social enterprise sector

Peter Holbrook CBE
CEO, SEUK
Team

Our Experts

  • Tony Carr

    Managing Director

    Tony is a professionally accredited Chartered Management Institute social enterprise specialist...

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  • Clive Hirst

    Founder

    Clive led the organisation from a standing start in 2006 to becoming thought leaders in the field...

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  • Alistair Clarke

    Chair

    Alistair is the Chair of Social Enterprise Solutions. In 2020 he was awarded an MBE for services...

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  • Dennis Langley

    Executive Director

    Dennis is a professionally accredited social enterprise specialist business mentor. He has been...

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  • John Barnett

    Non-Exec Director

    Former High Sheriff of Lancashire (2016/17) and currently deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire. John...

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  • Jon Walton

    Non-Exec Director

    Jon is a leader within the Dept for Work and Pensions with experience in complex project delivery...

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