New charity partnership between Power to Change and School for Social Entrepreneurs will support 130 community business leaders

[Embargoed until 00:01 Thursday 11th May]

London, UK - An exciting new partnership between charities School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) and Power to Change will support 130 leaders of community businesses in England (organisations whose purpose is to benefit their local communities).

SSE and Power to Change today launch their Community Business Trade Up Programme. The programme supports the leaders of early-stage community businesses, with:

• a fully funded six-month learning programme (consisting of 12 learning days)

• a grant of up to £10,000

The focus of the programme is to grow community businesses’ impact by increasing income from trading.

The first phase of the programme runs from May to October 2017 in London and Liverpool and supports 30 community business leaders. The second phase will run from January - July 2018 and support a further 100 community business leaders across England.

Alastair Wilson, CEO of School for Social Entrepreneurs, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Power to Change to support the learning of community business leaders, people who commit themselves to improving their local areas and nurturing local vibrancy. School for Social Entrepreneurs has 20 years’ experience in helping leaders of social change develop the confidence, skills and networks to grow organisations that help people in need and improve communities. I’m excited to welcome the first 30 students to this programme, all of whom have the potential to increase the impact they create.”

Mark Gordon, Director of Communications at Power to Change, said: “Community business is all about exploring new ways to help local areas grow and thrive. This is a great opportunity for new entrepreneurs to look at new ways of doing business and doing good.”

The 30 community business leaders beginning the programme in May consist of two cohorts of 10 based at School for Social Entrepreneurs London, and one cohort of 10 is based at School for Social Entrepreneurs North West (based in Liverpool).

Community business leaders who are interested in applying for the second phase of the programme, which offers 100 places at locations across England, can register their interest and find out more at https://www.the-sse.org/courses/community-business/

ENDS

Further info: https://www.the-sse.org/courses/community-business/

Press contacts

• SSE: Sophie Hobson, communications manager – 0207 089 9120 / sophie.hobson@sse.org.uk

• Power to Change: Russell Hargrave, Press Manager – 07770 729557 / russellh@powertochange.org.uk

** Notes to editors **

* The Community Business Trade Up Programme *

The Community Business Trade Up Programme is a learning programme accompanied by a grant of up to £10,000 for early-stage community businesses that are planning to grow. The programme is run by School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) with support from Power to Change. The programme includes 12 learning days, spread over six months.

The programme will support 130 community business leaders in total. The first phase of the programme will run from May to October 2017 and support 30 community business leaders at SSE London (London) and SSE North West (Liverpool). The second phase of the programme will support a further 100 community business leaders across England via School for Social Entrepreneurs’ eight schools based in England. It will run from January to July 2018. You can find out more and register your interest in the programme at https://www.the-sse.org/courses/community-business/

* About community businesses*

A community business is run by and for a local community. Its profits are reinvested for the benefit of that community.

* About School for Social Entrepreneurs*

School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) empowers people to create change in their communities and improve the lives of others. It supports social entrepreneurs: people who tackle social problems by starting, scaling and sustaining organisations. SSE helps hundreds of social-sector leaders every year through courses, connections and ongoing support. Michael Young founded SSE in 1997 in London. Today, its network of 11 schools impacts communities across the UK, Canada and India. www.the-sse.org.

* About Power to Change *

Power to Change is an independent trust, whose funding is used to strengthen community businesses across England. At a time when many parts of the UK face cuts, neglect and social problems, we are helping local people come together to take control, and make sure their local areas survive and stay vibrant. http://www.powertochange.org.uk/


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About School for Social Entrepreneurs

School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) empowers people to create change in their communities and improve the lives of others. It supports social entrepreneurs: people who tackle social problems by starting, scaling and sustaining organisations. SSE helps more than 1,000 leaders of social change every year through courses, connections and support. Michael Young founded SSE in 1997 in London. Today, its network of 11 schools impacts communities across the UK, Canada and India. www.the-sse.org