Our Work - Community and Social Enterprise

A social enterprise is a different way to do business; profits are reinvested back into its services or the community. With no financial commitments to shareholders or owners, social enterprises are free to use their surplus income to invest in their operations to make them as efficient and effective as possible. Social enterprises are distinctive from traditional charities or voluntary organisations in that they generate the majority, if not all, of their income through the trading of goods or services rather than through donations. This gives them a degree of self-reliance and independence which puts them firmly in control of their own activities.

Who is it for?

Voluntary or community groups looking to run a village business e.g. their village shop, pub or playgroup
Existing businesses looking for a new way of working
Motivated individuals with an idea

What is it?

”A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”

Social Enterprise Action Plan 2006

A social enterprise will generally integrate two objectives

A primary objective; which will be a social (and/or ethical and/or environmental) objective and
A secondary objective; which will be a commercial objective: To achieve and increase surplus and realise growth (like any traditional business)

Social enterprises mix social, environmental and commercial objectives but they place a clear emphasis on the former.

Investment perspective: Social enterprises must ‘principally’ direct financial surpluses back into the business or the cause it serves, whereas social businesses can distribute dividends or create value through capital appreciation.

How we can help?

We give impartial advice for social enterprises on setting up
We can advise on funding options
We signpost to other support agencies and organisations
We facilitate networking opportunities to share best practice and success stories

For more information call 01823 331222 or email keeley@somersetrcc.org.uk

Additional help

Grassroots – social enterprise network for Somerset and Devon, co-hosted by Community Council for Somerset and Cascade Training. www.somersetrcc.org.uk
www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk - (training and support for the social purpose sector)
www.wessexrt.co.uk - (Wessex Reinvestment Trust)
www.creatingexcellence.org.uk - (Creating Excellence – Taunton)
www.fredericksfoundation.org - loans for business and social enterprise

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The Coffee Shop, North Curry is a community project run by volunteers. In addition to light refreshments, they sell visual arts and local handcrafts, fresh flowers and second hand books. The coffee shop leases part of a restored farm stable near the centre of North Curry and opened for business in May 2006. There are three tables inside the Coffee Shop, but in the summer months can set three tables on the terrace outside and therefore can cater for up to twenty-four.