Next steps links
These websites are all great sources of information about social enterprise and how you can get involved. If you need inspiration, check out our list of social enterprises to see what other people are doing in this area.
businesslink.gov.uk Gives wide ranging advice to all businesses, including social enterprises. Search the site for 'social enterprise' and find specific information about things to consider when setting up a social enterprise. The site also includes links to further sources of advice and help, including websites and materials developed by the social enterprise sector.ChangeMakers Offers youth led learning programmes, grant schemes and volunteering initiatives which will help young people get more involved in their local community.
Community Action Network CAN provides office space for social enterprises, is a network for established social enterprises and can help provide funding for social enterprises wanting to scale up.
i-genius.org i-genius is a community of social entrepreneurs that encourages fresh thinking and bright ideas, and helps its members connect with other likeminded people.
Judge Business School (Cambridge) Offers a masters degree course in community enterprise.
National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship Aims to raise the profile of entrepreneurship and the option of starting your own business as a career choice amongst students and graduates.
Next Billion News and articles on ‘development through enterprise’.
Prince's Trust A charity that 'helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working'. The trust is developing a specific social enterprise support programme.
School for Social Entrepreneurs Provides training to enable young people to use their skills for social benefit.
setas.co.uk The Social Enterprise Training and Support Consortium website is an excellent information resource for social entrepreneurs, helping you to find training, support and publications on your chosen subject or in a specific geographic area.
Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship The Saïd Business School at Oxford University aims to be the world's leading academic institution for social entrepreneurship. Runs MBAs in social entrepreneurship and hosts the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship.
Social Enterprise Magazine Monthly news magazine for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. If you are interested in learning more about social enterprises then take a look at the Social Enterprise Coalition's website
socialenterprise.org.uk The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise. Part of its work involves promoting best practice in the sector and you can access a range of inspiring case studies online.
Social Enterprise Training and Support Website (SETAS)
stridingout.co.uk A support service for aspiring young social and ethical entrepreneurs, providing inspiring events, a community network, one to one coaching and engaging training.
The Hub Office space for social entrepreneurs. A great place for starting a new organisation with a group of similarly-minded people.Unltd A charity which supports social entrepreneurs by offering funding opportunities.
Venturesome is run by Charities Aid Foundation, it offers information on how to find finance to scale up a Social Enterprise or Charity.Young entrepreneurs online Advice for future entrepreneurs with a dedicated section on social enterprise.
Social enterprises
bespokeexperience.comBespoke Experience creates high-end tourism lodges in Mozambique, to enable communities to work their way out of extreme poverty.
bigissue.comThe Big Issue works with homeless people across the world. The magazine that's at the centre of its work is sold on the streets by homeless people who buy the magazine from the organisation and sell it on at a profit - which they keep.
blueventures.orgBlue Ventures facilitates projects and expeditions that enhance global marine conservation and research.
cafedirect.co.ukCafédirect is the UK's largest Fairtrade hot drinks company. It works in partnership with small-scale growers across the developing world, ensuring that all growers get a fair price.
cat.org.ukThe Centre for Alternative Technology develops practical ways of addressing environmental problems such as climate change and pollution.
can-online.org.uk CAN offers social enterprises online support and advice, as well as events, conferences, seminars and workshops. Basic membership is free of charge.
cdf.org.uk The Community Development Foundation is a non departmental public body of Department for Communities and Local Government. It provides intelligence, guidance and delivery on community development in the UK.
coinstreet.org Coin Street Community Builders is a development trust and social enterprise that manages a large area of land and property between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars bridge on the south bank of the river Thames in London.
divinechocolate.comDivine Chocolate is made with cocoa grown by Kuapa Kokoo, a cocoa farmers' organisation in Ghana - and Kuapa Kokoo co-owns the company as well.
edenproject.com The Eden Project promotes the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources leading towards a sustainable future for all.
Fifteen One of the country's most famous social enterprises, thanks to Channel 4's hit TV show 'Jamie's Kitchen' which was broadcast in 2002. Fifteen is now one of the capital's most popular restaurants.greenestate.orgGreen Estate was established to turn the neglected open spaces of Manor & Castle in Sheffield into useful places.
green-works.co.ukGreen Works passes on redundant office furniture from the commercial world at very low cost to charities, schools, community groups and start-up businesses in the UK.
horsesmouth.co.uk horsesmouth is the first dedicated website for infomal e-mentoring, where everyone can give and gain. It's where social networking meets social enterprise and where human capital is unlocked to create social capital.
makeyourmarkwithatenner.orgMake Your Mark with a Tenner is a groundbreaking challenge for 10,000 students to make an impact with just £10.
ncvo-vol.org.uk Useful information on social enterprise from NCVO, which supports voluntary and community organisations.
proveandimprove.org Proving and Improving is an online toolkit that can help social enterprises to measure their impact and demonstrate the quality of what they do and how they operate.
purepotential.orgPure Potential helps tens of thousands of bright students from year 12 onwards with their journey through university and career.
ruralnetuk.orgruralnet|uk is a rural regeneration charity that promotes a living and working countryside and finds new ways for rural communitites to strengthen their local economies.
scagroup.co.ukThe SCA Health & Care Group operates in the central south of England, providing social and community care services as well as NHS dental practices.
sel.org.uk Social Enterprise London aims to establish London as one of the foremost social enterprise communities. It promotes community, best practice and skills development for the social enterprise sector.socialeconomybristol.org.uk Social Economy Bristol provides information about social enterprise in Bristol, including work and training opportunities.
socialenterprisemag.co.uk Social Enterprise Magazine provides news and practical help for people working in social enterprise.
sse.org.uk The School for Social Entrepreneurs provides training and support to enable people to use their creative and entrepreneurial abilities more fully for social benefit. The organisation also has a blog
stridingout.co.ukStriding Out supports young people who have enterprising ambitions, through coaching, networking, training opportunities and professional advice.
sunderlandhomecare.co.ukSunderland Home Care Associates offers home care packages and care services for people in the Sunderland area.
telfordunited.co.ukAFC Telford United is owned by its supporters - Telford United Supporters Ltd.
thecircusspace.co.uk The Circus Space is one of the top three circus schools in Europe, and also works to redefine perceptions of circus and broaden its appeal.
tiptheplanet.com Tiptheplanet is a green wiki website that encourages discussion and the generation of tips that benefit people and the planet.