Did you know there are around 11,500 social enterprises in the South West? In today's challenging business climate it's more important than ever to support these organisations to thrive.
Start Up to Scale Up is a series of 5 online webinars to help social enterprises in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay develop their knowledge and skills and deepen their impact.
Who can benefit from these sessions?
- Individual social entrepreneurs looking to set up a social enterprise for social, cultural or environmental benefit
- Grant funded organisations transitioning to a more diverse mix of income including trading and social investment or loans
- Existing social enterprises which, having become established, now want consolidate their achievements or go for growth.
What will this first session cover?
Session 1: ‘Mapping the Landscape’
24 November 11am – 1pm
We will be looking at the rise of social enterprises in the South West and exploring their characteristics.
We'll also be sharing local case studies that demonstrates the range of approaches social entrepreneurs can take.
You'll leave this session feeling clear about what social enterprises are and how to spot one, plus which type of business model might be best for your current or future enterprise.
This is also a great opportunity to be a part of the conversation about future support for the social enterprise sector and a chance to find out about up to 6 hours' business support that may be available!
Help us plan the future sessions
As well as you learning about the world of social enterprises from us, we're also keen to learn from you! What topics would you like us to cover in the future sessions? What do you need most support with?
We want you to get maximum benefit from these webinars and by coming along to this first session, you can help us make that happen.
The next four sessions will take place from January - March 2027.
Your facilitator
Hannah Reynolds has been involved in developing social enterprise for over twenty years. She was the first Director of Learning for the national School for Social Entrepreneurs, setting up learning and support programmes for social entrepreneurs in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland,as well as subsequent roles as social enterprise consultant and business mentor. She was the founding Chair, and remains a trustee, of a community asset transfer in Exeter.
Who is organising ‘Start Up to Scale Up’?
Devon Communities Together has been funded by Devon County Council to deliver a series of five webinars todevelop the skills of the social enterprise sectoracross Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. We are also being supported with input and case studies from social enterprise support networks in Plymouth and Torbay and individual social enterprises providing case studies.
