People with a passion for making positive change in their communities are being encouraged to take advantage of free support to set up or grow social enterprises in Sunderland.
Organisers or would-be founders of community projects like soup kitchens and skills swaps, community shops and gardens, kids’ clothing and toy banks are being encouraged to seek free expert support now from the North East BIC’s Innovate for Good Programme.
Support is available for new and existing social enterprises. Applicants need have no experience in business – just a great idea for making a difference in their community.
Chris Nicholas, founder of Sunderlandbased Iceguys CIC, a social enterprise which organises weekly sea swimming sessions for men as a means of boosting their mental and physical health, said: ”The support of the BIC has been brilliant for us.
”We’d been going for a year before someone suggested we talk to the BIC about becoming a social enterprise. I had no idea what a social enterprise even was at the time, and now, thanks to BIC’s support, we’ve been able to access funding to grow, setting up more swimming groups and adding other activities including running and walking. This means more men can access our activities and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits they bring.
