7 April 2006: Support for Social Enterprise by social enterprise

Business Link Wessex is leading the way in providing specialist support services for Social Enterprises in the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset area. Business Link has recruited well-known local provider of social enterprise and co-operative development services Co-operative Assistance Network (CAN to it's friends) to deliver a series of awareness days and training sessions from the end of spring this year initially on a one-year contract.

With over 20 years experience of development provision to the sector, and 5 years of running both accredited and individual training courses locally, CAN's knowledge of the requirement of social enterprises is hard to beat, and BLWx has recognised this as a critical factor in delivering relevant, meaningful support to this growing sector.

Aimed at start-up and social enterprise organisations in their first 18 months of trading, a total of 14 courses will be offered in various locations around the region so that access is not a problem, including Aldershot, Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Blackfield, Bournemouth, Bridport, Gosport, Newport, Portsmouth, Ryde, Sherborne, Southampton and Weymouth. The courses will consist of an awareness day to check suitability, three days training and a one-on-one session to make sure an achievable action plan puts the learning in context for the organisation.

Registered as a co-operative itself, CAN has first hand experience of social enterprises, and feels that this strength will come through in the delivery of this contract. Chris Funnell, a founder member and director of CAN explains:

"It's a really positive sign of the times that a social enterprise like CAN has won the contract to deliver this training to other social enterprises in a fair competition against other well-respected training organisations. It sends a strong message that social enterprises have quality and value to add to the mainstream organisations and are no longer marginalised."

CAN's Press Officer is Sarah Kiss: sarah@can.coop telephone: 0845 3733616

If you are interested in engaging CAN to carry out a piece of work please refer to the contacts page for details of your nearest CAN Regional Manager.

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