Social Enterprise

Why study Social Enterprise?
What do small projects such as a community café run by volunteers have in common with huge operations like The Eden Project and The Big Issue, or exciting ventures like Jamie Oliver’s 15?

This programme will examine the links between businesses such as these, the people involved and what makes them social enterprises. Throughout, you will be encouraged to apply this knowledge to real life business in a practical way by developing your own project (real or theoretical) or participating in those originated by the group in workshop format.

We will be addressing such questions as:

  • If you want to start and run a social business how can you make a living if there is ‘no profit’?
  • If you have an idea for a social or community project where do you find the money to start?
  • If you work in the public, private or third sector how can the social enterprise business model help you deliver community benefit more effectively?
  • Running a business fairly, treating suppliers, staff and customers with respect sounds like old- fashioned ‘good business’ – so what’s new?
  • Why has the government made the social enterprise way of working central to its Big Society?

During this exciting and challenging programme, you will have the opportunity to learn how the various forms of social enterprise grow from community need, and explore how to turn disadvantage into a vehicle for the profitable and ethical delivery of goods and services to local and national communities. We will also reflect on the development of social enterprise from its inception through to its current status as an approach to sustainable business with social purpose.

The programme includes classroom input from practising entrepreneurs, social business owners, volunteers and funding advisers. Anticipated extra-curricular visits to agencies and businesses in the York area are part of the learning experience.

The background knowledge and practical skills offered by this programme will enable you to take informed decisions about social enterprise in its many forms, and enhance your participation as a citizen, volunteer, employee or social business leader.

Good Business with Soul
Join us as we explore social enterprise, looking at how we might improve some aspects of business and community life. This module will introduce the concept of social enterprise and offer students the tools to run a project for financial profit, and social benefit too – the second bottom line. Profit generation is essential to any project or business: it’s what happens to the profit that gives the enterprise social impact and integrity. Students will learn the necessary skills to set up and manage social and community enterprises in the competitive and complex environment of civil society. It is hoped that the module will include visits to social enterprises in York and input from people working in the sector. This module is the first part of the University Certificate of Lifelong Learning (Social Enterprise) and must be completed before students can undertake any of the other modules that form this certificate.
Paul Norbury BA PGCE
Term: Au
Day: Monday
Start Date: 03 October 2011
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20

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Big Society – Big Ideas: Developing a Successful Social or Community Business Project
There has never been a better time for entrepreneurs to launch new ideas for the improvement of our lives. This module will give you the opportunity to air your ideas in an environment where they might well grow wings! A successful social entrepreneur needs a sound grasp of legal, ethical, financial, management, marketing and leadership skills to turn an idea into reality. This module combines basic project management training with workshop sessions on actual York-based projects (including the students’ own if appropriate) to encourage ideas into life. It will provide practical access to the knowledge and skills required to develop your career in social enterprise, voluntary and community sectors at any level from volunteer, employee to self-employed or project manager. Students must have completed ‘Good Business with Soul’ to be eligible to enrol.
Paul Norbury BA PGCE
Term: Spring
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 11 January 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20

Unfortunately this course is unavailable - we will endeavour to offer it again next academic year

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Keeping the Wheels on – Running a Sustainable Enterprise
New opportunities are opening up in the third sector and civil society; however, projects are tested at an early stage for ‘sustainability’ by stakeholders. This means that even start-up enterprises in the community and voluntary sectors need to demonstrate they have the strength in leadership, planning, resources and finance to continue in operation and provide social benefit in the long-term. This module will be of interest to people seeking to start, develop and manage a social enterprise with a long-term vision, but also to those with experience of projects which have had grant support reduced or withdrawn. Participants will engage in theoretical and practical business planning, to identify and secure new revenue streams and diversification for sustained growth. It is hoped there will be field visits to social enterprises in York. Students must have completed ‘Good Business with Soul’ and ‘Big Society – Big Ideas’ to be eligible to enrol.
Paul Norbury BA PGCE
Term: Summer
Day: Monday
Start Date: 16 April 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20

Unfortunately this course is unavailable - we will endeavour to offer it again next academic year

 

Last Updated: December 20, 2011 | Iain Barr (ijb3@york.ac.uk)

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