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Welcome to Cheshire & Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership site. This is the place to come for up to date news, information and whats on in the world of social enterprise. View the Cheshire & Warrington Social Enterprise Strategy 2007-10
Award approves the coordination of Furniture Re-use as business for ‘People and Planet’
The national body for furniture re-use organisations has passed strict controls to be the very first national network, to receive the Social Enterprise Mark. The Social Enterprise Mark is a label of trust for customers. It proves a company is trading for the benefit of society or the environment, rather than for shareholders or owners. The Mark is being presented to the FRN by award winning journalist and social commentator Polly Toynbee, a longtime friend of the furniture re-use sector.
The Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) join other visionary social enterprises using the Mark in the UK, such as Eden Project, Wise Group, Emmaus, Sofa Project, Hill Holt Wood, Sunlight Enterprises, Sandwell Community Caring Trust, and the Co-operative Group, as well as Employers for Childcare in Northern Ireland and many others.
The FRN is the national body co-ordinating the re-use of household and office items for the alleviation of poverty. Its social enterprise arm FRN Enterprises is trading with national high street names to reduce waste, tackle climate change and provide furniture and appliances at affordable prices. FRN works with over 300 members across the UK. It is leading the way for all kinds of recycling social enterprises to aspire to achieve the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark.
Paul Smith, Chief Executive of FRN, said:
“We’re very pleased to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. It will help us demonstrate to our members and our partners in the public and private sector that we are genuinely trading for people and planet. It is also recognition of the development of many re-use charities into viable social enterprises creating real value in their communities”
“This is just the beginning, and we believe many more recycling social enterprises will want the Social Enterprise Mark because it helps their customers identify them and make ethical purchases. The Social Enterprise Mark shows people when a business is truly socially motivated."
Lucy Findlay, RISE Chief Executive added:
“This is a really important step for the Social Enterprise Mark in becoming understood by the general public. Social enterprise has not been widely-understood, but as the Mark becomes more widely visible and accessible, more customers can choose to spend their money responsibly and be sure of where their money will go. For shoppers, the Mark guarantees their money will go towards tackling social or environmental need, and for traders it’s a great opportunity to show off their ethical credentials and to attract new customers.”
Hardship Fund
Building on the £42.5 million package of measures in the Governments Real Help for Communities Action Plan, the Hardship Fund offers an additional £16.7 million of support for third sector organisations in England delivering front line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society.
The Hardship Fund offers grants between £50,000 and £250,000 to third sector organisations that are suffering financial hardship that is impacting on their ability to deliver front line services in health and social care, housing support, education and training and advice, information and guidance. To apply, organisations must have a turnover of £200,000 a year or more.
The Hardship Fund will be administered by the Community Development Foundation (CDF). More information about how to apply and the guidance notes for applicants can be found on the CDF website via the link below or by calling 0113 246 1561.
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