Are you interested in setting up or developing a Community/Social Enterprise?
"A community or social enterprise is a formally constituted group or business which trades primarily for social purposes rather than being driven by the need to maximise profits. While governance and legal structures will vary, they exist for the benefit of the local community, either to promote a particular activity or service or to achieve a set of socially based objectives." - A formal definition of community and social enterprise
There are already huge numbers of examples of Community and Social Enterprises in rural communities across Gloucestershire such as; community buildings, community owned pubs and shops, libraries, youth services, sports clubs and markets. Other communitie are now realising how this model can work for them.
GRCC support to community and social enterprises
GRCC has over 80 years of experience of supporting the development of community led initiatives in rural Gloucestershire. Community and Social Enterprise will require the support of the local community or have an established market in order to be sustainable.
Make GRCC your first port of call for advice relating to:
- Finding out what your community needs and wants
- Getting your project up and running
- Initial start up, including legal structures and finances
- Business planning
- Ongoing expectations
If we don't have the answer, GRCC has fantastic links with other agencies and we'll help you find the appropriate contact.
Knowing who to contact at GRCC
GRCC can offer professional advice and these are your contacts:
- For anything relating to community buildings please contact Barbara Pond bpond@grcc.org.uk
- For anything relating to rural service provision please contact Chris Cowcher christopherc@grcc.org.uk (GRCC Community Enterprise Adviser)
- For general advice relating to community and social enterprise please contact Marilyn Cox marilync@grcc.org.uk
GRCC provides support to community and social enterprises in Gloucestershire as part of the Rural Development Programme for England. Please click on the logo above to find out about what support is available.