The East of England Co-operative Society’s Education Centre in Ipswich hosted a key event to celebrate Social Enterprise Day on Thursday 19th November 2009.

A wide range of activities and events were available as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week; a worldwide entrepreneurial movement that aims to encourage people to unleash their enterprising talents and turn their ideas into reality.

Along with more than 80 countries, events and activities across the UK Global Entrepreneurship Week encouraged enterprises in local areas and inspired individuals to make their ideas happen.  

Richard Samson, Chief Executive of the East of England Co-operative said:  “We were pleased to be able to make it possible for so many people involved in social enterprise to come together for this event.

“Specialist help and advice about setting up social enterprises and co-operative businesses was available, as well as help for those who already have their organisation up and running.

“Young people too were an important element of the day and with the backdrop of the global economic crisis we need to support and encourage young people, who are our ‘co-operative entrepreneurs’ of the future.” 

The Social Enterprise Fair, in partnership with Suffolk ACRE, Suffolk County Council and Social Enterprise East of England, involved a wide range of social enterprises and advisory organisations.  The Co-operative Gateway East of England ran an advice surgery for social enterprises and co-operatives and for those wanting to start up their own socially enterprising business.  Austen Cordasco of the Co-operative Gateway East of England was able to talk to seven potential businesses and said: “At least six of the seven business plans and operations that I saw today have been significantly progressed as a result of this contact.”

Social enterprises themselves also attended to provide information about their business and share their experiences, these included Suffolk Befriending Scheme, Brightspace, Menta, Foster Care Co-operative, Felixstowe Radio Community Interest Company, The People’s Community Garden, Purple Moments, Young InfoLink, Ipswich Ripple Food Co-op, Suffolk Scrap Store, Klass Kreation, Business Link and Karibu.

Helen Underwood from the Foster Care Co-operative said:  “Thanks for the opportunity to be part of this.”   Stuart Stevens and Gordon Soames of Purple Moments added that it was a “Great chance to network, thank you.”

Around fifty young people from Copleston High School participated in the East of England Co-operative Society’s ‘On the CASE’ Schools’ Project with the help of 1st Question Co-operative, who facilitated the project in school and worked with the young people on the day.   This enabled them to set up their own co-operative business making Christmas gifts and cards and they ran their stalls at the event to sell their wares. They took over £250 and any profits will be donated to a charity of their choice.

The Prince’s Trust ran a Co-operative Café, involving 16 - 25 year olds who are not in education, employment or training and are undergoing a course with the Prince’s Trust run by Ipswich Town Football Club’s Community Team.  1st Question Co-operative worked with the group to set up the business and provided training and gave support on the day.   The café traded from 10.30am to 3.30 pm serving bacon rolls, soup, cakes and drinks to the public and stall holders. The co-operative enterprise has donated £136 to the ITFC Community Trusts ‘Changing Lives’ fund as a result of their successful trading.

Bruce Provan, Suffolk County Council Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Skills, said “At Suffolk County Council we are proud to be working with our partners and young people to promote and celebrate the achievements of social enterprises. They are key to our future economy. They are based on sound business principles, they create employment and deliver benefit to the whole community.”

Scott Cain, Deputy Chief Executive of Enterprise UK, said:  “Events such as ‘Co-operating for Social Enterprise Day’ will help inspire people to take control through being entrepreneurial and collectively will have a long term positive impact on people in East Anglia.  It’s our enterprising people that will help drive economic recovery.  Through Global Entrepreneurship Week and the thousands of activities across the UK we aim to connect these fresh-thinkers to like-minded people at home and abroad.”

The event was run in partnership with Suffolk County Council’s Investing in Communities Team, Suffolk ACRE, Social Enterprise East of England and 1st Question Co-operative.  Nationally Global Entrepreneurship Week was co-ordinated by Enterprise UK and ran from 16th to 22nd November 2009.

PHOTO:  Young people from Coplestone High School set up their own co-operative business and are pictured with the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor David Goldsmith.

PHOTO:  The Prince’s Trust Co-operative Café provided refreshments for the Co-operating for Social Enterprise Day event.

Note to editors:

• The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and has over 200 trading outlets which are located in 74 towns and villages, including the three regional centres of Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.  
  
• The Society’s diverse business activities include: supermarkets and food stores, travel, pharmacy, optical and funeral branches, petrol forecourts and motor dealerships.  
   
  Contact:
  Miriam Harrup, Communications Manager,
  East of England Co-operative Society, Wherstead Park, The Street, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2BJ
  Email: m.harrup@eastofengland.coop