Social Enterprise Support
I have over 30 years experience running and supporting Social Enterprises. Developing businesses with some of the most marginalised people in the community, including disabled people, refugees, long term unemployed people and ex-prisoners. Social Enterprises often have different issues to standard businesses, weighing up their social impact whilst maintaining financially viability is vital and can be extremely challenging in these times. With my unique insight into what makes the people behind Social Enterprises tick, I understand the fine balance between the social drive and financial demands of these businesses. I can offer targeted advice and support to social enterprises around:
- Funding
- Grants and loans
- Governance
- Policies and Procedures
- Employment issues
- Tax
- Legal structure
- Social and Businesses Entrepreneurship
- Building networks and Networking
- Volunteering
“Darren focused us and with his sound advice and contacts helped us to become the fastest growing agency in the North West and with a reputation to match.
He has an amazing understanding of different components and business models, in particular, in relation to Social Enterprise and the rules that govern them. Darren gave us good solid down to earth advice that helped us to become the company we are today.
When our small enterprise became the largest independent support agency in the north west, it was Darren we turned to again and he helped take our company on to the next level, ensuring we had the infrastructure to deal with the demands that were coming. I will always be indebted for his help.”
“Thank you so much for your time and expertise. You made me focus so much on the business side of the business, which has always been my weakness. The things I was worrying and thinking about, you had the answers for, your direction has put our CIC on the right footing.”
“By the time we met Darren we had already seen 3 business advisers. I wish we had been lucky enough to meet Darren first. He gave us such excellent down to earth advice and in a very short time we were on our way. Darren has provided support at many points and still does. We would recommend him to anyone starting out or wanting to develop their business. His experience of helping others develop shines through. We honestly believe we wouldn’t be where we are if Darren hadn’t helped us.”