A group of entrepreneurs who took part in a year-long business support programme have celebrated graduating from the School for Social Entrepreneurs Dartington in Bristol.
The Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, staged in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), gives fledgling entrepreneurs financial and comprehensive learning support including a business mentoring scheme.
The 21 taking part in the latest course – a number from Bristol – received start-up grants of £4,000 from the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme. Their businesses range from clothes retailers and designers to an enterprise selling alternative sustainable sanitary products.
With the action learning programme delivered in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs – and support from their Lloyds mentor – it enabled them to take their social enterprises to the next level and plan for the future.
Launched in 2012, the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs, is designed to support social entrepreneurs in communities and, through them, help stimulate economic growth and regeneration across the UK.
Recent research by CAN Invest and investing for Good demonstrates the positive impact of the programme on people, businesses and communities. By 2017 the programme will have created more than 7,000 jobs and supported 1.1m beneficiaries. The programme is also supported by The Big Lottery Fund.
Lloyds Banking Group head of the social entrepreneurs programme, Paula Rogers, said: “This year’s cohort of students has made significant progress since joining the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs, and it is fantastic to see them developing their ideas and businesses first-hand with the support from the programme.
“As part of our commitment to helping Britain prosper, we are proud to witness the considerable impact these social entrepreneurs are having in their communities and wish them all success for the future.”
SSE Dartington CEO Dirk Rohwedder added: “We have an outstanding group of social entrepreneurs graduating from the 2015/2016 cohort and the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme has played a considerable role in supporting their development this year.
“We look forward to watching their continued success and positive impact they are making in their local communities”.
The graduation ceremony took place at Bristol’s City Hall.
Among them was Michelle Meredith of Michelle Community Engagement Consultancy (MSE), which provides professional services to help clients positively engage with the community and their stakeholders.
MCE Consultancy will assist clients across all sectors to better connect with diverse communities groups, improve their social responsibility and better understand their stakeholders.
