Expert support with setting off on a social enterprise journey

The first in a new series of webinars designed specifically to increase the number of women entrepreneurs across the nation will begin this month with a focus on setting up social enterprises.

The ‘AWEN (all women entrepreneurial network): Ready to start a Social Enterprise?’ event, run by Chwarae Teg and funded by NatWest, will provide expert knowledge regarding the social enterprise movement as well as practical advice and guidance on setting one up – from financial planning to getting the right team together.

Taking place from 10:30am – 12:30pm on 17th May 2022, the free session will feature expertise from guest speakers Sue Dovey of Sue Dovey Associates and Rachael Hobbs, Business Advisor at Social Business Wales, part of the Wales Cooperative Centre.

Sue is a consultant and financial coach who began her career in international finance before progressing into the not-for-profit sector for almost 25 years – most recently as CEO of Action Hampshire which included supporting the set-up of over 200 social enterprises as Head of School for Social Entrepreneurs Hampshire.

Rachael has a background in international marketing and entrepreneurship, and in her current role provides 1-2-1 business advice, support and mentoring to social enterprises and those who wish to start them.

Social enterprises are businesses that create positive social or environmental change. They create employment opportunities and reinvest their profits back into their business or the local community and here in the UK they contribute over £60 billion to the economy every year.

Sue Dovey said: “I have long been passionate about ethical business and social entrepreneurialism with a particular interested in increasing the confidence, skills and employability of women. I’m therefore delighted to be joining the AWEN webinar which I’m sure will prove to be incredibly useful to any women wanting to find out more about social enterprises and developing their own ideas.”

Rachael Hobbs said: “By starting a social enterprise women will be joining an already large movement of people who are disrupting traditional business models, showing that there is a fairer, greener and more inclusive way to do business. I hope that together as part of this webinar we can encourage many others to do just that.”

Emma Tamplin, Collaboration Manager, Chwarae Teg, said: “We know that a lot of women have some great social enterprise ideas but often lack the confidence to take the first step to realising it, or feel they need more practical information. This webinar will show them the way in a supportive and informative environment.”

To register for ‘AWEN: Ready to start a Social Enterprise?’ go to: https://bit.ly/awen-social-enterprise