New Start for social businesses in east Wales
Dechrau Newydd ar gyfer busnesau cymdeithasol yn nwyrain Cymru
Counsel General and Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles today announced a £700,000 expansion to support the creation of new social businesses in East Wales.
Thanks to EU funding, Social Business Wales New Start project has been supporting new social businesses in the West Wales and Valleys region since June 2019.
There are more than 2000 social businesses in Wales, worth more than £3 billion to the Welsh economy. They employ around 55,000 people and offer volunteering opportunities to around 58,000 more.
Mr Miles said, “I’m delighted that this additional funding will provide the tools to help set up another 50 social businesses in east Wales, owned and controlled by the communities they serve, and earning profits that can be reinvested in those communities and create much needed jobs.
“It’s essential that we continue to control our own future regional investment strategy in future, channelling funds like this to support all parts of Wales. We’ll be releasing more details on how we would like this to look in the coming weeks.”
The Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, with responsibility for the Valleys Taskforce, Lee Waters said: “Growing the valuable social enterprise sector is part of our ambition to achieve our aim of Prosperity for All as it plays a key role in the foundational and wider economy.
"This important sector creates jobs, improves educational attainment, provides social care in people’s homes and reduces inequality, particularly in our most deprived communities. I am delighted further funding is being provided to expand the project into the East Wales region.”
Working with Business Wales and Social Business Wales, Social Business Wales (New Start) will provide the tools and one to one support to help set up new social businesses, targeting communities that have seen significant economic decline such as inner city areas, and coastal and rural communities.
Carly McCreesh, Project Manager for Social Business Wales at the Wales Co-operative Centre said: “At the Wales Co-operative Centre we understand the importance of social businesses in helping to build a fairer economy which purposefully uses profit to help both people and the planet.
“The latest EU set of funding from Welsh Government for a new start business support service in East Wales will help us reach our ambitious target of creating 250 social businesses across Wales over the next three years, providing quality jobs and essential services anchored in our communities.
“So if you are an ambitious social entrepreneur from East Wales with an exciting idea for a new business and have a clear vision of the impact you want to make, please get in touch with our Social Business Wales project to find out about the specialist support we can offer.”
Notes to editors
Notes
- EU funds totalling £3 million for Social Business Wales (New Start – West Wales and the Valleys) was announced in 2019. Led by Wales Co-operative Centre, the project aims to create 200 social businesses over the next three years
- Since 2007, EU-funded projects in Wales have created 51,300 jobs and 14,500 new businesses. In addition, 27,000 businesses have been assisted with funding or support and 92,000 people have been helped into work.
Case study
New Start Social Business - Case Study – National Botanic Garden of Wales/ British Bird of Prey Centre
Who needed help?
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a visitor attraction in Carmarthenshire featuring a range of themed gardens, a tropical Butterfly House, and the largest single-span glasshouse in the world. It is also a well-known centre for botanical research and conservation.
In 2016, the National Botanic Garden looked for a way to attract more visitors to rural Carmarthenshire, and to increase trading income.
What support did they need?
Project Manager, Alex Rowland, said, “We wanted to encourage more people to visit the Garden all year round, so we looked for ways to create an additional attraction.
“We decided to set up a partnership with the British Bird of Prey Centre Ltd, and to create a new, dedicated, attraction at the Garden. The aviary would connect closely with our conservation and sustainability theme, showcasing and teaching visitors about Britain’s native raptors, and how our actions can help conserve Britain’s wild birds.
“We needed help to make sure that this new trading activity would be financially viable for both partners. Social Business Wales supported us by commissioning a detailed financial forecast to make sure. They also gave us legal advice to put together a formal collaborative partnership agreement with the British Bird of Prey Centre Ltd.”
What impact did the support have?
The British Bird of Prey Centre opened in summer 2018.
Visitors can watch flying demonstrations, interact with and learn about the UK’s native birds of prey. Understanding the birds, and the way that modern society is impacting on their natural habitats, inspires visitors to look at ways to protect these native British species.
More people have visited the National Botanic Garden since the aviary opened, especially younger visitors who might not have been interested before the British Bird of Prey Centre was launched. Visitors, including school groups, become more connected with the natural environment and learn the part they can play in fostering sustainability.
Two full-time jobs have been created, and two more members of staff will be recruited this year.
For further details or media opportunities please contact Emma Hill - emma@britishbirdofpreycentre.co.uk, 07833 921421
Case studies
More case studies are listed on the Social Business Wales website.