Two entrepreneurs from Somerset are set to join the 2014/15 cohort of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, a fully-funded year-long programme supporting social entrepreneurs, run in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs with support from the BIG Lottery Fund.
The programme provides financial support of £4,000 for those enrolling in a ‘Start Up’ programme and £15,000 for established social enterprises embarking on a ‘Scale Up ‘programme. In addition to the comprehensive learning support and grant, participants on both programmes receive a business mentor from the bank.
The entrepreneurs from Somerset joining the programme this year are:
Andy Robinson, Martock – You First Support Services CIC (YFSS) is a social enterprise with the social mission of empowering the lives of people with learning disabilities in Somerset.
Nigel Bell, Hinton St George – Purple Initiative: Develop a network of Social and Health care professionals with experience of or an interest of working with the Armed Forces and Veteran community including families, who experience many difficulties due to service life and transition back to civilian life. They will provide sessional experienced and timely support placed locally through a national network. This will then develop into specialist training, seminars and forums. In addition the project will aim to be a central focal point bringing together the many smaller charities and organisations on one directory.
The entrepreneur from Somersetgraduating from the programme this year is:
William Taylor, Langport – Wild Country TV is an internet based radio and TV service aimed at people who live in remote socially excluded rural areas of the UK, creating more collective and collaborative broadcasting using the media of conversation and storytelling.
Graham Lindsay, Director, Responsible Business and Community Affairs at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We wish every success to our new cohort of students and recent graduates from the School for Social Entrepreneurs. We believe that through social entrepreneurship there is true potential to use talent and business innovation to tackle real social issues. Our commitment to the Social Entrepreneurs programme remains at the core of our company’s commitment to help Britain prosper. I personally look forward to seeing how this year’s students progress and look forward to seeing our graduates’ enterprises flourish.”
Alastair Wilson, CEO of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, said: “I am delighted to see the continuing success of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs programme. Social Entrepreneurs are a unique group of people who use innovative approaches to tackle the most pressing issues in society and the package of support provided by this programme gives them a helping hand for the best chance of success in their mission to change the world.”
To find out more about the programme, visit: www.yourideastartshere.co.uk