Anyone set up a social enterprise from scratch?

[lifesabitchandthenyoudie]

Posting in Chat for traffic... I've had an experience in my local town that has made me wonder if I could set up a SE to get people the help they need. I have plenty of experience in admin and business, but none in this sector. Anyone have any advice to help me get going? I've started some research, (gov.uk, other SEs, etc) but I thought I'd tap into the MN hive-mind too.

Oh and I have 0 money! Would have to go cap-in-hand to get started, before funding etc becomes available. Is this feasible?

Thanks!

...or, would this be better in a different forum?

Do you mean like Citizen's advice? Christian’s Against Poverty? all sorts of services already signpost people to the correct service.

But is it something specialist as opposed to general advice you are looking to give.

I helped set up a branch of a charity though quite a few years ago, it is a huge amount of work if done correctly plus legislation will have changed in this last decade. We had a core committee of 8 of us. We were lucky to have a retired accountant and journalist plus a woman who had worked for Citizen's advice and I had been involved with writing grant applications though a different sector and one who had worked in procurement who was adept at asking for things. We also had meetings rotate between our houses so no cost to hire a room before we got funding.

What was the experience if you do not mind sharing ?

Not personally but I know someone who did. They did have someone to back them financially though, and got grants and things. It thrived.

@AuntieBadge apologies, I worded it very badly! It's actually about providing housing, to people that need it. There's quite a few organisations doing this sort of thing but I don't know how they got going. I will be contacting them and some local councilors, etc, but thought I'd see if poeple on here might have first-hand experience.

@kittenseverywhere did they get one backer in particular? Would love to find one of those! i'll maybe send out some begging letters, after I've sorted out some business plan details, etc.

Thank you for your input!

They were associated with a local church and the church was willing to support it to get underway under their umbrella. They are self-supporting now with grants, I believe, but the help to get a building and volunteers to get started would have helped a lot.

@kittenseverywhere You've given me an idea, thank you! A busy weekend ahead...

Good luck with it all. If you don't have training in the area you should talk to those who do (for example, a social worker). You need to be aware of the pitfalls too.

Watching with interest.

I have worked for charities for 25 years and I am getting so disillusioned with the sector.

So many of them are run poorly, treat staff and volunteers appallingly and seemingly only to fundraise money to pay for vanity projects and management salaries rather than truly help their beneficiaries.

Would love to be able to start something small that would actually make a real difference to local people and be accountable for every penny...

Thank you @kittenseverywhere. Am wondering whether to go public in my local area and ask for advice/assistance/input... I'm a bit worried about putting my head above the parapet, and yes I need to stay safe!

@Startingagainandagain there is a raft of advice and support out there! If you have an idea go for it... https://www.gov.uk/set-up-a-social-enterprise is a good start...