On Friday 1st February 2013, the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) – the leading provider of training for social entrepreneurs - opened its doors to applications for this year's Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs Programme.
Recruits with entrepreneurial flair from communities across the country who are interested in starting or scaling a social enterprise can apply online for one of the 300 places.
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive learning at their local SSE school1, as well as a financial contribution starting at £4,000 upwards to £25,000 to fund their organisation. To further increase the success of their enterprise, the students will also receive a senior mentor from Lloyds Banking Group during their time on the one year course.
This support for the country's thriving social enterprise scene has been made possible with funding from Lloyds Banking Group, with additional funding of £6m from the Big Lottery Fund. This 100% increase on investment further increases the ambition of the Programme to recruit and support participants who have the potential to create well over £20m2 in social value. The funding boost has also enabled the number of delivery locations to almost double from 7 to 13.
Steve Brine said: "I was fortunate to hand out the awards at last year's graduation ceremony, held at the University of Winchester, so totally get the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Hampshire. I hope this year's students will match and even beat those who have gone before and nurture the talent of a new group of social entrepreneurs in communities throughout the region."
Alastair Wilson, CEO at the SSE, says: "For the last 15 years the SSE has nurtured some of the most credible and confident social entrepreneurs in the UK. This year we aim to do the same with our intake of students by empowering them with the appropriate tools to thrive in today's challenging climate, via our unique action learning programme"
Trisha Lee, current student on the Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs Programme says "My enterprise Make Believe Arts is focussed on reducing the number of children around the country that have difficulty with maths. The Programme is helping me to identify the gaps in my organisation and has shown me how to increase its impact."
Paul Turner, Community & Sustainable Business Director at Lloyds Banking Group says: "This is a chance for us as a Group to support social enterprise throughout the country at its most local level, not solely via financial boost but by connecting students with a carefully curated team of mentors which includes some of our most experienced leaders and freshest thinkers in the business."
The Programme is designed to empower individuals to develop lasting solutions to social issues and disadvantage in their communities, by providing the skills and finance they need to bring their ideas to life.
More information...
Applicants can find out more information about the Programme or apply by visiting www.the-sse.org/lloyds.