As part of Bury VCFA’s ongoing work to support the development of the Social Economy across the borough, in January, March and May we ran three successful networking and learning events in Prestwich, Radcliffe and Whitefield.
The aim of these events is to facilitate networking, encourage peer support and collaborative working, and provide learning opportunities for local social enterprises and trading charities across Bury.
Bury Social Economy Network event – Prestwich
In January, 12 social entrepreneurs from across the borough joined for a Bury Social Economy Network event at PADOS Theatre in Prestwich. Attendees joined from a range of social enterprises and trading charities, including organisations delivering community arts projects, support for families, sports projects and wellbeing sessions for adults going through recovery. Attendees got involved in a workshop facilitated by our Capacity Building Development Officer, Owen.
Attendee feedback:
“Felt like being back at college…I love environments like that”
“lovely venue, great people”
“Nice to hear from others who are at different stages in their journey”
All attendees rated the event ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.
All attendees said in feedback they were ‘extremely likely’ to recommend the event to a friend or colleague.
Bury Social Economy Network event – Radcliffe
In its tour of the borough, in March the Bury Social Economy Network roadshow travelled over to Radcliffe with an event at Radcliffe Football Club. 10 attendees gathered for this event, from social enterprises and trading charities working in holistic therapies, community art and music, speech and language therapy and SEND support for children and young people.
For this event, Owen opened with an overview of the work Bury VCFA have been doing since May 2024 to support local social enterprises, trading charities and the wider Social Economy in Bury.
This was followed by a workshop delivered by local social impact consultant, Karen Smith from Turn Up The Value. Through her work, Karen supports local VCSE organisations to develop and demonstrate their social value using the Social Accounting framework.
Attendee feedback:
“All useful – stakeholder mapping exercise helpful to think through current situation and to think flexibly. Presentation from Karen on social accounting was helpful”
“loved the mapping and good insight about the sector”
All attendees rated the event ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.
Feedback from attendees indicated a 32% increase in understanding of knowledge of stakeholder mapping.
Bury Social Economy Network event – Whitefield
On May 8th, local social enterprise leaders met at Whitefield Bowling Club CIC to network and share experiences of setting up their venture. Capacity Building Officer Owen facilitated an exploratory discussion looking at good governance practice for social enterprise.
Attendee feedback:
“New ideas came to mind”
“Really warm and welcoming as a newbie!”
“I look forward to these events”
Find out more and book on the Upcoming Bury Social Economy Network events:
