Enterprise Development Programme
The EDP is led by a partnership of national infrastructure bodies seeking to support the development of enterprise models in charities and social enterprises working certain thematic sectors. It has been developed and is funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment. Social Investment Business provide a management role for the overall programme.
The EDP provides a broad range of support, helping organisations to establish new enterprise models, or grow existing ones. It offers a combination of cohort based peer learning opportunities, training, direct advice and support, as well as grants to research or test out new ideas, to launch new enterprises or grow existing ones.
Access has selected the Association of Mental Health Providers and Equally Ours to join the EDP partnership, expanding the programme to the mental health and equality sectors. These two sectors were chosen because of the potential for enterprise models to develop and the strength of their national infrastructure. In the pilot year the programme targeted organisations in the Homelessness and Youth sectors, and these sectors will continue to participate until 2021.
Reaping rewards ... but patiently
Greg Woolley
Published: July 31, 2023
On the Enterprise Development Programme participating organisations received a grant to support the development of their trading activity over 12 – 18 months. But beyond that period, we’ve been keen to retain contact, continuing our offer of other wrap-around support such as learning workshops, peer learning and check-ins with their Enterprise Development Manager. This has…
Read moreTrading and enterprise models ... cartoon style.
Greg Woolley
Published: July 21, 2023
In the final year of our sector partner role to the Enterprise Development Programme, one of the important priorities is to communicate the learning we’ve observed related to trading and enterprise within the mental health sector. Working with over 50 organisations through the Mental Health cohort has provided insight into the variety of trading activities…
Read moreInsight: trading and employment settings
Greg Woolley
Published: July 21, 2023
As detailed here, we’ve recently published research on businesses being carried out by not-for-profits where the workforce is made up in whole or in part of people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. This research involved an indepth look at six particular organisations. Our work on that research alongside the Centre for Charity…
Read moreEnterprise in the Mental Health Sector - Research Project
Greg Woolley
Published: June 7, 2022
The Association of Mental Health Providers is commissioning a research project focused on further understanding trading activities operated by charities and social enterprises in the Mental Health sector. The Association is the Mental Health sector partner to the Enterprise Development Programme for a 4-year period (2020 – 2023), and its role is predominantly to support a cohort…
Read moreCall for Peer Learning Facilitator to work with leaders of Charities and Social Enterprises
Greg Woolley
Published: January 19, 2021
The Association is looking to appoint a peer learning facilitator, on a trial basis, to support the development of some of its SME members. Context: The Enterprise Development Programme is a five-year programme, funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment and managed by a coalition of partners. It aims to help charities and…
Read moreEnterprise Development Programme – a first year for the Mental Health sector
Greg Woolley
Published: January 12, 2021
Following a first year of leading the Mental Health strand of the Enterprise Development Programme, the Association’s Enterprise Development Manager, Greg Woolley, has written up some of his findings and reflections – particularly in relation into the types of enterprise models present within the Mental Health sector. Access, the foundation for social investment, launched the…
Read moreTraining to help you achieve your 2021 enterprise goals!
Greg Woolley
Published: November 30, 2020
To begin 2021, the Association will be offering fully funded training sessions focused on supporting small charities and social enterprises to develop their enterprise or trading activities. We hope it will be valuable to support organisations achieve their enterprise goals for 2021. Following a review of our first two rounds of applications to the Enterprise…
Read moreOur New EDM's Thoughts on the EDP...
Greg Woolley
Published: January 27, 2020
With ever-increasing cuts to public funding and growing competition for grant and philanthropic funds, many organisations are desperate to find ways to diversify their income. Understandably, the potential opportunities for diversification from enterprise or trading is often treated with caution or avoided. Building on from that, the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) has been designed to…
Read moreHow to Apply
Dania Hanif
Published: January 20, 2020
The application process will ensure organisations looking to join the enterprise movement have minimal restrictions and maximum support to organisations whatever stage in their enterprise journey they may be. For those looking to apply we will only be seeking details of enterprise ideas or motivations and context of how it will benefit your organisation and…
Read moreEligibility to Join the Programme
Dania Hanif
Published: January 13, 2020
The Association has been chosen to be the national partner for the mental health sector. We can help to explain the programme, support you with applications to join it, and will have a key role in helping successful applicants to progress their ideas and grow their enterprise activity. For any initial enquiries, organisations can contact…
Read moreEnterprise Development Programme Expands to Include Mental Health Sector
Dania Hanif
Published: December 5, 2019
Following a successful pilot, the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) will reopen in the New Year, and will expand to be able to support charities and social enterprises operating in the mental health and equality sectors, in addition to those working in homelessness and youth. The EDP is led by a partnership of national infrastructure bodies…
Read moreLaunch of Enterprise Development Programme
Dania Hanif
Published: November 1, 2019
The Enterprise Development Programme is a five year programme, funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment and managed by a coalition of partners. The programme aims to provide a broad range of support for charities and social enterprises in England, helping them become more financially resilient by developing new enterprise models, or by growing existing…
Read more