VCSE Spotlights

Here you can find case studies of organisations who have participated in, and been helped by, the Enterprise Development Programme. We're keen to spotlight those organisations, in terms of their trading and enterprise models, the journey of developing this income, and the consequent impact on their mission. We are aiming for these to be a useful resource for organisations who haven’t had access to the Enterprise Development Programme, to help them on their own enterprise journeys.

But if there’s additional information you’d like to find out, do get in touch – we may be able to answer that within the Association or connect you with the spotlighted organisation.

Youth Arts and Health Trust

  The journey so far Youth Arts and Health Trust (YAHT) had sold their services on a small and local scale when starting on the Enterprise Development Programme, but felt they had potential to increase their sales significantly with the right support and focused attention. Through a collaborative diagnostic proess, the priority areas for development…

Sydenham Garden

The journey so far Sydenham Garden approached the Enterprise Development Programme in the early stages of trading. It was growing flowers on an ad-hoc and small scale, with one regular wholesale customer – a local florist. However, the organisation already had a substantial and growing following on social media and some relationships with potential additional…

Family Compass

Family Compass are a charity based in Devon supporting people across the Southwest of England. The core of their work is a wide range of therapeutic support for children of all ages and their families, aiming to improve their mental health before they reach crisis point. Services offered consist of counselling, dramatherapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy…

Coping with Cancer North East

The journey so far In a first phase of support on the Enterprise Development Programme the organisation received some additional capacity to free up the Chief Executive to undertake some market research in terms of selling services to private sector organisations. This phase resulted in some really useful insight for future plans. But the overall…

Sheffield Flourish

Sheffield Flourish is a charity that works collaboratively on innovative digital and community projects, recognising the untapped strengths of people who’ve experienced mental health challenges. Within Sheffield they support a number of community social enterprises, and Oasis Gardening is one of them. The journey so far At the time of starting the programme, Oasis were…

Minds Ahead

Minds Ahead is a social enterprise aiming to change pupils’ mental health for the better by providing the specialist qualifications to school leaders, teachers, and staff. There is a well-documented mental health crisis in schools, and Minds Ahead feel the most effective way to support is to have a properly qualified member of staff within…