Training to help you achieve your 2021 enterprise goals!

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 Development Programme and feedback from the sector, we are keen to extend our support to smaller VCSEs in the mental health sector, who may be at an earlier stage in their enterprise journeys. We anticipate this training being particularly helpful for organisations who have an idea of their product or service but need support to;

• define the revenue model,
• define and test the market,
• measure and communicate the social impact of your enterprise activity
• make first sales or more sales (participants may or may not have made some initial sales).

We hope this training will provide some important clarity and tools for organisations to make and achieve their enterprise objectives for 2021. And, also if relevant prepare organisations to apply for a place on the Mental Health Enterprise Development Programme, where more intensive enterprise support is available, later in 2021.

The training will be delivered by Dot to Dot Training & Consultancy. Sessions are focused on developing the fundamentals of an effective and sustainable social enterprise or trading operation. Organisations can express interest in attending one or all sessions (however organisations interested in ‘Business Planning A-Z must be able to attend both of these sessions).

(All sessions will run from 9:30 – 1pm, and will be done via Zoom)

Business planning A-Z  (Tuesday 16th February and 23rd February)

Session One A practical training session where participants will begin to develop a business plan for establishing a social venture in the mental health sector. This session utilises the business model canvas to support ideation and the basics of early business planning.

Session Two A practical training session on how to write a detailed business plan underpinned by business canvas modelling process, working up early profit and loss projections, early stage elevator pitches and how to conduct cost effective market research.

Introduction to measuring social outcomes (Tuesday 2nd March)
A practical training session looking at social outcomes and communicating your ‘social worth’. Focus on how data informs service development, evaluation, can increase overall organisational performance and income. The session will provide an introductory to Social Impact measurement and how to communicate it with customers, supporters and funders.

How to sell your products or services (Tuesday 9th March)
A practical training session on how to sell your products and services. How to develop key messages and make use of you unique selling point. The session will include hints and tips on how to gain early adopting customers and provide an opportunity to develop an early elevator pitch.

Eligibility criteria:

To apply for a training place, organisations must meet the following criteria:
• Legally constituted charity, voluntary sector organisation, or social enterprise
• Have a mission to support individuals suffering from mental health issues or illnesses
• A minimum turnover of £10,000 in the last full financial year
• An organisation is already selling a product/service or has an intention to develop a social enterprise
• Based in England

Those meeting the above criteria and interested, should complete the following expression of interest form by 5pm on 29th January. Following this, submissions will be reviewed and assessed by the Association, and training places will be allocated via email.