Social enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives. Surpluses are re-invested in the business and used for the benefit of the community/stakeholders rather than paid out as dividends to shareholders. They can be co-operatives, community groups, employee-owned businesses or private companies limited by guarantee. They seek high levels of accountability to their stakeholders.

The Cheshire and Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership is managed by Cheshire County Council. Its responsibilities include:

• Offering business support to local enterprises including training and access to finance;
• Supporting the development of new social enterprises;
• Developing the support infrastructure and resources available to all social enterprises.

For further information contact:

Helen Blank
Social Enterprise Officer
Cheshire County Council
17 Cuppin Street
Chester
CH1 2BN

Tel: 01244 603071

Email: socialenterprise@cheshire.gov.uk

Or visit: http://www.cwsocialenterprise.org.uk/

Links:
Social Enterprise Coalition - http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/
Office of the Third Sector (formerly DTI's Social Enterprise Unit) - http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/
CAN - http://www.can-online.org.uk/