Why are Social Value and cross-sector collaboration such powerful drivers of inclusive growth? Our latest blog shares practical ideas from Collaboration Catalyst, plus short videos from the people in the room. Read + watch: bssec.org.uk/social-value...

Why Social Value & Collaboration Matter | BSSEC

Discover why social value and cross-sector collaboration are driving inclusive growth across the West Midlands. Watch highlights and interviews from BSSEC's Collaboration Catalyst event.

bssec.org.uk

Global Majority business leaders in Birmingham are invited to help shape a new leadership development programme from Legacy Centre of Excellence and Aston CREME. Share your experiences and register interest: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon... #SocialEconomy #Leadership

Creative UK West Midlands’ Create Growth programme is open for applications. Support for creative businesses looking to grow, develop investment readiness and access mentoring. 📅 Apply by 6 July 👉 regionalsupport.wearecreative.uk/west-midlands #CreativeIndustries #WestMidlands

West Midlands Create Growth

West Midlands Create Growth is a six-month programme of fully-funded support for ambitious businesses across the region.

regionalsupport.wearecreative.uk

📬 Social Economy NEWS has landed in inboxes today. This month’s edition includes funding opportunities, business support, sector news and updates from across the West Midlands social economy. Not on the mailing list? Sign up to receive future editions: 👉 bssec.org.uk/newsletter/ #SocialEconomy

Our latest Social Economy Forum brought together perspectives from across creativity, technology, research and community engagement. The session report is now available for anyone who couldn't join us or would like to revisit the discussion. 📖 bssec.org.uk/forum-interd... #SocialEconomy #WestMids

Interdisciplinary Approaches for Social Economy Growth | BSSEC

Discover how creativity, technology and community collaboration can support innovation and growth across the social economy.

bssec.org.uk

Thinking about starting a social enterprise? Social Enterprise UK’s free start-up guide covers the essentials and answers many of the questions new social entrepreneurs often have. 👉 www.socialenterprise.org.uk/get-involved... #SocialEnterprise #SocialEconomy

Start your social enterprise - top tips and resources

Discover some top tips on starting your own social enterprise and access our free online course taking you through all the main things you need to know

socialenterprise.org.uk

Our latest Social Economy NEWS has landed in inboxes today. This edition includes Forum reflections, leadership opportunities and events from across the West Midlands social economy. Want to receive future editions? Sign up here: bssec.org.uk/newsletter/ #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS, BSSEC’s newsletter sharing updates, opportunities and insights from across the social economy in the West Midlands.

bssec.org.uk

What should we be thinking about as a sector right now? From social value and procurement to finance, leadership and place-based growth, this new blog from Sarah Beaumont explores key issues shaping the social enterprise sector. 👉 bssec.org.uk/key-issues-s... #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Key Trends in the UK Social Enterprise Sector

Explore the key issues shaping the UK social enterprise sector in 2026, including social value, funding, procurement, impact measurement, workforce challenges and place-based growth.

bssec.org.uk

Sometimes the best ideas come from outside your usual world. Join our next Social Economy Forum exploring how fresh thinking and collaboration can help organisations grow. 📅 21 May ⏰ 11:00–13:00 📍 Walsall Football Club 👉 To attend, email Jakira: jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk #SocEnt #WestMidlands

Our latest Social Economy NEWS is out, sharing insights and opportunities from across the social economy. Sign up to stay connected: bssec.org.uk/newsletter/

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS, BSSEC’s newsletter sharing updates, opportunities and insights from across the social economy in the West Midlands.

bssec.org.uk

How are organisations building income while staying true to their purpose? Our latest Social Economy Forum explored different approaches to trading for impact, with insights from Dinesh Patel, Cheryl Jones and Matthew Inniss. Read the summary: bssec.org.uk/wp-content/u...

What makes social economy accelerators effective? Our latest roundtable highlights the need for tailored support, stronger relationships and better routes to market. Read the summary: bssec.org.uk/wp-content/u...

A warm welcome to Emily Darko, who has joined the BSSEC Director team. Emily brings extensive experience in research, policy and social enterprise development, working across the UK and internationally.

Our latest Social Economy NEWS is out, sharing updates and opportunities from across the social economy. If you’d like to stay connected and keep up with what’s happening across the West Midlands, you can sign up here: bssec.org.uk/newsletter/

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS, BSSEC’s newsletter sharing updates, opportunities and insights from across the social economy in the West Midlands.

bssec.org.uk

Thanks to everyone who joined our latest Social Economy Forum. A really useful session exploring how organisations are building income and navigating trading, with insights from Dinesh Patel, Cheryl Jones and Matthew Inniss. Write-up coming soon.

From arts and culture to community spaces, how can creative organisations build sustainable income? Join us on 25 March to hear from Cheryl Jones at our Social Economy Forum. 📍 Provision House, Dudley ⏰ 11:00–12:30 Email jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk to join.

Speaker spotlight: Dinesh Patel Join us on 25 March to hear from Dinesh on building income through employability, social enterprise and inclusive recruitment. 📍 Provision House, Dudley ⏰ 11:00–12:30 Email: jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk to join. #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Join us on 25 March for our Social Economy Forum. We’ll be exploring how social enterprises, charities and community groups can build and scale income streams, with honest insights from organisations doing it in practice. 📍 Provision House ⏰ 11:00–12:30 Email jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk to join

Our latest Social Economy NEWS has gone out! This edition celebrates women leading social enterprises across the West Midlands and shares funding, learning and event opportunities for organisations working for community benefit. Sign up for future updates: bssec.org.uk/newsletter/ #SocialEconomy

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS

Sign up to Social Economy NEWS, BSSEC’s newsletter sharing updates, opportunities and insights from across the social economy in the West Midlands.

bssec.org.uk

Women are playing a vital role in shaping the social economy across the West Midlands. For #InternationalWomensDay we’re highlighting three inspiring leaders making a difference through social enterprise. Read the blog: bssec.org.uk/women-leadin... #SocialEconomy #IWD2026

Women Leading Social Enterprises in the West Midlands

Celebrating female social entrepreneurs across the West Midlands this International Women’s Day. Meet inspiring leaders building community, opportunity and impact through social enterprise.

bssec.org.uk

Our January Social Economy Forum explored how we can better support women-led social enterprises. Thanks to SWEDA and our inspiring speakers. Read the session summary: bssec.org.uk/wp-content/u... Next Forum: 25 March in Dudley, focusing on trading for impact. #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Our latest BSSEC newsletter is out 📩 New blog, new insights and ways to get involved across the social economy. Subscribe via our website: bssec.org.uk/contact/ or drop us a DM. #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Jakira’s latest Cluster Spotlight visits CWCDA in Coventry & Warwickshire, meeting Mandy and Tim, and exploring how co-operative support, partnerships and the Bike Project are growing the social economy from the ground up 🚲 Read more: bssec.org.uk/growing-the-... #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

From refurbished bikes to rebuilt communities: Social economy in Coventry and Warwickshire

A visit to CWCDA shows how social economy clusters are driving community impact in Coventry and Warwickshire, from co-operative development to the Bike Project tackling travel poverty.

bssec.org.uk

New BSSEC newsletter out now. Growth, place-based renewal and opportunities across the West Midlands social economy. DM us to subscribe. #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Great digital-focused sessions coming up at the West Midlands Business Festival tomorrow, including events from iSE and SWEDA. Explore the full programme and book your place 👉 booking.wmbf.co.uk #WMBusinessFestival #SocialEconomy #DigitalSkills

New blog on the BSSEC website 👇 Tom Bostock (Big Issue Invest) shares practical insight on how social investment is supporting growth and resilience in the West Midlands social economy. Read here: bssec.org.uk/unlocking-gr... #SocialInvestment #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands

Unlocking Growth Through Social Investment in the West Midlands

Social investment is helping West Midlands social enterprises grow, build resilience and increase impact. Tom Bostock from Big Issue Invest shares practical insight and advice.

bssec.org.uk

West Midlands Business Festival is now underway 🎉 Events across the region covering skills, finance, innovation, leadership and more. See what’s coming up 👉 booking.wmbf.co.uk #WestMidlandsBusinessFestival #BusinessSupport #SocialEconomy

Aston University’s Social Economy Growth Programme supports organisations under 2 years old with incomes of £10k–£100k, and includes peer learning, mentoring and a £1,000 grant. 🔗 Apply here: www.aston.ac.uk/business/ace... #SocialEconomy #VCSE #WestMidlands

Thanks to everyone who joined our Social Economy Forum yesterday. Great to hear from our speakers sharing their journeys as women leading social enterprises. Huge thanks to Dr Monaa Khurana, Ebony Rebecca, Fiona Allan and Claire Cooksey, and to SWEDA for hosting. Summary coming soon.

Our first BSSEC newsletter of 2026 is out 📬 A gentle start to the year with updates, insight and what’s coming up for the West Midlands social economy. Not on the list yet? Now’s a good time to join: bssec.org.uk/contact/ #SocialEconomy #VCSE #WestMidlands