Social Enterprise qualification course available in Newry

A free training course to help people set up a social enterprise is to begin in Newry and will run over the next five weeks.

The Housing Executive and Supporting Communities are running the course to help local people interested in starting their own business take the first step.

Participants on the half day course will gain an OCN Understanding Social Enterprise Level 2 qualification.

In 2015, the Housing Executive launched a new Social Housing Enterprise Award scheme, investing £360,000, to develop economically vibrant and self-sustaining communities through the creation and development of social housing enterprises.

As a result of the scheme so far 13 new social enterprises and 22 new jobs have been created, 20 individuals gained qualifications, 13 existing social enterprises have been supported, and 10 premises have been refurbished.

A diverse range of projects benefited from the first round of the scheme, from an alterations business in Sandy Row, a micro-homes idea for young professionals, a digital studio in Derry-Londonderry, to an upcycling shop in Fermanagh.

Connor Smith from our Social Enterprise Team said:

“We are keen for individuals or groups from our communities to sign up for this course. It’s designed to inform participants what a social enterprise is, what is needed to set one up and how social enterprises can help those involved and their communities.”

The course will run on Monday, January 25th, February 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd 2017 at the SPACE NI (Supporting People and Communities Everyday), 24 Monaghan Street, Newry, BT35 6AA.

To register for the course contact Stephen Marks on 028 2564 5676 or email stephen@supportingcommunities.org.