What is a social enterprise? – A social enterprise is a business which has social aims. The social aims centre on the employment of people, offering training to people and the delivery of services.  The business can trade, employ people, pay salaries, but any profit made must go back into the furtherance of those social aims.

 

How do I contact The Box? – Contact can be made by telephoning the co-ordinator, Mike Brockbank on 01229 813355, or 07810 872526, or by emailing him through this web site.

 

What happens when we make contact? – Mike will make an appointment to come and see you, discuss your ideas with you and complete a couple of forms.  He'll then refer you to a business adviser, who will provide all the support necessary.

 

Does our group need to be constituted? – Not on contact.  The Box will give you all the support and advice that you'll need to turn the group into a social enterprise and eventually apply for grant funding.

 

What happens when we are seen by a business adviser? – They'll assess your organisation to see what has to be done to get you to grant application stage.  This could include assistance with business and financial planning, establishing what training courses, if necessary, are needed; assisting with the completion of registration forms to become a business and assisting with the completion of grant application forms.

 

What sort of training is there on offer? – The Box will provide bespoke training to groups and/or individuals in subjects that will assist in becoming a social enterprise.  the training and trainers will be sourced by The Box.

 

How long have we got to get to grant application stage? – As long as it takes.  The Box accepts that it'll take some longer than others to reach grant application stage.  The Box isn't about getting as many groups as possible to become social enterprises, it is about groups becoming sustainable through a social enterprise route.

 

If we apply for a grant, how long do we have to wait before we know? – If it's under £5,000 – two weeks; £5,000 to £20,000 – 4 weeks; £20,000 and above – 6 weeks.

 

Will there be conditions attached to the grant? – Like all grant funding there'll be conditions.  This is to safeguard the money that's been invested, to ensure it's spent on what it's supposed to be spent on and also safeguards the applicants.

 

What will grants pay for? – Grants will pay for feasibility study funding, that is to do some research; new start social enterprises and existing social enterprises.  The grants will pay capital and revenue, up to 100%, but will not pay for salaries on existing social enterprises looking to expand.

 

How will the grants be paid? - Grants will be paid retrospectively either by cheque or BACS into your nominated bank account.   For capital items, we require either a receipted invoice from your supplier, or a pro-forma invoice, followed by a receipted invoice.  If we are making a contribution towards salary costs, then we require a P45 (or equivalent) together with a copy of the contract of employment.

 

Some grant funders monitor the funded project.  Does The Box monitor? - Yes, because we are investing public money, we have to be absolutely certain that the money is spent in the way that the applicants  said that they would.  Independent monitoring officers will visit applicants' premises at pre-determined intervals, to ensure compliance with grant conditions.