Other sources of support for social businesses
The following support providers specialise in delivering free support to social businesses which is funded by Welsh Government.
Cwmpas
Formerly known as the Wales Co-operative Centre, Cwmpas is Wales’ national development agency for co-operatives, mutuals, social enterprises and employee-owned businesses. It applies its co-operative values to strengthening communities and services as well as supporting these businesses.
There are other providers which also provide specialist support to social businesses in Wales.
Development Trusts Association Wales
The Development Trusts Association Wales (DTA Wales) is an independent practitioner based membership organisation promoting the work of and supporting the growing network of development trusts in Wales.
Social Firms Wales is the national support agency for social firm development. It works alongside Social Firms UK. It is committed to the creation of employment opportunities for disadvantaged people through the development and support of Social Firms in Wales.
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has been working in Wales since 1999, investing more than £16 million in community regeneration over the last 14 years. It provides financial investment and hands on capacity building support to achieve a catalytic effect. Its development officers work with and within the community to tackle the issues that most affect the prosperity, resilience and opportunities available to people living within these communities.
County Voluntary Councils (CVCs)
Many CVCs provide support to community and voluntary groups to help them become more sustainable, generate new income streams and successfully bid to deliver public services. A list of CVCs in Wales can be found at http://www.wcva.org.uk/members-partners/county-voluntary-councils.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
At a national level, the WCVA works with charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, trustees and individual volunteers.
UnLtd
UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. UnLtd resources hundreds of individuals each year through its core Awards programme.
There are many other mainstream business support organisations in Wales which can work with social businesses. Other organisations also exist which can be paid privately to support social businesses.
For a list of financial lenders that are familiar in dealing with Social Businesses visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/socialbusinesswales/lenders