York & North Yorkshire Social Impact Accelerator

We're particularly eager to support the growth of the social enterprise sector, as it offers remarkable social and economic benefits. Despite its significant impact, the sector is not well understood and supported through national and regional policy. 

Over the last year, we've developed a number of streams of activity, working collaboratively across the City and region, with social enterprise at the heart, to: raise awareness, develop skills and co-create a programme of collaborative activity with anchor institutions in support of the sector and the communities they support. 

We are keen to welcome new partners to this programme and ultimately intend for it to be a Yorkshire-wide initiative. Our key focus is driving change to ensure we create a legacy in our communities.

Enabling SE sector growth through social procurement

Enterprise Works is leading a Preston-model style project with a number of the major employers in the City of York, understanding the barriers to procurement from social enterprise and the barriers to social enterprises procuring from these organisations. 

Enabling collective action on social issues

Using the convening power of the University to bring together lived experience, support providers and major employers to understand the major social issues in the City, and drive collective action to solve them.  

• Breaking Barriers: Empowering Inclusive Employability event - 9th July

Supporting skills development and the next generation of social enterprise leaders

We hosted an investment event and asked around 40 local social enterprises about their development needs and the potential impact of meeting those needs on their business. We're now acting to meet those needs, running Masterclasses on topics including: marketing and commercial skills with the new Mayoral Authority. 

We also see issues around business continuity and leadership within the sector in our region. The School for Business and Society at the University, are planning enterprise courses for our students with placement components to give them direct experience of working and managing within the social enterprise sector. 

Get involved

If you're interested in being involved in the programme please get in touch with us.