Unit for Social Enterprise (USE) Knowsley - Final Report Published

KCVS, on behalf of the steering group for the Unit for Social Enterprise, Knowsley, are delighted to provide an introduction to the report which highlights how it has made progress since being formed in 2010, and some of its key achievements to date.

• A clearer understanding within the borough of what real social enterprise is all about – the community providing services in a sustainable way and not being reliant on grants
• A baseline position and clearer direction for social enterprise development in Knowsley
• The development of a common approach to social enterprise in the borough through the collaboration of partners
• The bringing together of those with a passion for social enterprise and the community to share ideas and to use their knowledge and enthusiasm for the benefit of the Knowsley community
• A targeted approach to investment in social enterprise through the management of the Working Neigbourhood Fund (WNF)

‘Partnership has been and will remain crucial to the success of the USE and development of Knowsley’s social enterprise sector. I would like to thank all partners for their commitment, energy, dedication, and of course their valuable ideas which have helped the USE to make the progress it has made to date. Based on this progress in such a short time and the people we have supporting us I am confident we can achieve so much more in the future.

Knowsley now has a firmer platform to build from for the future and our Vision is a real possibility and it will make such a huge positive contribution in many innovative ways to supporting the social growth within our communities. As we have now achieved the robust platform that we aimed for we are moving forward and will formally be establishing the USE within the Knowsley Community and Voluntary Services (KCVS) whose role will be to lead with the support of partners the development and capacity building we aim for in the social enterprise sector. Alongside the development of a Knowsley Foundation, to help to provide financial support to the sector, Knowsley will have a strong and robust basis to seize opportunity and thrive into the future where the role of social enterprise is becoming increasingly important in delivering the social growth agenda and in changing people’s lives.’

Bob Taylor (on behalf of steering group members*)
CEO – First Ark Group (formerly Knowsley Housing Trust) and LSP lead for Social Enterprise

Steering Group Members – Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Knowsley Community and Voluntary Services, Knowsley Chamber of Commerce, Knowsley Housing Trust, Liverpool John Moores University, Fusion 21 and Prescot Oasis.

The full report can be downloaded here and further information about USE Knowsley can be found here.