28th November 2003
£0.75 MILLION FUNDING AGREED FOR BARNSLEY’S SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Barnsley Development Agency’s Community Enterprise Regeneration Team (CERT) has secured additional funding from Yorkshire Forward’s Single Pot programme for Business Support to Social Enterprises.

The money forms part of an overall programme worth £6 million across Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. Approximately £2 million will be spent in Barnsley over the next three years helping new social enterprises to grow and become sustainable. The money will help to provide a package of small grants and dedicated business support to the social enterprises.

Social Enterprises are businesses that seek to make a profit that is invested in social aims and local economies. In Barnsley some of the most successful examples are found in childcare provision and in construction industry training. The latest project is the opening of Goldthorpe Roundabout Childcare; the second childcare centre to be launched by Barnsley Dearne Community Partnership. The centre was officially opened by MEP Linda McAvan last month, and offers affordable, flexible and high quality childcare Centre for children aged from 3 months to 3 years.
CERT’s manager, Kevin Jebson said, “This is excellent news for Barnsley and the development of Barnsley’s social economy. We have worked hard to secure this money which will help social enterprises throughout Barnsley achieve their maximum potential. Yorkshire Forward recognised the importance of high quality business support to the growth of social enterprises in our communities and what lasting and beneficial effects they can have on creating new jobs and wealth. This was the final piece in a complex funding package that involves Objective 1 and Single Regeneration Budget money. Barnsley already has one of the most vibrant social economy sectors in the UK and this can only make it better still.”

CERT will work closely with its partners and local communities to ensure that the £750,000 of additional funding makes a significant impact on the Barnsley economy, improves people’s quality of life and the quality of jobs available.

Anyone interested in starting a social enterprise or finding out more information should contact the CERT team on 01226 784444.

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www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk

Press Contact: Sarah Hopwood
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Barnsley Development Agency
Telephone: 01226 640 086
Facsimile: 01226 286 606
Email: shopwood@barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk



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