Social Enterprise Barnsley (SEB) is helping to develop and grow the social economy in Barnsley. The social economy is a sector of business activities which focuses on people, jobs and opportunities and creating profit to be used for community benefit. Our vision is of communities and neighbourhoods that are vibrant, confident and have jobs and wealth.

We provide business support to social enterprises. If you are thinking of starting a social enterprise or want to develop your community/ voluntary group into a social enterprise, then we are here to help. (Click here for ‘What is a social enterprise?’) Our quality assured team of advisers can help you with business planning, funding, marketing and promotion, personnel, information technology and all your other business needs. However, if we can’t help you directly ourselves, then we know who can!

Barnsley Development Agency’s SEB Team is funded via two funding schemes Business Link South Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward, and works throughout Barnsley to provide help and advice free of charge to social enterprises. SEB also provides investment funds to the social economy which has established a service that has played an integral part in the launch of 51 social enterprises in Barnsley in sectors such as childcare, recycling, construction, credit unions, sports associations, heritage groups and computer training providers.

In addition, SEB coordinates the Barnsley Transitional Labour Market (TLM) Programme, which addresses worklessness in Barnsley by assisting the long-term unemployed and those with additional barriers, such as incapacity benefit claimants, lone parents, disabled people and ex-offenders, into employment.

The TLM programme enables individuals to gain employment alongside valuable experience and qualifications utilising a wage subsidy. The programme is aligned to sector growth areas providing the best opportunity for people to move into permanent employment.

An innovative element of the TLM programme is Barnsley Options, which consists of a team of Individual Opportunity Advisors (IOA’s) who support Barnsley people. The IOA’s will listen to individual needs and ideas, offer professional information and advice and help them into employment, training or education.