Smart Community & Social Enterprise
Smart steps forward to develop your ideas!
From the first ideas through to supporting the ongoing development of an existing community or social enterprise, we can help. The Smart Communities team are here to help you through the planning, governance and development of your community or social enterprise whether you are an individual, community group, community building, community shop or pub, or trading arm (Sole traders). Existing or aspiring Community and Social Enterprises will benefit from joining Somerset Social Enterprise Network – look at all things Social Enterprise!
Community Shops
The South West has a significant number of community run village shops, a result of when the community has faced a shop threatened with closure or when they are aware there is need for this provision. At a basic level, these shops provide a way to buy groceries or use post office services. But these community run businesses do so much more than that: they provide a place to meet, to make friends, volunteer, get information and help, and help a community to thrive. The Smart Communities team can support you through the process from initial idea, to involving your community, planning and finance through to set up, and point you to other useful sources of advice and support along the way.
Community Pubs
Community Pubs have a similar role to play as shops in both rural and urban communities and there are some amazing examples in the south west and across the country. If this is something you are considering for your community then please get in touch.
