Big Issue Invest

Big Issue Invest assists the growth of sustainable social enterprises by providing finance to organisations that create a positive social impact.

Thrive Together Fund

The Thrive Together Fund (TTF) provides a funding package of loan (75%) and grant (25%) to eligible charities and social enterprises in England

Flexible Finance Fund

4m of funding and support to 15-25 Black and Racially Minoritised charities and social enterprises in England with a material package of funding and support

Big Society Capital

Big Society Capital connects capital with social enterprises, charities and social purpose organisations.

CDFI - Community Development Finance Institutions

CDFIs are a type of social enterprise that provides support and lends money to businesses and people who struggle to get finance from high street banks.

Setting up a CIC

Information and guidance on how to set up a Community Interest Company.

Useful Resources and Contacts

Deutsche Bank – Made For Good​

The Deutsche Bank enterprise programme for social good,

VCSE Strength Checker

File Your CIC Accounts Online

Understand how to file your CIC accounts online.

Community Ownership Fund

Provides matched funding for community organisations to help run community-owned businesses.

The Commonwealth Games Inclusive Communities Fund

The Inclusive Communities Fund will support local communities to propose and implement solutions to real issues in their areas, allowing local people to drive positive change.  

Registering a CIC - Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions providing information on registering a Community Interest Company.

Resonance Social Impact Investment Funds

Investment opportunities for the community/voluntary sector.

Co Operatives UK

Support for co‑ops to start up and thrive through access to expert advice, events and training.

Persons with Significant Control and the PSC Register

Legislation and guidance on Persons with Significant Control.

Ordering Certified Copies & Certificates via Companies House

Information on how to request certified copies & certificates via companies house.

TV Licensing for Clubs and Community Groups

Information and regulations for clubs and community groups around TV licensing.

CIC Regulator

The regulator for Community Interest Companies.

UnLtd - Support for Social Entrepreneurs

Support available to social enterprises including online resources, mentoring, network events and more.

Entrepreneurial Spark

Help for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to find new ways to develop their business, local economies and communities.

UnLtd - Starting your social business

Funding and support on offer to social entrepreneurs looking to start a social enterprise.

UnLtd - Growing your social business

Funding and support on offer to social entrepreneurs looking to grow their social enterprise.

Social Enterprise UK

Information resources, advice, and membership organisation for people starting and running a social enterprise in the UK.

Go4Growth Programme

Support to access public sector procurement/tender opportunities

NESTA

NESTA is an innovation charity with a mission to help people and organisations bring great ideas to life.

Shaw Trust

Support for disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work or start a business.

RICS - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Information on the professional body that accredits professionals within the land, property and construction sectors.

Growth Impact Fund

Social investment funding for organisations with growth, improved equality and diversity goals.

Building Research Establishment - (BRE)

BRE is an innovative group of researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians whose shared goal is to make the built environment better for all.

BT Skills For Tomorrow

Support from BT to assist businesses in enhancing their digital skills

Google Digital Garage

Google Digital Garage offers training and events on improving your business digitally in various locations across the UK.

Co-operative & Community Finance

BITC - Business in the Community

BITC work with their members to continually improve responsible business practices.

Facebook for business

Are you looking to create more of an impact with your business on Facebook?

Future Learn

Brush up on your digital basics with free courses from Future Learn

UK Business Climate Hub

The UK Business Climate Hub is an opportunity to join thousands of other businesses tackling climate change.

Carbon Trust

Carbon Trust supports businesses, governments and organisations around the world in planning for a sustainable, low carbon future.

QR Codes (Quick Response)

Information about Quick Response (QR) Codes.

TV Licensing for TV dealers

Information regarding TV licensing exemptions for TV dealers.

Employment Status for Tax tool

Are you looking for support with your or someone's employment status?

Barclays Green Trade Loans

Debt finance from Barclays for sustainable purposes.

Startups.co.uk

Online resource for people starting and growing a business.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers online video courses delivered by experts in many business topics

British Retail Consortium

British Retail Consortium is the Trade Association for retailers in the UK.

Cell and Gene Therapy

Catapult Centre can help whether you're at the very start of your research, looking to manufacture therapies, or need regulatory support.

Export Control Joint Unit (incl. SPIRE)

Part of the Department for Business and Trade, the ECJU are responsible for the control of the exporting of 'strategic' goods which require a licence.

National Careers Service - Skills Toolkit

The National Careers Service has created a finder tool to help you source free skills training.

ISO Accreditation

ISO is an independent, non-governmental membership organization They help companies to access new markets, level the playing field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade.

VOA - Valuation Office Agency

Information about council tax, business rates, housing allowance and more.

ISBN - International Standard Book Number

If you wish to sell your publication through major bookselling chains, or internet booksellers, you will be legally required to have an ISBN

HMRC Employers Helpline

HMRC's helpline providing information and guidance on a range of topics.

Selling online and paying taxes

Information on selling online and if you need to register to as trading and pay tax.

Government Property Finder

The Government Property Finder advertises vacant and surplus space - buildings and land for use by businesses, developers, community groups and the general public.

Pre-trading Expenditure Relief

Information on what HMRC allow new businesses to claim expenditure relief on.

Pay As You Earn for Employers (PAYE)

Your responsibilities as an employer in relation to PAYE.

Free Legal Support for Social Enterprises

Guidance on what a dormant company is and what it must do.

Changes to Company Law - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act

Legislation with a range of measures to reduce fraud in companies and partnerships registered at Companies House

Procurement, tenders and winning contracts in Cumberland

Organisations that provide support and guidance to help win contracts through procurement and tender opportunities.

Online Centres Network - Digital advice centres

Online Centres Network is overseen by the Good things Foundation which is the UK’s leading digital inclusion organisation.

Open To Export

Open to Export is a not for profit social enterprise dedicated to helping UK companies grow through export.

Pluss

Pluss are recognised as one of the leading national disability employment specialists in the UK.

Amazon Small Business Accelerator

The upgraded Accelerator is now available on Amazon and offers a suite of free-to-use resources for all startups, entrepreneurs and small or medium-sized businesses.

Connected Places

Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places.

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief for Corporation Tax

Information and guidance on claiming tax relief for research and development costs.

Youth Employment UK

Youth Employment UK is an independent, not for profit social enterprise founded in 2012 to tackle youth unemployment.

eCommerce Directive and selling online to customers in the EU

10,000 Small Businesses Programme - Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs Small Business Programme helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunities by providing access to education and business support.

CICM - Chartered Institute of Credit Management

The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) is the largest recognised professional body in the world for the credit management community.

HSE - Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive provides a range of information, resources and webinars for businesses.

Good Things Foundation

Good Things Foundation is a charity that helps to tackle digital and social exclusion by providing people with the skills and confidence they need to access digital technology.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UK Research and Innovation collaborate with other research centres to build an inclusive research and innovation system.

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust offers impartial advice for business, communities and households on how to reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel bills and much more.

Non-Executive Directors (NED)

Information on Non-Executive Directors and what Non-Executive Directors can bring to your business.

Webinars and guidance - selling to government and the public sector

Resources for businesses looking to tender for public sector or government contracts.

Community Shares Unit

Community Shares Unit provides resources and guidance via the website including a directory of businesses with Community Shares and listings for news and events.