As Covid-19 has decimated the UK economy and millions are losing jobs and businesses, there is a need to protect both entrepreneurship and those businesses that exist to make a positive social impact for the greater community.
It has never been more important to give something back, and what better way to start than supporting the countries next phase of social entrepreneurs.
Alex Beardsley, Joint Managing Director of ABL, has recently become a mentor as part of the Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme.
The Programme is run in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), and jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. This programme has helped more than 2,000 people to start up, build and scale social enterprises, charities, community projects and impact-led organisations.
Alex said "I'm really looking forward to taking part in the mentoring programme. As a business owner myself I have faced a lot of the experiences and problems that arise in businesses and having the ability to pass on my knowledge from these experiences is crucial.
Sharing our knowledge is one of our key objectives here at ABL. Being able to support businesses who are looking at supporting the local community or a specific segment of society is important when growing your own business. I can't wait to hear what great things these entrepreneurs are looking to achieve, and help them along their way."
ABL will be providing mentoring sessions as part of the SSE programme to businesses who have an idea and are looking for support to start up or for businesses who are already running and are looking at scaling up.
The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme was launched in 2012 and so far has been delivered in 12 locations in England and Scotland. The programme which will now run for 10 years was renewed for a further five years. By the end of 2020 the programme has supported 2,350 social entrepreneurs to start and grow social organisations across the UK.
If you are a Social Entrepreneur or know a business owner that is looking at starting up or scaling up with a social conscience, put them in touch with us either via email or get them to phone the office on 01274 965356.