“Being a featured shop on the iSE’s Pop-Up Shop campaign has been simply brilliant for us…”

FreshwindsIT is an IT solutions social enterprise that offers professional IT services to the third sector and beyond including Graphic & Web Design, Professional Print Services, IT Training, Database Development, Client Management Software, Procurement and Installation of IT equipment and much more.

The income generated from our commercial work and funding that we secure allows us to fulfil our social aims which are:

• To help individuals that are digitally excluded to gain access to, and knowledge of computers and the internet.
• To capacity build Third Sector and not-for-profit organisations by offering heavily discounted and very affordable IT services and solutions. This may extend to free support and guidance in the field of IT should our current funding allow.
• To work with initiatives, groups and consortia to help achieve a positive social impact on our local communities.
• To support our parent charity Freshwinds by donating all surplus profits so they can continue to offer care and support free of charge to adults and children living with life limiting and life threatening illnesses, as well as those from socially excluded backgrounds.

On Shop for Change

“Being a featured shop on the iSE’s Pop-Up Shop campaign has been simply brilliant for us, it has raised much awareness about the services that we offer. Our shop was only up for a few days and that alone generated several quote requests and 3 new customers, 2 of which we have already had further orders from! Thanks Pop-Up Shop!”

(Adam Carrington-Lloyd, IT Lead)

To find out more visit http://www.freshwindsit.co.uk/
For a quote on printing email ask@freshwindsit.co.uk or call 0121 415 6715

At  the conference there will be a lunchtime marketplace event and we would like to offer all Shop for Change members the opportunity to have a stand to advertise your products and services.

For a limited time Shop for Change members will get a discounted price;

• Conference Ticket: £60 (+VAT)
• Stand : £10 (+VAT)

After this time tickets will return to their original price.

To book your ticket please follow this link http://respondingtochange.eventbrite.com/

Please contact Debbie Bailey on 0121 771 1411 or debbie.bailey@i-se.co.uk  if you would like to add a stand to your booking.  Stand places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Further details regarding the event can be found in the attached programme.

Jim Everett, CEO of bike2life considered being asked to be Shop for Change’s ‘Organisation of the Month’ as the “next step in the journey for bike2life”. Speaking of the start-up and development of bike2life, Jim commented:

“We started off as a project running alongside the youthwork at Four Oaks Baptist Church in 2005, having realised that there was a lot of interest in cycling and more importantly learning the skills necessary to maintain you own bike.

“Matthew Clarke (Maff) and myself, were both keen cyclists, volunteer youth workers and had done some trail leader training to be able to take out groups and so decided to start to develop a project around cycling, initially to get together some bikes for the young people to use on rides. We were enthused by a renovation project running in Yardley and set about building up some tools and spares. Go forward a few years and we have managed to get some space in a disused chapel in Mere Green, we run a monthly maintenance session on the first Saturday of every month, we have launched a Community Interest Company to manage the bike project and we are looking at several other ways in which we can run bike related community projects. We’ve been involved in organising Bike Week “Dr Bike” maintenance sessions, the promotion of  the Connect2 cycle route in North Birmingham and organising fun challenges at community events. We’re also supported by both local Baptist churches and some of the other local community groups are also getting involved.

“Realising that we needed to create a new legal entity to manage the bike project – bike2life as it had become – we sought guidance on what legal structure we should adopt. Actually getting to the point of signing the final documents turned into a long and torturous journey; with all of us learning en route about company/charity law and the different options out there. We started to talk to iSE who gave us lots and lots of helpful and invaluable advice. We took advantage of training courses and advice sessions and eventually, in November 2011, we signed the CIC documents.

“We are still working as a voluntary based organisation. We have the programme set for 2012 and we’ll see what opportunities are presented. Our aims are around getting people to cycle more, recycle bikes more and challenge their thinking on their spirituality using cycling as a way of taking pilgrimages. Journeys can be very spiritual experiences, walking isn’t the only option – in fact cycling opens up many of the ancient pilgrim routes to a lot more people who can’t spend months travelling.

“If you’re interested in getting involved, want to join us on a bike ride or want to see your old bike put to good use check out the website and contact us. There’s usually a cup of tea available on the Saturday Shed mornings on the first Saturday of the month.”

Find out more about bike2life: 07838 890362 | www.bike2life.org.uk | jim.everett@bike2life.org.uk

Managing Director, Indi Deol (left), pictured with volunteer, Byrone Nicholson

Aidem Digital CIC is a social enterprise dedicated to developing and delivering media projects that have a social impact. With a specialist interest in social businesses, ethnic minorities and assisting in digital media skills development, the organisation is focused on implementing projects related to these entities in particular.

With a very good understanding of the language and culture of ethnic minorities in the UK, Aidem Digital has found this is a major asset to anyone looking for support to address digital media business needs within these communities or outside of them. With this focus in mind, Aidem Digital has developed a team of cross-cultured individuals both locally and globally. Digital photography, video production, on-line brand development, website design and implementation, graphic design and printing are just a few of the services that Aidem Digital can offer your company.

Commenting on the Shop for Change campaign, Indi Deol, Managing Director said: “Without the existence of campaigns like Shop for Change and organisations like iSE supporting and nurturing social businesses, vital networking and awareness opportunities that they generate would be lost and this sector would suffer hugely”.

Find out more about Aidem Digital: 07827 914593 | www.aidemdigital.org.uk | info@aidemdigital.org.uk

The Crossing is a unique Christian social enterprise based in the heart of Walsall which plays a leading role in community service and in improving the economic and the cultural lives of local people. It combines conservation of a grade 2 listed building for the national heritage, with practical care and improved services for people, creating a caring and spiritual atmosphere.

It is an example of the creative adaption of an old church building to meet the needs of all people, particularly those who are disadvantaged in some way. It offers a conference venue within Walsall town centre close to the main forms of public transport. Rooms are flexible and of varying sizes and all standard conference facilities are included. Buffet catering can also be added to suit your needs.

Speaking of Shop for Change, Mike Mannix, Operations Manager commented: “In these difficult financial times, Shop for Change is a good way of creating awareness of organisations who exercise corporate social responsibility for the benefit of the local community. It also enables these organisations to support and work with each other”.

Find out more about The Crossing: 01922 645992 | www.thecrossingatstpauls.co.uk | thecrossing@stpauls.walsall.org.uk

Frost and Snow is a award winning social enterprise cupcake bakery based in central Birmingham. It was formed by baker Sarah Frost and housing and care organisation, Midland Heart, following an in depth feasibility study conducted by iSE.

Run with the help of volunteers who are homeless or who have experienced homelessness during their life, the not-for-profit business re-invests all proceeds to supporting people out of homelessness. In just 12 months, 26 former homeless people have received training, four have attained formal qualifications, one has gained an apprentice role as a professional care worker and two have secured full time jobs in the private sector and as a result, Frost and Snow scooped a top award at the 2011 Training Journal Awards.

After a busy Christmas period, Frost and Snow are now preparing for the next big event – Valentine’s Day.

For further information, or to place a cupcake order for any occasion, contact the team:

0845 603 6166 / 07827 232 820 | www.frostandsnow.co.uk | tellmemore@frostandsnow.co.uk

Creative Circles is a young, dynamic and energetic design and marketing company based in Birmingham, with a passion for producing outstanding creative and marketing solutions. Working with the third sector, they help organisations communicate more efficiently and effectively.

As a Community Interest Company, Creative Circles believe it is important for organisations to use good design and marketing practice to promote social change. They re-invest their surpluses to make services accessible to the wider sector including the introduction of a unique service called Free Marketing. Free Marketing is a marketing consultancy service which is offered without charge to qualifying organisations (for more details about this email freemarketing@creativecircles.co.uk).

Creative Circles has recently signed up to Shop for Change having worked closely with iSE to set up the CIC. Thair Rashid, Creative Director, commented: “We jumped at the opportunity when we were asked to sign up on Shop for Change. Unlike other similar types of initiatives, Shop for Change is a free service which has a very easy and intuitive website and during times of financial constraints it does not cost an organisation to appear on the website. Furthermore, we believe the campaign and website play a pivotal role in helping to promote social enterprise”.

Find out more about Creative Circles services: 07773 777253 | www.creativecircles.co.uk | info@creativecircles.co.uk