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

Aspire4u is an Event Management and Youth Training Community Interest Company with a difference. They deliver bespoke creative and imaginative event management solutions to corporate clientele offering packages to suit all budgets, ranging from seminars and conferences to Christmas parties and social functions. They also provide training and vocational work experience opportunities to young people offering alternative career and life development support aiming to improve the life chances of those who are often dissatisfied or disengaged with traditional education facilities.

Aspire4u has been an active member of Shop for Change since attending the launch in 2010 and speaking of the campaign, Aspire4u’s Director, Daniella Genas, commented: “I think Shop for Change is a fantastic initiative. It is very important that organisations make an effort to use other social enterprises in order to ensure the growth of the sector”.

Speaking highly of iSE’s support, Daniella stated: “Elizabeth Barker did some strategy work with me in late 2009 and advised that we should apply for the Social Enterprise Fund. I was quite sceptical but she was really encouraging and supportive and we were subsequently awarded £29,990.10 which was our biggest grant up until that point. It enabled us to do so many things including starting our own Event Management training programme (STEM). It also provided us with the confidence to apply for bigger funding streams which we had assumed previously we would be rejected for. I have attended several iSE events and have found them to be very useful. They have also provided great opportunities for networking”. 

Find out more about Aspire4u’s services: 0121 622 3603 | www.aspire4u.co.uk | info@aspire4u.co.uk

The successful candidate will assist with the identification of a selection of properties across the West Midlands and the launch of the Shop for Change Pop-Up Service. We expect the candidate to take responsibility for promoting the concept to suitable social enterprises and develop the market place for the products and services and the Shop for Change brand.

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate:

• An ability to develop a business plan for the pop up shop concept
• An ability to approach social enterprises to encourage them to sell their products or services via pop up events
• An interest in the social enterprise / charitable sector

Starting salary is based at minimum wage; however successful candidates would be expected to create opportunities for career progression within 6 months.

A job description and application form are available in electronic or hard copy formats by contacting Laura Cole at laura.cole@i-se.co.uk or by phone on 0121 771 1411.

Hard copy applications should be sent to: Debbie Bailey, iSE, Avoca Court, 23 Moseley Road, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0HJ.

Email applications are welcome and should be sent to debbie.bailey@i-se.co.uk. A signed hard copy version may be required as the recruitment process progresses. 

Closing date for applications: Friday 21^st October 2011

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN EMPLOYMENT POLICY STATEMENT: iSE will ensure that all existing and potential employees receive equal consideration and is committed to the elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic and national origin, nationality, sexuality, marital status, responsibility for dependents, religion, trade union activity and age.

Established in 2005, Citizen Coaching CIC helps you to create more successful relationships at work and at home. Based in Birmingham, they provide anger management courses, one to one counselling, executive coaching and help create better business relationships through the effective use of social media and cost effective web optimised websites that can be easily updated.

Citizen Coaching CIC has been an active member of Shop for Change since its launch in 2010 and speaking of the success of the campaign, Martin Hogg, Managing Director commented: “Shop for Change has helped us connect with other social enterprises and launch new products into the market.”

Find out more:  0121 314 7075 | www.citizenenterprises.org.uk | martin@citizencoaching.com

To book onto Martin’s ‘Social Media Masterclass’, a one-day intensive workshop to be held at iSE on 14^th October 2011, visit www.i-se.co.uk or contact Debbie Bailey on 0121 771 1411 or email debbie.bailey@i-se.co.uk.

What People Say About CEO Martin Hogg and Citizen Coaching CIC:

“Martin’s energy and enthusiasm makes him very easy to work with. We commissioned Martin to do a feasibility study for us – which we successfully implemented. He’s positive, very personable, practical, creative… and he gets results.” Ranjit Bansal, March 20^th 2011

“Martin and I have worked on a number of high profile projects including most recently Jamie Oliver’s Dream School. With a high level of professional skill and personal integrity, Martin was a first choice for anger management counselling, coaching for vulnerable young people and co-ordinator of strategic mentor support. One of Martin’s strengths is his ability to combine his skills as a counsellor with his capacity for sound business practice, making him a unique and valued business partner.” Michelle Bould, Director of Cultural Inspirations, May 27^th 2011

“Martin is a very passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic trainer. He is friendly, helpful and humorous and has a very positive outlook. He ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure all participants get as much as possible from the courses he delivers and has the ability to make a ‘dry’ subject (marketing!), enjoyable. I am happy to recommend him as he provides an excellent service which I have found to be worth every penny!” Angie King, May 27^th 2011

iSE is working with construction companies across the UK trying to encourage the introduction of social enterprises into their supply chain. We are currently looking at an opportunity in the West Midlands which will require provision of the following services/products:

•   Joinery (supply of internal doors)
•   Painting and decorating (internal – must supply paint, tools and transport)
•   Cleaning (on site ‘sparkle’ – must provide materials & equipment)
•   PAT testing (must have own equipment)
•   Landscaping (including supply to a given design)
•   Training (e.g. health and safety)
•   Tiling (e.g. toilet facilities)
•   Furniture recycling
•   Pallet recycling
•   Carpet recycling
•   Fixtures and fittings (options of supply only – toilet roll holders, notice boards, blinds)
•   Catering (at site or office meetings, non vegetarian)

Our first port of call for opportunities like this is our Shop for Change directory. If you offer any of these services, or know somebody who does, please register or encourage them to register the service on the free directory, or contact us for more details.

The idea is to enable more social enterprises to gain contracts with private sector companies, moving away from grant and funding dependency. Organisations do not necessarily need to be based in the West Midlands but must have a geographical reach that covers this area.

“Shop for Change is a fantastic way to encourage easier ways of trading with social enterprises… I look forward to Shop for Change growing and growing for a better social economy responsible for MORE THAN profit – a triple bottom line!” 

Dr Birgit Kehrer, Director, ChangeKitchen CIC 

ChangeKitchen CIC is an exciting social enterprise, co-founded by trainer and long term caterer and cook Dr Birgit Kehrer and the well-established Birmingham charity SIFA Fireside. Birgit and her team are ‘Cooking up Change’ by creating delicious vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free catering for a variety of corporate, private, public and third sector events – from 10 to 400 in Birmingham and beyond, whilst offering training, paid work placements and a stepping stone into employment to those facing social exclusion. The work towards ‘Cooking up Change’ extends to the general public by delivering fun and inspiring healthy eating cookery classes, for community groups as well as for team building exercises for public or private sector businesses. They have recently started ethical wedding and civil partnership catering, feedback from which has been extremely positive from couples and guests alike.

Speaking of the Shop for Change campaign, Birgit commented: “I signed up for Shop for Change at one of its initial meetings held as a very successful social enterprise co-trading event at ENTA and think it is a fantastic way to encourage easier ways of trading with social enterprises. ChangeKitchen CIC has made some great links through Shop for Change, which have led to new suppliers of services as well as goods, met new partners to work with and has got leads for our own sales through it, too. I always recommend Shop for Change to both social as well as ‘private’ enterprises, as well as third and public sector organisations. I look forward to Shop for Change growing and growing for a better social economy responsible for MORE THAN profit – a triple bottom line!”

ChangeKitchen CIC is different, colourful and enterprising! Get in touch with Birgit to find out more about tasty event catering or staff training days:

0121 288 3727 / 07828 825 850 | www.changekitchen.co.uk | birgit.kehrer@changekitchen.co.uk |