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Networking to forge alliances, meet new friends and win new business. |
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Grants information for the British charitable and non-profit sector. Latest funding information from Central Government, National Lottery, devolved governing bodies, EU and quangos. |
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Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations - the professional body for the third sector’s chief executives. |
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Aims to promote a healthy, vibrant and sustainable rural community sector that is well connected to policies and initiatives at national, regional, and local levels. |
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Tools, directories, guides and fact sheets for professionals involved in information, advice and guidance work. Funding directory, job profiles, CV builder, learning directory - Resources |
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The Alliance is a new organisation (starting on 1st April 2008) comprising all 25 Sector Skills Councils. |
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The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has end to end responsibility for Apprenticeships in England. |
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Collaborative unit serving the rural community and its churches, supported by the National Churches, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Rank Foundation. |
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The national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery. |
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Awards grants of £300 to £10k for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. |
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Help in finding good, safe, accountable food from local sources. |
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Lottery fund distributor. |
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An innovative programme for entrepreneurs focusing on start-ups, micro and small enterprises in areas experiencing economic disadvantage. |
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Uses multi-media techniques to encourage young people to consider setting up their own business. |
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Directories of Design Companies, Design Graduates, Innovation Partners. East Midlands section. |
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Category listings of charities, news of the charity and voluntary sector, assisting people in giving to charities. |
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Volunteers from companies introduce students to the opportunities and challenges of business as well as improving their key skills in preparation for the world of work. |
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A service dedicated to offering high quality advice, guidance and training to individuals, employed or unemployed, launching into self-employment or existing businesses looking for growth. Contact
Phone: |
0800 45 88 797 |
Email: |
info@enterprisesupport.org |
Address: |
Business Enterprise Support Limited, Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1SN |
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Helps small or medium-size companies find new customers and grow their business. |
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A unique independent business-led charity whose purpose is to inspire, engage, and support and challenge companies, to continually improve the impact they have on society. |
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Part of a national consortium of Enterprise Agencies providing free advice for those wishing to go into business on their own or to assist existing businesses who may wish to expand or are experiencing problems.
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National advice service, providing straightforward business information and access to a wide network of business support. Run by DTI Small Business Service. East Midlands Business Link & West Midlands Business Link. Contact
Phone: |
EM 0845 058 6644, WM 0845 113 1234 |
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The aim of Women in Business is to encourage more women to become business owners and support women who own their own business, employed women and women at home by offering mutual support with a holistic approach. |
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Employment FAQs, schemes, rights, contracts, discrimination, grievances, dismissal, redundancy, young people, fact sheets. |
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Campaigns for a sustainable future for the English countryside, highlighting threats and promoting positive solutions. |
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Business-led charity that galvanises and channels free professional advice from leading service providers across a range on disciplines into UK and international carbon reduction projects. |
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Helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies.
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Community accountancy project that provides financial advice and training to small charities and voluntary groups. Website contains many factsheets. |
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A verified guide to businesses in the UK, listing over 2000 member companies and other leading UK organisations covering 32 industry categories. Contact
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Training, consultancy, advice and information for the voluntary sector on quality and evaluation systems, with the aim to increase effectiveness. |
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Compliance with HR and H&S legislation for charities, community groups and social enterprises. |
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Established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. Aim is to increase charities' effectiveness and public confidence and trust. |
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Monthly magazine for the Voluntary and Community sector. |
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Represents the interests of charity retailers. |
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Features and news analysis on financial, legal, fundraising, marketing, technology, management issues for charities, voluntary groups & non-profits. |
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Charity Trustee Networks provide trustees and management committee members with opportunities to access help, support and advice by sharing knowledge and experience. |
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Helping people to exercise their rights and responsibilities and to obtain fair treatment under the law, thereby improving their lives. GoogleMap of local CAB |
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Finds and publishes practical information that helps entrepreneurs start up and run their small businesses. |
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Provides independent advice to government to ensure that policies reflect the real needs of people living and working in rural England, with a particular focus on tackling disadvantage. |
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Enables good management in voluntary organisations through support for sound accountancy practices. |
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UK's leading organisation for the development, promotion and support of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. |
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Works to ensure that community development is recognised and supported as a powerful way of tackling inequality and achieving social justice. |
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Trade association for Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). |
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Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies with special additional features created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage
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A resource to assist you develop community land trust solutions for affordable housing, amenity and workspace in Britain. |
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National Federation for Community Organisations - promoting and supporting action in response to social, educational and recreational needs in neighbourhoods and communities. |
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Promotes and campaigns for volunteering and volunteer training. |
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Incorporates and dissolves limited companies; examines and stores company information delivered under the Companies Act. |
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Provides business support and guidance across the industry: advice regarding skills development; training plans; Investors in People; latest developments in research. Contact
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UK's register of pre-qualified local and national construction and construction-related contractors and consultants. Owned and endorsed by the DTI |
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ContinYou uses learning to tackle inequality and build social inclusion by creating programmes and services that build learning communities. |
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Helping organisations find public sector contracting opportunities worth more than £10,000. |
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Central membership organisation for co-operative enterprise in UK, promoting co-operative and mutual solutions, working in partnership with members to build a strong and successful co-operative movement.
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Organisation safeguarding the interests of those responsible for land, property and business throughout rural England and Wales. Members service with local representatives.
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Monthly magazine for the Smallholder, Poultry Keeper, Organic Gardener and Small Livestock Farmer. |
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Aims to build a strong economy and infrastructure for craft throughout the country and to champion high quality contemporary craft nationally and internationally. |
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Supports the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London. |
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A network for creative professionals to encourage growth through collaboration and to provide a forum and collective voice for the industry. Contact
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Helps organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable to work with children or other vulnerable members of society. |
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Registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. |
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Brings together the interests of farmers, the countryside, environment, rural economy; food, and air and water quality. Core purpose is to improve the current and future quality of life. |
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One of Defra's major tasks is to help farmers to operate as efficiently as possible. Defra administers EU support policies which provide around £3 billion to UK agriculture. |
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Aims to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. |
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Promoting the vision of prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all. |
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Helps people to achieve their potential through employment, so that they are able to provide for their children and to work and save for secure retirement |
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Aims to be an internationally recognised independent source of information and support to voluntary and community sectors worldwide. |
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National database of volunteering opportunities in the UK, as part of the registered charity YouthNet |
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Resource to promote apprenticeships by connecting engineering employers and potential apprentices. Information on setting up and running apprenticeships. Telephone support. Contact
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Provides business support in employment relations and employment law, health, safety and environment, manufacturing performance, and education and skills. |
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Hub for schools enterprise. |
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Empowers young people to realise their potential through business and enterprise. Flexible, interactive programmes that use real life business experience to inform, involve and inspire young people of all abilities.
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Tips, ideas, know-how and resources for small business and home business owners |
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Aims to give people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising, and to create a society where an enterprise culture and entrepreneurial behaviour drive economic prosperity and social cohesion. |
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Public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. Can provide grants and technical support. |
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Free independent support to your business for reducing waste, helping you to become more resource efficient and save money. >> East Midlands page. Contact
Phone: |
Advice Line 0800 585794. Regional Manager for East Midlands is Catherine Wale |
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Champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. |
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A campaign group bringing together farmers, consumers and environmentalists to fight for a sustainable future for farming in the UK. |
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Pastoral and practical support to farming people during periods of anxiety, stress and problems relating to both the farm household and the farm business. |
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A magazine sharing skills and information to cut farming costs through innovation. |
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Schemes that make annual payments to farmers to compensate for the agricultural income foregone as a result of planting woodlands. |
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Seeks to secure a sustainable level of income for farmers and growers. |
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Leading national farming newspaper. |
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Farming news. |
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Educates children and young people about food and farming in a sustainable countryside. |
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UK independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice and consultancy to farmers and crofters. |
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Aims to provide information on the challenges and opportunities of climate change, as well as suggested adaptations and mitigation measures which farmers could start considering.
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Agricultural newspaper. |
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Works mainly as a campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Comprehensive website. |
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Works in the areas of procurement, fundraising, social enterprise, and financial management. Part of ChangeUp. |
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A strategic, impartial, employer-led organisation which
aims to enhance professionalism and talent for our sector across all of the nations and regions of the UK. |
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Help and advice for community groups and voluntary organisations who are seeking funding. |
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Delivers practical programmes to make sure that, as communities and individuals, we can get the most from our forests. |
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Works in partnership with business, the public sector and others to build a sustainable future. Works on farming related sustainability issues. |
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A new range of services to assist the third sector in fully costing their projects and services. |
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Provides a range of services to support public, private and the voluntary and community sector in accessing UK, EU and other grants/funding. |
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Detailed news and information about new sources of funding for all those involved in raising money for not for profit organisations throughout the UK. |
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Online reference and decision-making tool for charities, social enterprises and co-operative organisations. |
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Online market place for buying and selling livestock, farm machinery, animal feed, farm land and more. |
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Online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector from government funders. |
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Graduate internship programme - part of a package of measures to support graduates to improve their employability skills and support business at the same time. |
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Developed to advise and guide both industrial and professional clients on all matters relating to grant aid. |
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A straightforward free service to help groups and small businesses find suitable funding. Via a step-by-step questionnaire, information is provided from database of over 4000 grants, loans and other initiatives.
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A comprehensive source of information on grants, loans and awards available to help your business go green and save on energy bills. |
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Workshop to give you all the information and knowledge you need to help you develop the most effective green marketing for your business or organisation. |
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Provides seminars, workshops and consulting services for social entrepreneurs in the United States and around the world.
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Helps rural business administrators and farm secretaries service the book keeping and recording needs of a diverse range of small businesses in the countryside. Contact
Phone: |
024 7669 6592 |
Email: |
AgSA@IAgSA.co.uk |
Address: |
National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2LZ |
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Professional membership body for UK fundraisers, working to promote the highest standards in fundraising practice and management. |
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Strategic and operational third sector development organisation working to start, develop and sustain social enterprises, social firms and voluntary and community sector organisations.
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Comprehensive information on grants, financial assistance, subsidies, and in-kind help, for business and voluntary groups - updated daily. |
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One of the UK's largest providers of vocational training and recruitment services, operating from a network of over fifty Business Centres nationwide. |
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ARCHIVE. A government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work, and helping employers to fill their vacancies. |
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Search through all job vacancies posted on all UK job sites. |
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The largest Public and Not-for-Profit recruitment site in the UK, carrying job vacancies for hundreds of employers throughout the country. |
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Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector - licensed by the UK government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. Contact
Phone: |
024 7669 6996 |
Email: |
connect@lantra.co.uk |
Address: |
Lantra House, Stoneleigh Park, Nr Coventry, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG |
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Representative body for solicitors in England and Wales. Negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators; offering training and advice; helps, protects and promotes solicitors. |
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Demonstrates Integrated Farming Management principles through a nationwide network of volunteer Demonstration Farms that provide working examples of how Integrated Farming can produce affordable food in harmony with the environment. Contact
Phone: |
0247 6413 911 |
Email: |
enquiries@leafuk.org |
Address: |
The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ |
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Operates a network of more than 800 online learning centres in England and Wales, providing access to a range of e-learning opportunities. |
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An independent not-for-profit organisation committed to making a difference to education and training. Contact
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Aims to create an Arts foundation for the Environment by building and directing national touring exhibitions which bring together professional artists and the public to create unique themed works of art that promote, preserve and protect the beauty of nature. |
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Lottery Funding is a joint website run by all Lottery funders in the UK. |
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Helping charities communicate by providing information and training. |
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A website designed to help people take their first steps with computers and the internet. You can find out all about the mouse, the keyboard, and the internet, and get ready to chat to friends with your own email account. |
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Helps to promote voluntary and community action by supporting CVS and by acting as a national voice for the local voluntary and community sector. |
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Advice for enterprise starters and entrepreneurs to decide the best business structure; support in setting up a new business; search for business names, trade marks, brands, and domain names. |
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Umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, helping voluntary organisations to achieve the highest standards of practice & effectiveness. |
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Network of not-for-profit agencies supporting small and growing businesses by providing a comprehensive range of services - targeting pre-start, start-up and micro businesses. |
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A network of local family farmer groups, organisations and networks that exchange ideas and good practice, and work together to influence the policies. |
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Co-operative of farmers, producers selling on a local scale, and farmers' markets organisers.
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Represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales, promoting successful and socially responsible agriculture and horticulture and the long term viability of rural communities. |
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Promotes the study and general advancement of adult continuing education - advancing the interests of adult learners and potential learners. |
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Provides a single, independent and authoritative source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies in the United Kingdom. |
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Service provided by universities for businesses and organisations working to promote economic and social development of rural areas. |
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Statistics about Britain's economy, population and society at national and local level. |
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Natural England brings together English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service to conserve and enhance the natural environment. Contact
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Introduces young people from schools and local communities to the world of business and entrepreneurship teaching them how to develop their own small business. |
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An independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being. |
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An independent UK weekly news magazine dedicated to physical and social community regeneration. |
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Organic certification body - carries out the inspection and licensing of organic farming and food processing across the UK. |
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An online community that helps you: find business partners, co-founders, executives, and board members; Network with other entrepreneurs and small businesses; Ask for and offer advice; Find premises; Find service providers. |
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Free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. |
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UK government's online planning and building regulations resource - to learn about planning and building regulations, apply for planning permission and building regulations consent, find out about development near you, appeal against a decision and research government policy. |
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An educational charity, based near Oxford in the UK, which supports the development of rural group enterprise world-wide. |
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A UK charity that helps young people realise their potential and transform their lives through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance. Contact
Phone: |
EM 0116 253 7824; WM 01384 892 100 |
Email: |
webinfoem@princes-trust.org.uk |
Address: |
EM Mansion House, 41 Guildhall Lane, Leicester LE1 5FQ; WM Lye Business Centre, Enterprise Drive, Hayes Lane, Lye, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 8QH |
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A national network of over 1,000 professional firms who give their time and expertise for free to local community groups and voluntary organisations.
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ARCHIVE - An initiative aimed at encouraging and providing support for disabled people to start their own business. |
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A grant-making charity that supports members of the farming community facing need, hardship or distress. |
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Supports the development of British agriculture and a vibrant rural economy through good science, best practice, a co-ordinated approach to rural issues, support for business, social welfare in rural communities, education, shows and events. |
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VIRSA supports rural communities wanting to set up and run a community owned shop. |
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UK wide review directory of Rural Businesses, Land & Business information, Tourism, Creative Industries, Woodlands and Small Business Help. |
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Executive Agency of Defra, providing a range of services in support of the department’s objectives - making rural payments, carrying out rural inspections, livestock tracing. |
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An independent organisation dedicated to finding practical and progressive solutions to the problems and challenges facing rural communities. Contact
Phone: |
01900 828 870 |
Address: |
Unit 5C, Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 1QT |
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Over 800 reports and guides to help you research a business idea, start up and run a new business |
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Runs UK-wide training programmes for social entrepreneurs. |
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Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies - seeks to drive improvements in productivity by transforming skills. |
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Up to date and relevant information on providers of many courses, support programmes, publications & consultants nationwide. |
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An agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) funds and regulates adult FE and skills training in England. |
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To enable people in charities and social enterprises to have the right skills to make a difference to people and their communities. |
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Aims to raise the standard of learning, training, coaching and business support available to prospective and existing small and home business owners. |
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News, information, training, events for anyone interested in smallscale farming and the countryside. |
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Promotes and supports social accounting as the preferred means whereby organisations report on their social, environmental and economic performance and impact. |
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The ambassadors are a group of experienced and inspirational people who lead social enterprise. |
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Welcoming social enterprise into health and social care: a resource pack for social enterprise providers and commissioners. |
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Implements infrastructure and systems development, capacity building, research and development for the social enterprise sector in the UK.
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Provides a national platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise, sharing best practice and influencing policy. Formerly Social Enterprise Coalition. |
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Support, advice and guidance to prospective and established social enterprises during critical periods of their start up and development. |
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Aims to create employment opportunities for disabled people through the development and support of Social Firms.
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Social issues news from the Guardian newspaper, including a section on the voluntary sector. |
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Campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming |
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A suite of publicly funded business support products and services designed to help businesses start, grow and succeed. |
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UK new business magazine for pre-start and early life businesses, with news, reviews and special features.
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Online resource for starting a business. News, information, how-to guides, business plans, finding premises, tax, marketing, business online, wholesaling, insurance, technology, hiring and firing, health and safety and legal issues. |
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Connects third sector organisations and registered adult social care providers in England with suppliers of technology products and services. |
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Advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.
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Seeks to support and enhance the landlord-tenant system. Represents and advises members on all aspects of agricultural tenancy and ancillary matters. |
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Cultivating creative business in north and east Derbyshire. Help to find support and advice to develop creative businesses or to help get business ideas off the ground. |
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UKs foremost organisation for women in business with a range of services, training and news for members and monthly networking meetings across the country, including East and West Midlands.
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Magazine covering charaties, vountary organisations and social enterprises. |
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Over 25,000 courses that can be browsed and searched through intelligent search tools. |
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Website by Living Countryside - a small voluntary organisation that seeks to preserve the countryside through a viable agricultural industry. |
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Aims to benefit employers, individuals and government by advising how improved employment and skills systems can help the UK become a world-class leader in productivity, in employment and in having a fair and inclusive society.
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Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK, aims to stimulate a successful vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema. |
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Supports social entrepreneurs by providing a complete package of funding and support to help individuals make their ideas a reality.
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Independent charity seeking to inspire a new generation of young volunteers (aged 16-25) in England and enable a lasting change in the quality, quantity and diversity of youth volunteering. |
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National online resource for learning and training in the voluntary and community sector. Directory of VCS infrastucture organisations supporting training. Resources section. |
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Dedicated support programme for communities looking to set up and run a community-owned rural shop. |
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A rural initiative from the BIG Lottery Fund and the BBC, challenging villages across the UK to come up with brilliant ideas for brand new businesses. |
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Aims to make it quick and easy to get to useful information on anything to do with running a voluntary organisation. |
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Promotes participation in the arts and crafts as a key part of our culture and vital to our health, social and economic development. |
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Works to support and increase the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. |
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Full day bootcamps designed to help small businesses learn how to use the web to increase sales, save money and go global. |
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An interactive tool for nder 18s who have the germ of an idea, the enthusiasm and determination to take it forward or would simply like to be your own boss in the future. |
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National business club for rural women, offering a dynamic member package of practical and specific business services and support for women in rural enterprise.
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Organisation committed to promoting an understanding of and confidence in all aspects of quality British produce. |
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Aims to inspire young people to develop an interest in engineering, and, in doing so, recognise the importance and excitement of engineering as a future career. |
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Business and enterprise education charity offering a range of programmes, based on the principle of Learning by Doing, which brings volunteers from business into the classroom to work with teachers and students. |
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Resource for business owners and entrepreneurial enthusiasts - articles, interviews with experts, downloadable forms, membership based forum. |
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Champions young people by providing financial support to young learners, by funding Academies for all their provision and by supporting local authorities to commission suitable education and training opportunities for all 16-19 year olds. |
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