View video on Enterprise Week 17 - 23 November 2008 (hosted on youtube, flashplayer required to view)

The Regional Plan for Sport sets out the strategic aims for sport and active recreation in the South West.

The plan identifies part of the journey that will need to be taken if collectively we are going to influence and increase the activity levels of people in the region and benefit from outcomes this will bring. Here we look at helping all partners in the region understand the potential of social enterprise models to deliver financially sustainable sport activities, and in particular:

• What social enterprise is and what is the relevance to sport
• The context for social enterprise in the UK

What is social enterprise?

Social enterprises are independent organisations trading for social / ethical purpose, and bringing economic benefits to the communities they work in. Social enterprises exist first and foremost because of their social objectives. However social enterprises also recognise that their business needs to generate surplus income and re-invest in future developments.

The key characteristics of social enterprises are:

Enterprise Orientation - they are directly involved in producing goods or providing services to a market. They aim to be viable trading concerns. For sports social enterprises this could involve renting facilities, managing a leisure service, or running income generating services like a café or bar.

However, while all social enterprises earn money through trading, surpluses are re-invested in the business or social objective.

Social Aims - they have explicit social aims and operate in an ethical way. For sports social enterprises these social aims may include: providing affordable sport to people on low incomes, to improve activity levels amongst those who do not usually do exercise, or to support unemployed people into sports careers.

Many social enterprises are also characterised by their social ownership. They are autonomous organisations whose governance and ownership structures are normally based on participation by stakeholder groups (e.g. employees, users, clients, local community groups and social investors). They are accountable to their stakeholders and the wider community for their social, environmental and economic impact.

For more information on 'social enterprises', download the Social Enterprise Bulletin which highlights some excellent examples of sports social enterprise that are already leading the way in the South West.

Mevagissey Activity Centre
	A multi-purpose community hub that provides activities for all members of the community. The facilities on offer include outdoor sports pitches, a sports hall, a surgery, an IT suite and meeting rooms. The vision for the Centre came from two local charities who formed a new Community Interest Company to take it forward. (A Community Interest Company is a new legal structure for social enterprises, created in 2005). Mevagissey Activity Centre is in its first year of operation and is working towards a financially viable business model. “Our break even point will be at the beginning of year four” says Martin Hopkinson, Centre Manager. “We are determined to deliver the dream behind this building.”	View video	10m 11s
Crewkerne Aqua Centre
	Managed by Crewkerne Leisure Management, providing a range of sports and health activities for the local community. The equivalent of fifteen full-time staff are employed at the Centre and work alongside a significant pool of volunteers. Crewkerne Leisure Management is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, with an annual turnover in the region of £400 – 450,000. Any surplus income is used to fund further improvements to the services and facilities on offer. In the last year the organisation has overseen a significant extension of the Centre, with funding from Sports England and others. As well as the original swimming pool, the Centre now also includes a dance studio, extensively-equipped gym, and meeting rooms. The new Centre can offer an increased range of services, broadening it’s appeal locally - and importantly, its customer base.	View video  Part 1 View video  Part 2	5m 37s 5m 29s
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy
	Established in 1999 as a not-for-profit company with three aims: to promote the sport of sailing at all levels of competence, to include all people, especially those with difficulties; to provide a facility for the community to use; and to contribute to substantial economic regeneration. The Sailing Academy has managed the development of a new clubhouse at Osprey Quay - a major asset development project. Converted from a former Naval Air Station, it was officially opened until June 2005. Funding for the capital project came from a range of sources including Sport England and the South West Regional Development Agency. Today, the Academy has an annual turnover in excess of £1m and employs 12 full time staff, with local volunteers helping to run larger events. At some events, there may be up to 60 volunteers, primarily taken from the local community. The Academy operates on trading income and is financially sustainable. As well as providing high class racing events, tuition, and training facilities, the Academy also offers subsidised sailing courses to the local community, ensuring that sailing can be genuinely enjoyed by all, irrespective of social background.	View video part 1 View video part 2	6m 51s 4m 39s