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Social Firms UK Annual Summer School, Loughborough

2-4th May 2000

The Summer School is a residential event which will bring together the people running social firms / emerging social firms in the UK and experts who support and assist business development in the social firm sector.

In order to achieve balance in the programme, it is important that the majority of delegates work in firms which are already trading and that all delegates are in a position to implement the ideas and plans generated by their participation upon their return to work.

As our attendance is limited by availability of residential places at this venue we are operating a priority booking system. The majority of the places are being reserved for managers and employees of social firms / emerging social firms which are currently trading. Delegates from organisations which are still at the planning stage or who work with support agencies are very welcome to attend this event but we wish to achieve the correct balance by operating a priority booking system.

Conference evaluation

Conference Programme
Tuesday 2nd May

5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Registration and Tea/Coffee

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Introduction, Briefing and Priority Setting

7:30 p.m.
Dinner

Wednesday 3rd May

All sessions and topics will be facilitated by an expert and will involve group work, participation, feedback and action planning. Some sessions will begin with a short presentation, all will fully engage delegates in exploring the issues and solutions.

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
What is a supportive workplace and how can this co-exist with the commercial requirements of running a social firm. The session will explore the concept of "reasonable adjustment" and how this is implemented in social firms.
Led by Bob Grove, Director, Employment Support Unit, Centre for Mental Health Service Development

11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tea and Coffee Break

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Social Firm Management - how to enable social firms to function professionally and effectively as sustainable businesses?
Led by Guy Turnbull and Geof Cox, Directors of Economic Partnerships Ltd

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lunch

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Examining worker participation, ownership and empowerment in social firms. The session will look at possibilities and strategies within co-operatives, charitable companies and other structures.
Facilitated by Sarah Crawley and Tony Davis, Institute of Social Entrepreneurs

4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tea and Coffee Break

4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Business Clinics - discuss your existing or planned businesses with the capacity building teams working for Social Firms UK. This will involve individual or small group consultations with experts who can address issues such as business planning, financial problem solving, effective marketing, product development, business start-up, and management issues.
Kemal Ahson, Sally Reynolds, South East Social Firms Network
Sarah Crawley, and Tony Davis, Institute of Social Entrepreneurs,
Geof Cox, Guy Turnbull, North of England Network,
Petra Dreyer, FAF Germany and
Judy Birchley, Shaw Trust.

7:30 p.m.
Dinner

Thursday 4th May

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Social Security Benefits - what effect have government schemes such as New Deal for Disabled People, Disabled Persons Tax Credit and the Welfare Reform and Pension Bill had on employees or workers wishing to be employed in social firms?
Led by Judy Scott, Service Development and Editor of the Benefits Page in "Life in the Day"

10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Tea and Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
a) Formulating a Social Firms UK proposal to Government on social welfare and support measures for disabled people wishing to work in social firms.
Facilitated by Judy Scott and Gerry Higgins

b) Business Clinics - discuss your existing or planned businesses with the capacity building teams working for Social Firms UK. This will involve individual or small group consultations with experts who can address issues such as business planning, financial problem solving, effective marketing, product development, business start-up, and management issues.
Kemal Ahson, Sally Reynolds, South East Social Firms Network
Geof Cox, North of England Network
Petra Dreyer, FAF Germany
Judy Birchley, Shaw Trust

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:00 p.m. to 3: 00 p.m.
Finance and Grants - what sources of finance are relevant to social firms in 2000, new Esf Initiatives, Equal, New Deal, SRB6, Supported Placement Scheme etc. Which initiatives are worth bothering about and how to access appropriate funds?
Led by Kemal Ahson and Judy Birchley

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Conclusion and action planning for delegates, regional networks and Social Firms UK incorporating tea and coffee prior to finish and departure.
Facilitated by Gerry Higgins and Geof Cox

4:00 p.m.
Finish
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