Enterprise Services
Enterprise
Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise
At Work West Enterprise Agency we are passionate about contributing to the local economy through our range of services for businesses.
Work West can provide you with the right kind of support and guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. We support individuals who are interested in exploring the idea of setting up a new business and have been delivering government sponsored start-up programmes for three decades, helping over 5000 entrepreneurs set up new ventures.
As well as assisting business start-ups, Work West offer a range of business growth programmes suitable for existing businesses.
Our experienced business advisers are on hand for tailored training, support and mentoring, helping you make the right decisions in your planning processes.
For further information about how our support programmes can benefit you and your business. contact Helen Lunny, helen@workwest.co.uk.
Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise
As a market leader, Work West is well known for the quality training and mentoring provided by our team of experts to aspiring and existing social enterprises in Belfast, Ards and North Down and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council areas.
Over the past 35 years Work West has supported micro and large social enterprises, across a diverse range of sectors - from Accounting to Yoga!
Work West currently helps social enterprise start-ups negotiate that challenging start-up journey through the Go Social Programme with Belfast City Council (Social Enterprise & Cooperatives Programme) and the ANDSEP programme which is the social enterprise start up programme for clients located in Ards and North Down.
For further information on social enterprise contact Helen Lunny helen@workwest.co.uk or Stephen McGarry, stephen@workwest.co.uk.
View our video case studies of just a small number of social enterprises and cooperatives that have been supported through the Go Social programme.
Belfast City Council -Go Social
We can help you when setting up a new social enterprise or co-operative through tailored 1:1 support, workshops, and networking opportunities.
So if you are a social entrepreneur with a new idea or charitable organisation seeking to explore moving to a social enterprise or co-operative model contact us today.
Ards & North Down Social Enterprise Programme - Open
Our ANDSEP Programme with Ards & North Down Borough Council has just completed another successful year but is again open for applications.
We are here to support new & existing social enterprises to start and grow to maximise their positive impact on society.
Thanks to our virtual hosts
Our Belfast City Council Social Enterprise & Cooperatives Progamme #GoSocial had a busy few months of events and visits so we want to thank our wonderful host organisations.
We are now open for 2023 so if you need support for your social enterprise or cooperative call us today.
Our Social Enterprise Champion
Championing Social Enterprise in Belfast
We are delighted to annouce Bill Atkinson, Chief Executive of USEL, as our 'Go Social' Champion working closely with the Work West team to spearhead the promotion of the Belfast City Council Go Social Programme across the city.
USEL exists to “Champion Ability”, helping people living with disabilities and health-related conditions find and sustain employment. Operating across 5 sites, its social business group includes the Ability Cafe, Vintage Satchel, The Factory Shop, Slumberin and Usel Recycling Solutions.
Under Bill’s leadership, USEL has become Northern Ireland’s largest provider of supported employment for people with disabilities or health-related conditions. He is passionate about balancing commerciality with social impact and this is evident in USEL’s manufacturing operation, which produces a wide range of products, including mattresses, hand stitched vintage leather satchels and bespoke bags for clients including the UK Emergency Services.
To find out how we can support your new social enterprise or cooperative venture call Stephen or Helen on 028 90610826.
Client Testimonial
At Work West Enterprise Agency, we are proud to have been a part of the journey of many local organisations. Social enterprise OutsideIn (Oi) is one example. Starting out as a streetwear brand to meet the immediate short-term needs of those on our streets, OutsideIn (Oi) has the long-term goal of ending homelessness in our lifetime and are constantly evolving and collaborating with other people and organisations to make that happen.
"Thanks for having us at Work West. The Support and help you have given us has no doubt played a big part in the growth and achievements of late. You have an incredible team who evidently look out for each other and for those at the units here. Couldn't be a better place, so thank you."
David and the Oi Team
We pride ourselves on being able to maximise the support available to our clients. We connect with partner organisations and deliver a range of complementary projects ensuring that you can access the right support at the right time.
Social Entrepreneur, Samantha Porciello, started A Place to Wonder providing immersive storytelling and theatre for children and their grownups, to lower anxiety and increase wellbeing and connection.
Our team supported Samantha to develop her idea and make it reality through the Go Social programme then continued to support the growth and development of these wonderful services through additional services.
"Thanks so much for all your support over 2019/2020. It was honestly life changing for myself and the business."
Samantha Porciello, A Place to Wonder
Work West are delighted to be home to not one but two FourSight certified trainers. Working to support third sector, public sector and private businesses to develop their creativity & innovation.
"I just wanted to say a massive thanks from all of our team for such an enthusiastic and insightful day at the ThincLAB. I’ve had brilliant feedback from the entire team.
It really was excellent."
MD of engineering company after FourSight Mindset session for their team