This one-day seminar explored how social enterprises can work in partnership to achieve impact and transform lives in local communities. This includes social enterprises working with the public and private sectors, with social investors, and with other social enterprises and charities. Increasingly, people are using the language of partnership, social value, collaboration and impact, but what does this really mean? Everyone says they do collaboration and co-design, but so often, in practice, they don’t.

What are our common causes?
What would make a difference?
What are the essential elements of a good partnership?
What are the barriers to good partnership working?

This seminar explored these questions and the key ingredients for success through a series of case studies and interactive table discussions.

Aimed at:

• Social enterprise leaders
• Local public sector commissioners
• Economic development professionals
• Local authority cabinet members and councillors
• Senior decision makers in private companies seeking to create impact
• Social investors
• Policy makers

Participants had the opportunity to learn from inspirational examples, and the chance to network with others with a range of different perspectives but common interests.

Agenda

9.30        Coffee, registration and networking
10.00     Welcome and Introduction
Jonathan Bland, Managing Director, Social Business International

Change for the better – a common cause
Dan Partington, Senior Sourcing Manager, Zurich

10.45     Table introductions and discussion
What are the common causes? What would really make a difference? What are the key elements of a good partnership? What are the barriers to good partnership working?

11.15     Partnerships with the private sector
How can social enterprises work in a deeper way with Corporates that moves beyond traditional CSR?
Digital training for young people – Catch22 and Microsoft
Melissa Milner, Director External Affairs and Partnerships, Catch22, & Harry Morgan, UK Skills for Jobs Lead, Microsoft
Happier Futures – employment opportunities for young people with care experience
Anna Butcher, Partner and Care Experience Manager, John Lewis Partnership

Table discussion

12.15     Lunchbreak

13.00     Partnerships with social investors
GMCVO Working in Partnership across GM
John Hannen, CEO, GMCVO
Bridges Outcomes Partnerships
Mila Lukic, CEO and Co-founder, Bridges Outcomes Partnerships
Aman Johal, Managing Director, Big Society Capital

Discussion
Can social investors be partners and what do they bring? How can social investment really make a difference?

14.00     Partnerships with the public sector
What are the key ingredients for a successful partnership with local public bodies?
Barnardo’s and Newport City Council – keeping children and young people out of care
Liz Perfect, Head of Strategic Partnerships, & Mark Carter, Assistant Director Childrens Services, Barnardo’s, with Christopher Cahill, Partnerships Manager, Newport City Council
Abbeycroft Leisure and West Suffolk Council – integrating Leisure and Health
Warren Smyth, CEO, Abbeycroft Leisure, & Jill Corwin, Strategic Director, West Suffolk Council

Opportunities under the new rules on public procurement
Julian Blake, Partner, Stone King LLP

Discussion

15.15     Break

15.30     Partnerships in Place
How can place partnerships be developed that harness the full potential of social enterprise?
Northern Roots in Oldham
Anna da Silva, CEO, Northern Roots
Turning Point in Luton
Amy Stephenson, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Turning Point

16.30     Reflections and key ingredients for success
Jonathan Bland

17.00     End

Speakers:
Julian Blake, Partner, Stone King LLP
Jonathan Bland, MD, Social Business International
Christopher Cahill, Partnership Manager, Newport Council
Mark Carter, Assistant Director Children’s Services, Barnardo’s
Anna da Silva, CEO, Northern Roots
Eddie Finch, Partner, Buzzacott LLP
John Hannen, CEO, GMCVO
Aman Johal, MD, Big Society Capital
Jill Korwin, Strategic Director, West Suffolk Council
Mila Lukic, CEO and Founder, Bridges Outcomes Partnerships
Melissa Milner, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships, Catch 22
Harry Morgan, UK Skills for Jobs Lead, Microsoft
Dan Partington, Senior Sourcing Manager, Zurich
Liz Perfect, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Barnardo’s
Warren Smyth, CEO, Abbeycroft Leisure
Amy Stephenson, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Turning Point