Delegates WISE Up at Successful Event

8 May 2008

More than 100 delegates attended a flagship Social Enterprise conference in Redcar & Cleveland, helping to boost skills and knowledge in a sector that has been earmarked to play a key role in the Borough’s economic renaissance.

Planned to showcase the vital role played by community organisations involved with social enterprise activities in the Borough, the Workshops Inspiring Social Enterprise (WISE) event targeted individuals, groups and organisations interested in setting up businesses that will re-invest their profits to tackle social problems for the benefit of the community.

Cllr Mark Hannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development on Redcar & Cleveland Council, said: “We were delighted to secure fantastic keynote speakers, including a cabinet minister, making the event a real coup for Redcar & Cleveland Council. The aim was to inspire, encourage and inform delegates from the Social Enterprise sector, advising on the resources and guidance they need to drive forward their project or organisation.”

Planned and sponsored by Redcar & Cleveland Partnership through its Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) programme - a £10.9 million three-year scheme to boost enterprise and entrepreneurship in the Borough - speakers at the event included Ed Miliband, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and John Bennett, Managing Director of Pack-IT, a distribution, mailing and e-commerce firm that provides employment for disabled and disadvantaged people in the Cardiff area.

“The WISE event was a fantastic initiative, giving delegates all the information and tools they need to establish and run their own social enterprise or to get involved with an existing one,” said Mr Bennett, who also sits on the Welsh Assembly Government Social Enterprise Working Board. “Redcar & Cleveland is an incredibly exciting place to be right now, and the clear enthusiasm of delegates at WISE provides a clear indication of the ambition and passion enjoyed by the community and voluntary sector in this area.”

The event was also attended by Cllr George Dunning, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council. He said: “It was gratifying to see everyone taking such an interest in Social Enterprise and the role it can play in the economic regeneration of the area. We were particularly grateful to Mr Bennett and Mr Miliband for taking the time to share their experience and insight. Armed with the knowledge from WISE, which will form part of a wider training programme initiated by the LEGI team, we are well placed to capitalise on the passion and commitment that exists here in the Borough.”