Welcome

Together Works is the social enterprise network for Greater Manchester.

Our aim is to develop a strong, independent and cohesive social economy in Greater Manchester that delivers outstanding financial, social and environmental benefits to our communities. As a consortium of social enterprises, Together Works is uniquely placed to deliver effective services to and with the social enterprise sector.

 

Together Works aims and objectives are summarised in the declaration made to the CIC regulator on incorporation:

 

The company’s activities will provide benefit to.

the communities of Greater Manchester and the social enterprises that serve them:

“social enterprises exist to further a social or environmental goal – that is they

exist to help people and/or places.” [The Small Business Service survey of social

enterprises across the UK. 2005. Section 4.1]

 

 

Activities

  • to develop a strong, independent and cohesive social economy in Greater Manchester that delivers outstanding financial, social and environmental benefits to our communities.
  • To maximise access for new and established social enterprises to high quality, affordable support services.
  • To develop a shared strategic direction for the social enterprise sector, and to advocate for social enterprise to those most able to effect change.
  • To promote social enterprise to potential customers, as innovative providers of high quality products and services.
  • To improve the support infrastructure for social enterprise and promote principles of best practice

 

 

How will the activity benefit the community?


The Small Business Service survey of social enterprises across the UK 2005:Table 4.1 lists the beneficiaries of social enterprise activity as follows:

  • People with disabilities 19%
  • Children / young people 17%
  • Elderly / old people 15%
  • People on low incomes 12%
  • Other vulnerable groups 9%
  • Unemployed people 9%
  • Specific ethnic groups 7%
  • Women 6%
  • Homeless people 4%
  • Specific interest groups 4%
  • Other 5%
  • Local Community Generally 24%

Benefits are provided through the provision of goods and services and the provision of employment. The CIC will improve the ability of social enterprises in Greater Manchester to contribute to these communities and to the environment that they depend on.


In particular, social enterprises are concentrated in Areas of Multiple Deprivation.

Seven of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities receive Neighbourhood Renewal Funding,based on the Indices of Deprivation 2004. The Index of Multiple Deprivation contains seven deprivation domains which relate to:

  • Income deprivation
  • Employment deprivation
  • Health deprivation and disability
  • Education, skills and training deprivation
  • Barriers to Housing and Services
  • Living environment deprivation
  • Crime.

Social enterprises in Greater Manchester are active in all these Domains.

 

Increased levels of social enterprise activity will have particular benefits for the communities in these areas and will contribute to the alleviation of poverty and an increased quality of life.

 

 

Our Company differs from a general commercial company because....

 

The CIC's main aim is to benefit the community and the co-operative CIC model enshrines and ensures the democratic participation of all stakeholders.

 

 

If the company makes any surplus it will be used for.....

 

to fund the activities under the objective of the CIC.