Social Enterprise Shorts

Arsenal launches 'fanshare'

Arsenal football club has launched a 'fanshare', allowing its supporters to buy a slice of a £9,500 share and have a say in how the club is run.

A fanshare, which the club calls a 'groundbreaking partnership between club and fans', is equal to one hundredth of one share in Arsenal Holdings PLC and costs around £95.

Find out more at www.arsenalfanshare.com or more about footbal club social enterprises HERE.

PM is building 'house on the sand of spending cuts'

Stephen Bubb, CEO of chief executives' body Acevo has warned prime minister David Cameron that he is in danger of building his house on the sand of public spending cuts.

Following a speech by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg yesterday about 100 days of the coalition government, which included an announcement on cuts in 'middle-class' benefits, Bubb said the social enterprise and voluntary sector needed clarification on how growth would be funded.

'We welcome the ambitious plans set out by the coalition in their first hundred days in government to transform public services with a far greater role for social enterprise. But David Cameron is in danger of building his house on the sand of public spending cuts,' Bubb said.
 
'Cameron has promised that an expanding social enterprise sector is at the heart of many of his plans for reform but we now need clarity from government on how they plan to invest in such growth at a time when public spending is being squeezed.'

Community X-Factor fund deadline extended

The deadline for nominations to the Natwest and RBS Community Fund has been extended to Friday 27 August due to an 'overwhelming level of interest'.

The X-Factor style fund asks bank customers to vote for the organisation they think should get between £1,000 and £3,000 cash.

Read our original story on the fund here.

Channel 4 and UnLtd search for best 50 digital health ideas

4iP, Channel 4’s digital investment fund and UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs, are on the look out for bold and ambitious ideas for websites, mobile applications and games that can improve health and well-being.

The UnLtd 4iP Award is looking for the 50 best ideas that develop local community services focusing on positive body image and food habits.

The partnership will give the 50 winners support to develop their idea or prototype and place them firmly on the path of social entrepreneurship. Up to £5,000 and dedicated help will be given to the individuals, including training opportunities, mentoring and access to resources.

Find out more at www.unltd.org.uk/4iP
 

£1m deal for SAFE

Sheppey Arts Foundation Enterprise (SAFE) has won a £1m contact with Leicestershire company, Fanela Ltd, for one million printed t-shirts.

The t-shirts are part of Million Pound Smile, an ArtsAward project from SAFE to engage with and challenge young people in Sheerness. It has so far employed eight trainees, who are learning media skills, including working online, music production and film making.

The t-shirts will be sold through www.millionpoundsmile.com, which launches next month.