Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney

HCD’s Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney programme delivers support to start-up co-operatives and social enterprises or those planning for or experiencing growth.

The programme provides local co-operatives and social enterprises with the necessary skills and knowledge to grow their enterprise, in turn growing the local economy and the socially-owned share of the wider economy.

We believe passionately that social enterprises offer individuals the opportunity to come together to create businesses that are better for them and society and we are here to support those with the talent, ambition, and commitment to succeed.

Typically, we will offer support to co-operatives and social enterprises that are:

• Preparing to start trading
• In their first year of trading
• Planning for or experiencing rapid growth
• Planning to move premises
• Developing a new product, service, or market
• Wanting to change their management structure

We offer support in all areas of co-operative enterprise including business planning, governance, finance, environmental sustainability, fundraising, legal advice, marketing, property management, investment readiness, decision-making, and social return on investment.

With over 40 years of experience working with local authorities, government agencies, and community sector organisations reclaiming the commons, to deliver sustainable development and regeneration projects, which have led to a positive change in the economic development and urban landscape of Dalston, Hackney.

We can share the expertise we have developed in our work in new-build and rehabilitating  buildings into a vibrant and extensive property portfolio of workspace and community assets, as well as leading on the development and management of new public  spaces.

We advise on all areas of fundraising and social investment, including supporting clients with bid-writing and developing Community Share Offers.

We help clients develop effective partnership work to tackle social problems, realise market opportunities and build support from the local community through outreach and engagement.

We can help you to develop the systems that will measure what is important to your organisation, and effectively demonstrate your impact to all of your stakeholders, including current and potential funders, your local community, your beneficiaries, and even your own Board and team.

We are highly experienced facilitators, mentors, and trainers offering group or one-to-one support.

If you want to apply for support for your co-operative or social enterprise, please contact our Social Enterprise Development Manager, Douglas at d.racionzer@hcd.coop