‘Social Enterprise in Cornwall’ has been launched on 15 November – Social Enterprise Day - as part of national Enterprise Week 2007 (12-18 November 2007). Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall officially launched the new guide at Blisland Community Post Office and Store at 10:30am itself an established social enterprise.

‘Social Enterprise in Cornwall’ commissioned by the Cornwall Rural Community Council, written by Steve Angove and designed by Cornish World Media aims to offer practical advice to organisations wishing to set up social enterprises. The guide also includes a series of case studies of successful social enterprises in Cornwall. Such businesses range from Falmouth Green Centre with a handful of dedicated volunteers to the Eden Project with over 500 staff. There is growing interest across Cornwall to develop social enterprises – businesses that trade primarily for a social purpose. This trend is being driven by the need to fill gaps in local services, concerns about the environment, consumer demand for ethical trade and the need to create sustainable communities. The Cornwall Rural Community Council provides a bespoke business support service for social enterprises with a particular focus on rural communities.

Key strategic partners and representative from social enterprises in Cornwall, including Eden Project, Rezolve, Aquamacs, Calstock Development Trust, Falmouth Green Centre and Pensilva Health and Fitness Centre joined Lady Mary to celebrate the launch of the publication.

Bob Northey, Community Enterprise officer says ‘Social Enterprise in Cornwall’ couldn’t have come at a better time. The new guide reflects much of the success of community enterprise over the past five years and offers rural communities considering setting up a social enterprise some excellent advice. The guide will be offered as a toolkit for groups seeking support and made available to the wider voluntary and community sector and all relevant public sector organisations. This attractive publication will be used to promote better awareness of social enterprise among rural communities in Cornwall.

More Information on Community Enterprise