Bath Spa University and 3SG have set up the Bath Social Impact Network (BSIN) to fill a gap identified for businesses and individuals working in social, community and environmental impact areas in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES).
Whether you’re a social enterprise, B Corp, CIC, co-op, or interested in the work of these types of organisations, we’re here to support you on your journey.
If you want to meet and connect with like-minded and purpose-driven individuals and businesses then this network is for you. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend sessions specially tailored to help grow and develop the social economy. We aim to bring together those working for good in the BaNES region, making us stronger together.
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We’ll be running sessions specially tailored for businesses and individuals working in social, community and environmental impact areas in BaNES. Whether you already work in these areas, are looking to grow or set up a new impact organisation or looking for one to partner with, you’re more than welcome to join us at one of our events.
'Social Enterprise Shorts' is a 10+5 minute timed format event. A selection of Social Enterprises will have 10 minutes to introduce their business and discuss their allocated topic. They'll then have a 5 minute Q&A before we move onto the next speaker. It's a great opportunity for the Social Enterprise community to hear what's out there and hear from individuals who might need support, or are able to offer support.
Bath Social Impact Network (BSIN) are delighted to be hosting our second ‘Cultural Organisations Group’ networking event. This event is open to any individual or organisation involved in BaNES Cultural activities and it's your opportunity to connect with likeminded individuals and fuel positive change across the area.
During this event, you'll have the opportunity to speak with Rob Campbell (Head of Culture & Heritage Services, BaNES) to discuss the draft Cultural Development Plan for BaNES. If this is news to you (what's BaNES Cultural Development Plan?), this is the perfect opportunity to hear about the plan and offer your thoughts to shape the plan.
This networking event is the second in the series of what will be an ongoing co-collaboration with the Council and BSIN members and we would love to welcome a diverse range of cultural organisations to our events.
Alongside discussions around the Cultural Development Plan, we'll also have allocated networking time throughout this session.
We welcomed over 55 guests to our relaunch event, including BSU staff, BSIN's partner 3SG, and social enterprises, cultural organisations and B Corps from across Bath and North East Somerset.
Attendees heard from guest speakers representing each of these new areas: Sue Marchant from Cool Ventures, Rob Campbell from Bath and North East Somerset Council and Dan Gregory from Social Enterprise UK. Attendees also had a chance to network with each other and discuss collaboration opportunities, whilst enjoying a glass of fizz and canapes provided by Bath Community Kitchen, who use communal meals and cookery workshops to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing in Bath and surrounding areas.
We were joined by Stacey Pottinger, who spoke to us about evaluating social impact, how to apply frameworks and creative methods to your data, and what content to use for impact reporting.
We welcomed members of the network to discuss how social enterprises in the region can grow.
Dan Gregory from Social Enterprise UK discussed the growth of Social Enterprises in the region and the policies associated with social enterprises. We also heard from Annie Legge from Tech4Good South West, who spole of her experience founding multiple social enterprises here in the West of England.
We welcomed 3SG to our June networking event, who told us all about Social Economy West and the exciting opportunities it offers.
Social Economy West is a West of England Mayoral Combined Authority initiative designed to support and grow the social economy in the region, helping organisations to overcome increasing demand amid the cost-of-living crisis. It’ll provide charities, third sector organisations, social enterprises and co-operatives with the resources, expertise and guidance they need.
We also heard more about Cool Ventures' Business Support Services.
We heard from some of our amazing members about the journeys they've been on in setting up their organisations. Our guest speakers were Rebecca Cross from Pulse on Prosperity Working Together CIC, Iain Bruce from Brew Crew and Rob Lewis from Bath Community Kitchen.
We were joined by Nichola McAvoy from Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), the biggest network of social enterprises in the UK. Nichola spoke to us about the work SEUK do under their strapline of "Creating an environment for Social Enterprises to thrive."
Attendees heard about the exciting role they're playing on the national stage and the role your organisation can play in working together to influence policy.
Nichola also updated us on SEUK's Social Enterprise Place scheme, which recognises hot spots of Social Enterprise activity.
We were thrilled to celebrate the first anniversary of Bath Social Impact Network at Newark Works.
We heard from Isobel Michael and Claire Wynne Hughes about Giving Circles and the current funding landscape of BaNES. Attendees then had the chance to network and discuss how they could contribute to the ever-changing funding landscape.
Our festive networking event was a chilled evening with home baked goods and great conversation. Attendees relaxed and reminisced on how the year had gone for us all.
By joining the network you’ll belong to a group of like-minded members who are keen to work together to grow and learn from each other.
Opportunities will include:
We’re interested to know what you’d like from the network and how we can make it work best for our members.
Bath Spa University and 3SG have set up the Bath Social Impact Network in partnership. Bath Spa University is a certified member of Social Enterprise UK and brings to the network its expertise in social enterprise, social value and entrepreneurship. BSU will be running the in-person events.
3SG is an independent membership network supporting the charity, social enterprise, faith and voluntary sector operating in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES). To the network, they bring their expertise in managing other networks in the region and will be running the online events.
