Start Up
In partnership with
I’m Starting Up
Get support to develop your ‘business for good’ idea and get started on your social business journey by:
1. Choosing a specialist Enterprise Coach to work with and get tailored advice and support for you and your organisation.
2. Signing up for our next Social Venture School. It’s a two-day course that will guide you through a toolkit, so you can leave with a basic business plan.
Photo Team KickStart CIC
Choose a Specialist Enterprise Coach
We have 4 experienced specialist Enterprise Coaches working in different parts of West Yorkshire. They will work with you to explore your ideas or challenges, develop a plan and agree goals. They can also signpost you to other parts of the BfGWY programme or other specialist support organisations.
All of the coaches are employed by BfGWY partner, Participate Projects and are hosted by Participate, Voluntary Action Leeds and TSL Kirklees.
Katherine Wyatt
Calderdale and Kirklees
Usual working days: Tues, Wed, Thurs
Email: katherine@participateprojects.org.uk
Number: 07470746720
Rachel Rickards
Leeds
Usual working days: Tues, Wed and Thurs
Email: rachel@participateprojects.org.uk
Number: 07470746668
Paul Kilgallon
Wakefield
Social Venture School
Learn how to start, develop and lead a social enterprise, co-operative, community group or other social project.
Social Venture School is for individuals and groups who have an idea for social change. Attending the Social Venture School is FREE and provides access to expert support to help you plan your enterprise journey. The school will help you to build a plan for your venture, meet inspirational speakers from other local enterprises, and join a network of like-minded people.
Social Venture Schools will be running across West Yorkshire and are fully funded through Business For Good West Yorkshire.
What will you get out of it?
The two-day school will guide you through our Social Venture Toolkit and you will leave with a basic business plan. It can help you:
- Choose the right legal structure/business model
- Communicate your ideas
- Understand finance and create a sustainable model
- Find and apply for funding
- Consider stakeholders and relationships
- Complete impact monitoring
- Connect with people who are on similar journeys to you
Social Venture School runs over two days, between 9.30am and 3pm. On completion of the course, you will be offered one to one enterprise coaching support to progress your enterprise journey.
The school will be delivered by Participate, one of the Business for Good WY partners, who are working in partnership with local organisations across West Yorkshire.
Find a Social Venture School
Applications are closed for the 2025-26 Programme. Subscribe to our mailing list for updates about any future programmes and other opportunities for you.
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