Plunkett UK

Thank you to Suma Wholefoods for sponsoring the Going Green Award for this year's #rcbawards! 👏 Their support means we can showcase how #combiz are striving to lessen their impact on the environment. 💚 We have seen community businesses reducing the carbon footprint of products and services, managing waste responsibly, helping local people to live more sustainably, and setting up new initiatives to directly benefit the environment.  Community-owned businesses, as locally rooted operations, make sustainable living and more accessible to all. 🙌 👀Stay tuned! Our finalists will be announced on 30 September!

Accessing social investment is a journey that is unique to each organisation and/or social entrepreneur.  In this brilliant guest post by Sebastian Rocca for Good Finance UK he reflects on his experiences of going through the process and the impact its had on Micro Rainbow.  "We feel we have gained more than social investment. We have gained people and organisations that are like minded, who are there to celebrate our success and have done so during times of hardship. We know we can turn to them openly and honestly. They are part of our tribe."  Read the full blog via > https://lnkd.in/dMUGCUiW

Don't forget to book your place onto TOMMOROW'S Scottish Community Pubs Partnership network zoom!

Don't forget to check out our latest and final Impact Blog which showcases how community-owned businesses are vital providers for local people!  Find out how these community businesses are creating a service that those living in rural areas need:  🙌Read about Focus Easington, in County Durham, established a community benefit society to create ‘The Welcome Centre’ to provide a key local service to people in need. 🙌And Amberley Shop on the Common in Gloucestershire, whose community café serves as a warm area, and their shop offers a versatile upstairs balcony area that local groups can use for meetings, and how they offer young individuals the chance to gain essential work experience skills, by engaging students in programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh Award ➡️Check out the blog here:

📽️Hear from Nick Comley Community Business Adviser at Plunkett UK, who shares details about the best practice panel he is Chairing, which focuses on how investing in activities that increase social, economic and environmental impact can support business growth. 📈 The panel includes expert speakers: Carolyn Sims, Director of Lending at Charity Bank, Annie Constable, Digital Content Manager at Good Finance UK and Alice Brown, Manager at Sutton Community Farm.  ➡️Secure your ticket here to find out more: https://lnkd.in/eJ6JfszQ

Why you should come to our #ncbconf!  📽️Hear from Sarah Benn Membership & Training Manager at Plunkett UK, who encourages why you should come to our National Community Business Conference, sponsored by Webmart.  The UK's only conference for community businesses is for everyone! 🙌 Join a wide group of people and businesses where you can network, share ideas and learn from others! 🤝 Secure your ticket today! Thank you to: Ancora Law Anthony Collins Charity Bank Co-operative and Community Finance Cotswold Fayre | B Corp DNA Payments Group Hugh J Boswell Suma Wholefoods TL Dallas & Co Ltd Triodos Bank Utility Aid Wrigleys Solicitors WRS Insurance Brokers Youings Wholesale  👉https://lnkd.in/eJ6JfszQ

Bringing people together through employment! Check out our fourth edition of our impact blog series, where you can learn how community businesses are actively investing in their local residents through creating access to more employment, volunteering and training opportunities! 🙌Learn about The Auctioneer Arms, a community pub in Caverswall, who actively create roles for young people, through apprenticeships and working with the local college 🙌Find out how Chopwell Regeneration Group, a grassroots, community-led charity in Chopwell, Gateshead, are uniting their community through employment and training      🙌And…if you want to find out more about how your #combiz can create impact through volunteering, training and employment, join our expert session at our National Community Business Conference! #combiztogether Check out the blog here:  https://lnkd.in/eH5y2KFb

Meet the Exhibitors for this year's National Community Business Conference! PART 1 Come along to the UK's only face-to-face conference for community businesses and chat to our wonderful exhibitors: ➡️Ancora Law, who deliver premium legal advice and exceptional customer service ➡️Anthony Collins, a social purpose law firm working to support communities in creating positive change  ➡️Charity Bank, the loans and savings bank for charities and social purpose organisations  ➡️Co-operative and Community Finance, who provide tailored loan finance and investments to Co-ops and Community Businesses ➡️Cotswold Fayre | B Corp, a leading speciality and fine food wholesale distributor 🚨Don't miss out! Secure your ticket here:

Great News!  We have awarded our first small grant of the current year's programme of just under £2000 to a community group in Birgham, Scotland, who are wishing to purchase The Fisherman's Arms. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We have been able to do this through support from the Scottish Government's Rural Network Unit, enabling us to offer grants, and free community business support for those who are looking to bring their local pub into community ownership!  Are you a Scottish group that is looking to take over your local pub? 🤔 Get in touch! 👉 Contact us on 01993 630022, or email info@plunkett.co.uk

🔜Don't forget to book your place for our FREE online networking event for Scottish community pub groups!  Next Tuesday, we will be running an informal and friendly event, where you can network, share ideas, and hear about the latest phase of Plunkett's partnership with the Scottish government including grant opportunities.  ⏰18:30-19:30 💻Via Zoom 🏃Be quick! Secure your ticket here 👇https://lnkd.in/exuNXC35 To find out more about this network or to access free advice for your community pub in Scotland, call our friendly Community Business Team on 01993 630 022 or email info@plunkett.co.uk