Government set to make running a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation easier

Vulnerable and older people can hope to benefit from Government changes to red tape rules for people setting up new services to improve their community.

In three recent policies set out by the Government, the role and importance of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has been championed. They have placed importance on supporting the social entrepreneurs behind them who work hard to lead organisations to find long term solutions for difficult social problems.

Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd said: “There is no shortage of social entrepreneurs in the UK with the ideas, passion and talent to create successful businesses that improve lives.”

The policies outline the benefit a vibrant civil society brings for economic growth and better public services, pledging that by growing the social investment market, charities and organisations will be given more freedom to develop and become successful.

The policies also highlight the many difficulties for people willing to give their time and skills to volunteering roles which prevents them from being actively involved in charities.

One action being taken is the Government’s Social Incubator Fund which will see £10m dedicated to helping and nurturing social enterprises to grow.

Bethnal Green Venture will launch their Social Innovation Camp, supporting new ventures which have an interest in using technology to improve the health and well-being of the aging UK population and two other key areas of society.

Paul Miller, partner at Bethnal Green Ventures said: “Our aim is to provide investment and support to people who really understand social challenges so that they can build social ventures to improve the lives of millions of people.”

The Government has promised to deal with barriers and bureaucracy identified through the Red Tape Challenge and remove rules and regulations that prevents social investment. The need to grow the market will result in an increase in the amount of money available for social investment, and of volunteers, supporters and partners involved.

These promises and goals describe an innovative approach to social enterprise, and with many key contributors backing the new ventures, time will tell what the impact and benefits will be to the economy and the lives of people needing support in communities throughout the UK.