update on Birmingham enterprise for all

Birmingham enterprise for all took place on 27th June 2006 at

Birmingham enterprise for all in pictures

Setting the agenda for Birmingham	Working on Social Enterprise	Getting your point across	How can we make it happen?
Andrew Robinson for the Royal Bank of Scotland	Setting priorities for Birmingham	Comments in the closing circle	Enjoying the botanical gardens

Birmingham enterprise for all in words

I really enjoyed today, the best thing for me was to chat on neutral ground, it hasn’t just been about asking for money but listening to each other.

It's been a good day, Social Enterprise, the whole thing has bloomed.  Who funds what? Where does Social Enterprise play its part? We need to bring together partners to say the same thing and have policies to address Social Enterprise in all it’s forms and talk about where it can play its part and the funding needed.

It's been an interesting day, to start with a topic and talk about other things, it was interesting how the same things came out from different starting points, it's been interesting talking to people outside the formal settings and good that people have been able to talk to people as individuals.

I really enjoyed the day and the encouragement to use my feet.

It's been a very, very useful day, informal networks and how we need to change to procure from the third sector.

The informality has been very helpful and not being too worried about organisational boundaries.

I've had a very enjoyable day listening to people and Andrew's stories from here and abroad. I think we have the priorities but not the vision of what's going to happen in the future and how will we get there? And what small steps to we need to take towards this?

I went to the Open Space here in Birmingham 3 years ago, I like what can be taken forward in actions together. The same Social Enterprise was the fastest growing social enterprise for 2 years running. There are still really big challenges but lots going on. The Social Enterprises conference up North was funded by the LSE.

I was a little nervous at the beginning of the day and scared by the blank agenda, but in the end it was a really good day.

It's been quite encouraging to realise the amount of common purpose despite differing backgrounds and people are still here. I'm sorry I missed the morning but senior people from our organisation were here.

I enjoyed the day and wonder what we can do now, not more vision and checking but what we are actually going to do; people do want to see things happen. There are differing speeds and we need a better way to capture information and people.

This was described to me as whacky – the striking thing was that there are Social Enterprises in our midst that we don't recognise, for example the Sikh community which fulfil needs. We look to new things when there are groups there already saying I can make it happen. Engaging with statutory bodies can put people off.

The thing about today that struck me was the passion and belief that Social Enterprise delivers results – it makes business sense. There is a desperate need for a strategic overview, how do we provide support for Social Enterprise across the city? But there are things we can do now. Today has clarified my thoughts and strengthened my resolve, we lost a Social Enterprise that was working for old people, we need to be clear about the things the district can do to support others.

It's been really good, I arrived late but it was really good and I learnt a lot today. As a trainer the Open Space was brilliant, it's the only event I have ever been in when people didn't fall on the food when it arrived, in fact they kept going for a full half and hour after it arrived!

I wasn't meant to be here but I'm really pleased I came, I really enjoyed the day. I work with districts and community organisations and this is another lever which I will take back to my organisation.

I enjoyed the Open Space format and I enjoyed all the practical actions.

I enjoyed the day and it being all about social enterprise – being a small community organisation. I liked the Open Space idea.

I've had a good day, it's been rewarding.

These events around the country are increasing what we are learning about the places markets don't reach. It helps us understand emmerging markets, the Open Space events are a safe space and are leading to a critical mass of evidence that we didn't know. We need to develop new creative mechanisms to create an environment where self interest delivers what social justice requires.
 

NB The NHS is starting a social enterprise risk capital fund which will be start up money in 2007. There will be a pre paid card for the public to choose and pay for there own care.