41 students from School for Social Entrepreneurs North West have graduated from the 2016/17 cohort of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs and jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund, at a ceremony held at Blackburne House in Liverpool.
The entrepreneurs have each received support from the year-long programme to start and grow a social business to help solve some of the most pressing social issues within their communities. The programme provides a comprehensive learning programme with School for Social Entrepreneurs North West, financial support (grants of up to £15,000), and a Lloyds Banking Group business mentor.
The programme sits at the heart of Lloyds Banking Group’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan 2017 to help people, businesses and communities across the UK by supporting skills and training and will support 2,350 social entrepreneurs by 2020.
Paula Rogers, head of Social Enterprise at Lloyds Banking Group said, “We are thrilled to see another group of students graduate from the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs and jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund, for the fifth year running. The programme is making a real difference to these entrepreneurs, by supporting them and their business which increases their social impact. Supporting entrepreneurs to address social problems in their community first-hand, is another example of how Lloyds Banking Group is delivering on its commitment to help Britain prosper”.
Lisa Mairah, Head of SSE North West said, “Our students have made significant progress over the course of this year and it has been so inspiring to see their ideas flourish into social enterprises tackling prevalent issues within communities. With the support of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs and jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund, I can’t wait to see them continue to develop their businesses and positive impact in our society”