Partner Statements
Strategic Partners
- Suffolk SSP
Local Strategic Partners
- Babergh East
- Mid Suffolk
- One Ipswich
- Suffolk Coastal
- Waveney
- West Suffolk
Local Infrastructure Partners
- BCT
- ICVS
- MAP
- SCRN
- WCF
- WSCVO
Other Suffolk Partners
- Framlingham Vol Centre
- SAVO
- SENS
- SIFRE
- Suffolk ACRE
- Suffolk Foundation
- Suffolk MIND
- Suffolk Volunteering Fed
- Young Suffolk
PARTNER STATEMENTS - SENS (Social Enterprise Network Suffolk)
The functions of SENS
SENS is the trade association for social enterprises in Suffolk - with a strong focus on social enterprises which are operationally based, exclusively or predominantly, in Suffolk.
SENS is part of the Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) regional network and is both a membership organisation and a strategy and policy organisation. SENS's primary aim is to embed social enterprise firmly into the economic framework of Suffolk, and to show measurable and significant social and economic impact. At SENS our vision is a prosperous and vibrant social enterprise sector in Suffolk.
Objects of the Group are as follows:
- To develop trading opportunities for members.
- To support and promote social enterprise in Suffolk.
- To provide information, training and education services in relation to social enterprise.
What representation does SENS provide and how does it make a difference to the VCS?
SENS is the county mouthpiece for the social enterprise movement linking national, regional and local social enterprise strategies and interpreting and promoting these appropriately to practitioners in the county. SENS also advises and influences SEEE and other local policy makers/stakeholders on policy development.
SENS exists to build and strengthen the platform for a thriving social enterprise movement to ensure the growth and increase of the diversity, prosperity and sustainability of the social enterprise sector and partners in Suffolk. SENS aims to be the primary source of knowledge & information about social enterprise in Suffolk. After an extensive consultation period and inputs from large and small social enterprises and infrastructure/support enterprises, SENS has recently produced a Strategy for Promoting Social Enterprise in Suffolk. In the coming year, the SENS management committee will seek opportunities to hold meetings with social enterprises in Suffolk to flesh out some action plans with measurable objectives.
What strategic partnerships does SENS sit on?
The Economic Prosperity Board of the SSP Delivery Partnership and One Voice Suffolk, reflecting our embryonic status. This obviously needs to be rectified in the coming year following the Boundary Committee review.
How does SENS feed information back to the VCS sector?
Advice and information:
SENs both provides directly, by means of our interactive website, newsletters and workshops and indirectly by directing enquiries to the most suitable source, as appropriate.
Organisational support:
Through its membership SENS, and in conjunction with bodies such as Business Link, is able to provide one-to-one business support.
Effective communication conduit that is efficient, timely and responsive:
Most of SENS current communications with members and potential members is online, via timely newsletters and alerts as well as an interactive website which is updated weekly.
Representation and influence / Two way communication with VCS and public sector:
SENS has dialogue and attends meetings with SEEE, SCC, SAVO and others, as appropriate, to further our aims.
How can people get more involved in representation in SENS' area?
The SENS management committee comprises of volunteer SENS members who want to help the general aim of social enterprise in Suffolk. Meetings are as and when needed throughout the year and it’s a good opportunity to review the big picture with other like-minded people and decide how SENS can support its members on the ground. These meetings are also of a social nature and take place around the county, taking as much opportunity to meet at members’ own locations to raise general mutual awareness and understanding. If you would like to discuss further, please contact us via our website: