Spark Partners
The Spark idea has been developed by Communities and Local Government and social enterprise champions - TREES Group and Big Issue Invest (part of The Big Issue group).
The Department became interested to promote social enterprise in the delivery of services to homeless people following on from their successful "Places of Change" programme. All the partners believe that the social enterprise model offers a long-term and sustainable solution to homelessness, and that cross-sector partnerships are the best way of fostering this model.
The Department invited the TREES group and The Big Issue to develop the idea of a social enterprise competition. Eastside Consulting was invited to deliver the project having already managed a similar social enterprise programme. Eastside has refined the project so that it includes a package of prize money, loan finance, mentoring and makeovers from employees of corporate partners.
Spark Partners
 The TREES Group
TREES (Training, Regeneration, Education, Employment, Sustainability) Limited is one of the largest social enterprise groups in the Midlands.
It was founded to create employment, training opportunities, local services and wealth in deprived communities across the midlands, while supporting community regeneration throughout the region. The TREES group includes three businesses that operate in a range of commercial and social sectors – from conferences, construction to landscaping and grounds maintenance.
TREES helped to launch Newlife Regeneration Construction, the success of this company enabled the group to focus on developing Highpoint – a conference venue on the outskirts of Leicester city centre and the group’s most recent addition, Braunstone-based landscaping and maintenance firm, Ground Control. The TREES Group also provides interim management solutions, primarily, to the housing association sector and supports or is an integral part of a number of social enterprises including Responsible Futures.
 Big Issue Invest
Big Issue Invest (BII), part of The Big Issue group of companies, is a specialised provider of finance to social enterprises that are finding business solutions that create social and environmental transformation.
BII’s team is made up of a unique combination of social entrepreneurs and financiers, and brings together a wealth of experience, innovation and success. As a social enterprise itself, BII pays any dividends generated up to its parent, The Big Issue, also a social enterprise with a charitable arm, The Big Issue Foundation.
Typical investments include innovative businesses that create jobs for the long-term
unemployed, deliver much needed health services in deprived neighbourhoods and develop
renewable energy considering environmental and economic impacts
.
The best-known investment is undoubtedly the Fifteen Foundation, created by the celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, to train disadvantaged young people for careers in the hospitality industry.
Others include Turning Point, a social care organisation that has developed Connected Care, which involves community members in the design and delivery of health, housing, education and social services and Hackney Community Transport, a London-based bus company which creates job opportunities for the long-term unemployed.
We can offer finance for between £50,000 and £500,000 and can also arrange financing in partnership with other social finance institutions for amounts over £500,000.
 Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government has an extensive remit including Local Government, Regeneration and Housing and Planning. The department is promoting decentralisation and democratic engagement, and giving new powers to councils, communities, neighbourhoods and individuals so they can work together to make peoples’ lives better.
Supported by
 BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. It develops, designs and manages network-enabled service transformation solutions for public sector organisations, helping them to realise the opportunities and address the challenges they face.
Sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges facing organisations in the 21st century. At BT, we believe sustainability has three main elements: environmental, social and economic.
Organisations turn to BT for its unique combination of people, skills and expertise developed over decades of operating complex secure networked systems all over the world.
 PricewaterhouseCoopers
The member firms of the PricewaterhouseCoopers network provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
Unless otherwise indicated, ‘PricewaterhouseCoopers’ refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd.
 Places for People
Places for People is one of the largest property management and development companies in the UK, committed to providing sustainable communities.
It has a strong track record of successful development from multi-million pound master planning projects to urban renewal and new-build developments.
Places for People creates sustainable communities by building homes for sale and rent alongside homes for reduced and part ownership, as well as commercial units, live/work apartments, homes with care and support and nurseries for pre-school children.
It develops new homes that are not only energy efficient and have a limited effect on the environment, but which are also appealing to the people who live in them.
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