Council is calling on community members that have an idea for a business venture, which will make a difference to our community, to attend an information session for this year’s Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program.

Council’s Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the annual Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program supports the development of innovative new enterprise models within the region and helps to turn community focused business ideas into a reality.

“The free program, which has been running since 2012, provides a step-by-step guide to research, plan, seek funding and establish a social enterprise that benefits our community – whether it be social, environmental or creative,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This year’s development program will be delivered in a partnership between Council, Business Centre and Community Compass as a series of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions from April to July 2021.

“I’m pleased to hear of the successes that previous participants have had since undertaking the program and the positive contributions their social enterprise ventures have made to the Central Coast community. I encourage interested locals to register for the information session in March and see what’s possible!” 

Sue Bradley, concept founder of SWAMP (Sustainable Wetlands Agriculture Makers Project) Central Coast said that participating in Council’s Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program in 2020 provided the knowledge and confidence to bring her social enterprise idea into fruition.

“In addition to the mentoring and support, the program provided a space for networking and connecting with like-minded social entrepreneurs. Through these conversations I was able to locate a site on crown land for SWAMP Central Coast which is a sustainable community garden. 

Community members can come to learn and connect around the growing of food and other educational and training workshops.  These include topics such as propagation, growing from seed, establishing no dig gardens, foodie nature playgroups, composting, growing herbs for medicine and facilitation of groups connecting to land and nature.”

“This is a time where our community coming together is needed so much more than ever before.  SWAMP is a place of diversity and acceptance. A place for the Central Coast community to connect and discover the importance of growing food with sustainable methods and respect to the land and environment.”

“The Launch Pad program has been key to the start-up success of SWAMP’s community garden project and education and training programs.  It has given me the confidence to establish lasting relationships with community organisations, to form partnership programs and to reach out to local MP’s, government and private organisations as well as Council.  The continued mentoring after the program was to me one of the most helpful resources.  I highly recommend this program to anyone wishing to bring their social enterprise ideas to life.”

Lyndi Leggett, founder of The Scuba Gym was also a participant in last year’s social enterprise program and runs unique underwater therapy sessions for people living with a disability.

Ms Leggett said “I definitely benefited from the connections I made from the program, and the tutors provided superb advice.  I am still working with some of them in a mentoring capacity as I continue to grow this business.  I would definitely recommend this program to social entrepreneurs that are committed to getting results.”

Social Enterprise Launch Pad Information Session

An online information session will run Wednesday 10 March.

To register for this event email Greg Combes at Central Coast Council Gregory.Combes@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au before 5 March.

For more information on this program search for ‘social enterprise’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au