Insider Media Limited

Three Birmingham business 'ambassadors' have struck up a partnership with Social Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM). Steve Packer, Paul Hanna and members of staff from Jobcentre Plus are working with the organisation and will act as advocates within their sectors.

Packer, from Park View Business and Enterprise School; Birmingham Chamber’s Paul Hanna and Jobcentre Plus staff said they wanted to “increase their understanding” of social enterprise.

SEWM said that it hoped the diversity of the 'ambassadors' would help to raise awareness of the businesses involved in social enterprise amongs young people.

Melanie Mills, business services assessor at SEWM, said: “There has never been a better time for social enterprise to build on its recent growth and we believe the region is in a great position to do so and tap into the government’s desire to embrace the ‘big society’.

“We’ve identified three key areas that we wanted to influence: education, the chambers of commerce and Jobcentre Plus - the latter being a key influencer in helping the unemployed think about social enterprise as a potential opportunity.

“The sector currently employs more than 155,000 people and generates £5.6bn to the West Midlands economy and these figures are growing by the day.”

The ambassadors will also be responsible for tracking established or new social enterprises that are being run across their areas of interest.