Would you like to be part of an exclusive peer group of like-minded Cumbrian organisations?

This 6 month programme is delivered on behalf of Cumbria LEP. The programme will cover 6-7 action learning sets and will be held online, with sessions of around 2 to 2.5 hours.  The sessions will be facilitated by experienced professionals and include an additional 3.5 hours 1-2-1 support.

There is no charge as it is fully funded for qualifying organisations (need to have been established for more than a year, have 5 or more employees/associates and turnover in excess of £100,000).

If 11 social enterprises joined, we could set up an exclusive peer group of like-minded Cumbrian organisations and use this as a catalyst for further action learning peer groups across Cumbria’s social enterprise sector.

Benefits of Action Learning Groups for Cumbria Social Enterprises

It is important to understand why social enterprises are different to other organisations, ie. businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment.

Why action learning groups will help leaders of social enterprises

With many years experience working with action learning groups we know these are a genius problem solving environment that create opportunity. They are a safe confidential space where no one is allowed to tell you what to do. Action Learning Groups are without doubt the best tool to take problems into opportunities in your organisation. The groups develop brilliant leadership skills and every session enables action within the organisations.

Leaders of social enterprises are expected to work on the opportunities available to improve their business so that they can either tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances or the environment. They are also expected to meet the challenges brought about by the day to day running of any organisation. As with many leadership roles there is a danger that leaders only have time to work in the organisation and don’t have enough time to work on the long-term opportunities and challenges that enterprises face.

Action Learning Groups give leaders the space to work on their organisations. They create a space where a small group of leaders can support each other through group mentoring. The group uses its collective knowledge to allow individual leaders to develop their own solution to any opportunities or issues their enterprise is facing.

The group facilitator encourages the development of a group of trusted peers who will understand, empathise, and support each other at moments where an individual needs trusted input from outside of their organisation.

Problems are Solutions waiting to be happen

 

Why Thomas Jardine & Co and Action Learning Groups

We have many years’ experience in action learning. Many of our groups have included social enterprises and business leaders with strong social values. We understand the issues and opportunities that social enterprises face because we have worked closely with social enterprises outside of action learning sets. To support our work, we also work closely with another action learning facilitator who brings many years’ experience with social enterprises.

Our collective experience includes:

Action Learning Specific:

  • Director of LEAD at Lancaster University (responsible for 9-month programme including facilitating a series of Action Learning Sets, this included social enterprises and charities)
  • Develop and deliver the Lancaster University Family Business Programme (responsible for development and facilitation of two cohorts of family business in a programme based around a series of action learning sets…many of these firms balanced economic and social gain)
  • Develop and deliver Productivity through People Program for Lancaster University (deliver whole programme and facilitate 2 of the 4 cohorts of Action Learning Sets)
  • Develop Family Business Action Learning Sets for Be the Business (develop programme and train the facilitators for the action learning sets across the country)
  • Facilitate cohorts for University of Cumbria’s LEAD Programme (this included social enterprises)
  • Facilitate a ‘fish bowl’ at the family Business Conference
  • Deliver and facilitate two cohorts of action learning sets For Cumbria LEP as part of the BEIS 2020 Peer Network Programme (this included social enterprises)

Social Enterprise Awareness

We have experience of working with the following organisations:

  • Future strategy for Prism Arts
  • Support for Theatre by the Lake
  • Strategy for Carlisle Culture
  • Support for The Tribe in Carlisle
  • Carlisle Food City

For more details or questions
Contact Sue Gilbertson at CSEP on 07817 609302 or email info@secumbria.org.uk