About Us

OUR VISION

For North Northamptonshire to become a thriving hub of social entrepreneurship – bringing financial, social and environmental prosperity to our area.


OUR MISSION

To connect, support and promote social enterprises across North Northamptonshire.

OUR MAIN AIMS

To CONNECT local social enterprises with each other as well as with local leaders, influencers and other partners to increase collaborations, funding opportunities and partnership projects.

  • Bringing together local social enterprises for networking, showcasing and training opportunities.
  • Establishing strong relationships and good awareness of local social enterprises with councillors and officers across different functions at North Northamptonshire Council.
  • Ensuring the voice of local social enterprises is represented and heard where it matters.

To SUPPORT social enterprises at all stages by providing information, securing funding and resource opportunities and directing them to further sources of support by:

  • Identifying sources of support for local social enterprises and promoting them on our website, enews and in our social media.
  • Collaborating with local business support networks to share information.
  • Applying for funding to provide training and other opportunities to enable local social enterprises to flourish.

Our History:

The North Northants Social Enterprise Network (NNSE) was established in November 2020 by Alison Holland, a passionate advocate for social enterprises and founder of Brightwayz, a Kettering-based social enterprise launched in 2004. Alison’s experience in running Brightwayz led her to recognize a pressing need for a collaborative network that would ensure local social enterprises are understood, valued, and properly supported in their efforts to address the critical challenges of our time—whether economic, environmental, or social.

NNSE was created with the goal of uniting social enterprises across the region, helping them grow, thrive, and be recognized as essential partners in shaping a better future. Our focus is on fostering a collaborative environment where social enterprises can share resources, knowledge, and expertise, while working together to address both local and global challenges.

Since our founding, we have grown into a dynamic network with 35 members and a strong organizational framework, supported by our own constitution. Our management committee consists of 9 dedicated members, each playing a vital role in steering our collective vision forward.

NNSE now covers the entire North Northamptonshire unitary authority, including Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Oundle, Thrapston, East Northants, and the A6 towns of Rothwell and Desborough, along with surrounding villages. We warmly welcome any social enterprise from across North Northamptonshire to join our network, as we believe that together, we are stronger.

Our mission is simple but profound: to ensure that social enterprises in North Northamptonshire are better understood, valued, and supported so they can continue to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. Whether you are a long-standing social enterprise or just starting out, NNSE is here to support your journey. Join us as we work together to create lasting positive change.

We welcome any social enterprises from anywhere in North Northants who find us and wish to join our network.



Company Information

Company name: North Northants Social Enterprise Network

Registered address: The Business Exchange, Rockingham Road, Kettering, Northants, NN16 8JX.

Company limited by guarantee without share capital, 10 March 2004. Company registration: 5069325 England


Copyright

Copyright 2023© North Northants Social Enterprise Network. All rights reserved.


Other Legal Bits and Policies