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January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
April 2025
NEWS!!
Change – of structure – NNSE is now a CIC!!!
In line with our constitution and further to our general meeting which took place on the 23rd April 2025, we have made the following changes to the governance structure for NNSE. Members voted unanimously for changes.
North Northants Social Enterprise network has now dissolved as an unincorporated association and will transfer any assets* to the newly incorporated North Northants Social Enterprise CIC.
*including website, social media accounts and remaining financial reserves currently held on behalf of NNSE by Safe Kids Walking Ltd (trading as Brightwayz).
This is an exciting time for NNSE and we look forward to moving forward as a CIC.
Funding Fair for North Northants not-for-profits unveiled as new organisation Aspire NN ‘hits the ground running’ – January 2025
Securing funding will now be much easier for local not-for-profits thanks to a series of free online and face to face workshops and presentations as part of a Funding Fair set to take place this February and March.
These events are being organised by new partnership organisation Aspire NN – a collaboration of six charities and social enterprises in North Northamptonshire – which has been made possible thanks to recent funding from North Northamptonshire Council.
Kate Williams, Chief Executive of Groundwork Northants, said: ‘We want to hit the ground running with Aspire NN so we can provide the support that our voluntary sector really needs and deserve. Our Funding Fair will provide funding information, advice and support for any local organisations that wish to benefit. This will enable local groups to apply for and secure the funding they need to run activities as well as purchase equipment which benefit the community.”
The Aspire NN Funding Fair will consist of a mix of online events and in-person workshops and presentations at different venues across the north of the county. Advisors from a wide range of funding bodies including the National Lottery, Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Lloyds Bank will be taking part.
Led by Groundwork Northamptonshire the other Aspire NN partners are Serve, Volunteer Action, Northamptonshire ACRE, Support Northants and the North Northants Social Enterprise Network. This is a three-year project designed to support the local voluntary sector.
In addition to organising an annual Funding Fair Aspire NN will provide organisational support such as start up guidance for social enterprises and community groups, help for charities wishing to increase their earnings potential, volunteer recruitment advice and much more.
The 2025 Aspire NN Funding Fair events programme includes:
• Tuesday, 4th February 11am-12pm: Northamptonshire Community Foundation Funding
• Thursday, 6th February 7pm-8pm: Trustee responsibilities and fundraising
• Tuesday, 11th February 11am-12pm: Charity Bank
• Thursday, 13th February 11am-12pm: Different funding and how to apply, led by Lloyds Bank Foundation
• Tuesday, 25th February 2pm-3pm & 7pm-8pm: Hints and tips on writing a good application, led by Northamptonshire Community Foundation
• Wednesday, 26th February 2pm-3pm: Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund and NN Sustainable Food network, led by NACRE Village Halls Advice
• Thursday, 27th February 11am-12pm: Co-op Funding in the Community
For more information about these events and the full programme and to book a free place visit: https://aspirenn.org.uk/funding-fair-2025/
New collaboration launches between council and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector – December 2024
Groundwork Northamptonshire has been confirmed as the lead provider for a new collaboration – Aspire NN – between North Northamptonshire Council and the voluntary sector. The new contract will provide infrastructure support to the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across North Northants.
The VCSE sector provides valuable support to people across North Northamptonshire and in February 2024, Executive approved the North Northamptonshire Council Communities Strategy 2024-2027 and announced a £600,000 investment into VCSE Infrastructure across North Northamptonshire over a three-year period.
Following a robust procurement process, Groundwork Northamptonshire have been appointed as the lead provider in a new VCSE collaboration for North Northamptonshire.
Groundwork Northamptonshire will now work alongside five other organisations who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to deliver support to community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises across North Northamptonshire.
The collaborative leadership between Groundwork and five other key partners based in North Northamptonshire include Support Northamptonshire, Volunteer Action, North Northants Social Enterprise Network, Serve and Northamptonshire Acre.
Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
Residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we have always worked closely with the partners and the voluntary sector to ensure everyone has the best quality of life possible. It is hoped that this new collaboration will further grow on the work that has already been started across North Northants – creating a different and refreshed offer that is rooted in sustainability, trust, need and makes a genuine impact.
Kate Williams from Groundwork Northamptonshire
Groundwork Northamptonshire are thrilled with this decision, we have worked hard to build a robust partnership that will support strong, dynamic and sustainable change for the VCSE sector. Now, more than ever, the key roles that the VCSE play are crucial, but we recognize and understand the vulnerabilities and strains the sector faces, this partnership is going to work hard to offer genuine support and development for the sector over the next three years.
The VCSE Infrastructure contract will run for three years with the option for a further one-year extensions subject to funding being available.
Visit the Aspire NN website for access to a wide range of resources for VCSE organisations across North Northamptonshire or contact Groundwork Northamptonshire on 01536 526453 to chat about what support they can offer.
NNSE start working with Alchemy VA – February 2024
Our big news here at NNSE is we now have admin and training help for our network for the next year… and hopefully longer.
We are really pleased to welcome Rachel Eccles and Sarah Damani from Alchemy VA who will be providing much-needed support. This will help us build our network and ensure it is answering the needs of local social enterprises.
This boost is thanks to funding from North Northamptonshire Council’s Community Support Funding as part of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Day to day, Rachel will be managing our social media accounts, updating our NNSE website, sending out our regular e-news and basically helping to connect, promote and support social enterprises in the county. Sarah will be supporting us with workshops on areas requested by members such as AI and funding strategy.
One of their first tasks will be to manage the changeover from NNSE being under the wing of Brightwayz social enterprise and to be set up as an independent community organisation.
All current NNSE members will have received an invitation to the meeting on Wednesday 10 April when this will be done – including elections for key roles on the management committee.
If you are a member please look out for this information and get in touch if you would like to be involved in the management committee or stand for election for one of the key roles.
New Governance and Committee – April 2024
The sun streamed through the window as we sat in Kino Lounge for our first NNSE committee meeting this morning. We are really keen to get things organised, policies in place and decisions made so we, the other NNSE members and all our social enterprises can start to benefit from our peer network.
Our new committee members were elected at our recent founding meeting and come from local social enterprises across a wide range of sectors. (Add list of all committee members here and the SEs they rep plus mention Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer roles)
With a packed agenda and some good Kino coffee two hours flew by but we covered a lot. This included some workshop plans for the year, drafting some dates for network events and a big showcase celebration of all our local social enterprises in November.
There was a lot of interest in NNSE reps taking turns to showcase us as a group as well as highlighting Individual SE opportunities such as at job fairs.
Our ‘friends of NNSE’ concept was discussed and agreed – even if you are not a social enterprise you can be a ‘friend’ as an organisation or an individual – more coming on that soon.
So it’s great that we are making this progress to have good governance and structure with a great team of experienced, passionate local social entrepreneurs – let’s get going!
Member News
Northamptonshire’s Shire Sounds Radio Rebrands to Northants 1
Shire Sounds Radio, a local radio staple in North Northamptonshire, proudly announces “Northants 1” arriving May 27th 2024. With this transformation comes a fresh identity and an unwavering commitment to being Northamptonshire’s own local hit music radio station.
The rebrand signifies a key commitment to local broadcasting, and its dedication to delivering top-tier local entertainment, community representation and engagement. With an emphasis on playing Hit Music for Northamptonshire, Northants 1 promises to continue providing quality programming made for its growing local audience.
Our key commitments remain in line with what we have always believed in. Northants 1 is set to continue the pioneering training initiative, now known as the Northants 1 Academy. This ground-breaking program offers secondary school students from across Northamptonshire a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of radio broadcasting. Over a 12-week training course, aspiring young broadcasters receive comprehensive instruction in the fundamentals of radio production, along with a look into the wider media industry, nurturing the next generation of talent in the industry.
Northants 1 is arriving, fresh with a revamped Weekday lineup, with presenters you already know and love. Charlie Stone wakes up Northamptonshire from 7am with the all-new Northants 1 Breakfast, with Megan Arnold carrying us all through the workday from 11am and the new Northants 1 Homerun with Andrew Haslam from 3pm, including our beloved hour of “Throwbacks at Three”. The trio promise to entertain, inform and get you dancing with a mix of chart-topping hits and some tunes you used to love!
The station’s music selection reflects its diverse audience, blending contemporary chart-toppers with iconic throwbacks spanning back to the 90s. From pop anthems to indie gems and alternative hits, Northants 1 offers a curated musical experience that resonates with all tastes. Additionally, evenings on Northants 1 will feature a broader range of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Rounding off every weekend, Northants 1 welcomes Chris Brooks back to the radio in Northamptonshire, with the biggest songs on the radio right now, on the UK Hot 40! Our brand-new chart show, Sundays from 4pm. With his infectious energy and unparalleled expertise, Chris promises to deliver an electrifying countdown experience that keeps you hooked every week.
Behind the scenes, Northants 1 is run by a dedicatedso team of local volunteers determined to bring a local voice back to the radio in Northamptonshire. As part of this Northants 1 would love to work with you. The station is offering pre-launch discounts for all local businesses who support Northants 1. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to seniorteam@northants1.co.uk for advertising and sponsorship enquiries.
Northants 1 is arriving, Monday 27th May at 7am.
About Northants 1:
Northants 1 is Northamptonshire’s premier radio station, dedicated to serving the local community with quality programming and engaging content. With a focus on hit music, diverse genres, and empowering young talent through the Northants 1 Academy, Northants 1 is committed to being the ultimate destination for radio enthusiasts across Northamptonshire. Follow Northants 1 on @Northants1Radio for the latest updates and announcements.
