1 March 2021
Sixteen social entrepreneurs who embarked on the School for Social Entrepreneurs’ (SSE) Start Up Plus programme in June 2020, in partnership with wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, have successfully graduated.
Emily Watson
The cohort completed all the requirements of the six-month programme (June-December 2020) amidst the confines of Covid-19 restrictions and national lockdowns. Among them is Tandridge-based (Surrey) social entrepreneur Emily Watson, who established Restore Counselling Network (Restore CN – http://restorecounsellingnetwork.co.uk) to address the local community’s mental health needs. Her social enterprise is a franchise model that establishes and supports counselling centres in response to the need for professional, affordable and easily accessible services for those who are struggling with their mental health.
Over the last six months Restore CN has doubled the size of its peer support group network for counselling centre managers and has reached more franchisees for counselling centre set-ups. A major achievement for Emily and her team has been the interest from a counselling influencer to potentially partner with Restore CN.
Speaking about her experiences of establishing a social enterprise, Emily Watson says: “The SSE programme helped me and my business massively. The funding gave us huge scope to work with, but the networking and support received was just as advantageous.
“Whilst Covid-19 has greatly impacted the mental health field meaning the need for affordable and accessible counselling centres has grown, it has also hugely impacted how my business partner and I devote time and energy to the business. We are hoping 2021 will turn this around because we now have more people onboard and we have adapted the business to meet current needs.”
Richard Buxton, group people and sustainability director, Brewin Dolphin, said: “In what has been a very challenging and unprecedented time for many, it is heartening to see how these 16 social entrepreneurs have applied passion and purpose to achieve their goals. They all have bright futures ahead of them as the changemakers of tomorrow. We always knew supporting the SSE’s Start Up Plus programme would be a worthwhile initiative, and we are equally inspired and humbled by what the cohort has achieved.”
Alistair Wilson, CEO, School for Social Entrepreneurs, said: It’s been a turbulent year for our students, who have made incredible progress developing their social enterprises despite the chaotic environment. I’m always inspired to see them rise to the challenge, respond to the needs of their communities, and in doing so, build the networks and skills to help our country build back better. I can’t wait to see the social and environmental impact they go on to make and hope they continue to use each other as a support network in the years to come.”
About the SSE’s Start Up Plus programme
In January 2020 wealth manager Brewin Dolphin announced its partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs to work with the charity to attract social entrepreneurs from around the UK. With the UK going into lockdown as a result of the pandemic, the cohort of 16 were chosen through a virtual selection process, comprising assessment sessions and interviews. The cohort undertook a virtual six-month learning programme (June-December 2020) to develop their entrepreneurial skills and to learn how to build stronger trading skills to achieve lasting impact.
The range of social enterprises are diverse, covering arts-based initiatives, food enterprises helping those living below the poverty line, mental health schemes and environmental projects.
Brewin Dolphin employees from many of its 34 regional offices have been involved throughout the programme by offering the 16 social entrepreneurs virtual mentoring and networking sessions.
PRESS INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
Richard Janes richard.janes@brewin.co.uk / Tel. +44 (0) 20 3201 3343
Siân Robertson: Sian.Robertson@brewin.co.uk / Tel: (0) 20 3201 3026
Anita Turland: anita.turland@brewin.co.uk / Tel: (0) 20 3201 4263
Payal Nair payal.nair@brewin.co.uk / Tel: +44 (0) 20 3201 3342
NOTES TO EDITORS
Disclaimers:
- The value of investments can fall and you may get back less than you invested
- The opinions expressed in this document are not necessarily the views held throughout Brewin Dolphin Ltd.
- Brewin Dolphin is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register reference number 124444)
About Brewin Dolphin
Brewin Dolphin is a UK FTSE 250 provider of discretionary wealth management. With £51.4* billion in total funds, it offers award-winning personalised wealth management services that meet the varied needs of our clients including individuals, charities and corporates.
We give clients security and wellbeing by helping them to protect and grow their wealth, in order to enrich their lives by achieving their goals and aspirations. Our services range from bespoke, discretionary investment management to retirement planning and tax-efficient investing. Our focus on discretionary investment management has led to significant growth in client funds and we now manage £44.6* billion on a discretionary basis.
Our intermediary business manages £15.8* billion of assets for over 1,700 advice firms either on a discretionary basis or via our Managed Portfolio Service.
In line with the premium we place on personal relationships, we’ve built a network of 34 offices across the UK, Jersey and Dublin, staffed by qualified investment managers and financial planners. We are committed to the most exacting standards of client service, with long-term thinking and absolute focus on our clients’ needs at the core.
For more information, visit: www.brewin.co.uk
*as at 31st December 2020
About SSE
The School for Social Entrepreneurs helps 1,000 people a year develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. It runs courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. SSE is not a traditional school, learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible. The school supports people in other ways too, such as with funding and mentoring. Lord Michael Young founded SSE in 1997, and it’s grown to a network of schools across the UK, Canada and India. Together, SSE is changing lives and transforming communities. For more information, visit: www.the-sse.org/