How we help
We provide practical advice, support and training to help communities establish and run successful community businesses with long-term survival rates.
Plunkett defines a community business as being locally rooted, trading for the benefit of the local area, and as being accountable to the community and having broad community impact.
Groups and organisations seeking support from Plunkett can access:
- Helpline support (Monday – Friday) on 01993 810730
Free one-to-one support from Plunkett Advisers
Advice and guidance relating to legal structures including assistance with establishing a Community Benefit Society with Plunkett Foundation Model Rules
Access to small/large scale learning, events and training
Online networking opportunities
Bespoke resources and templates
Enhanced support for Plunkett Community Business members
If you are considering setting up a community-owned business, or are involved in an established community business but need advice, please contact us to see how we can help. To be eligible for Plunkett support you will need to be able to demonstrate how your project will impact your local community and how you are involving local residents in your activities, but we will talk you through the process.
With the support of external funders we are able to offer additional support to community businesses through the following projects
The Hopkins Plunkett Communities Scheme is inviting community businesses across the East of England to apply for grants of up to £1,000, and to access free support and expertise on how to adapt their business so they can survive and thrive. This can be on a range of matters including governance guidance, cash flow advice and business planning, volunteer recruitment and management, accessing funding and navigating government support schemes.
Want to take ownership of your local pub and run it for the benefit of the community? Need help getting it into community hands?
The More than a Pub programme, funded by Power to Change, provides business development support and funding to enable the community control of pubs in both rural and urban communities across England. If you would like to find out more about the MTAP bursaries of up to £2,500 for business start-up costs, or £100,000 loan and grant packages (for new community pub groups only) then please email diane.cameron@plunkett.co.uk. Please note, these funds are now very low and might have been allocated, if this happens you will be placed on a waiting list and invited to apply if funds become available.
Adviser support, online training/events, resources and Zoom Chats will still be available until March 2021 or until the funding has been committed.
Find out more about the More Than A Pub programme