The programme sits at the heart of Lloyds Banking Group’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan 2017 to help people, businesses and communities across the UK by supporting skills and training and will support 2,350 social entrepreneurs by 2020.
By empowering entrepreneurs to start up and grow businesses which tackle some of the most difficult social issues within their communities, Lloyds Banking Group is delivering on its ambition to help Britain prosper and accelerate positive economic and social development across the UK. Launched in 2012, the programme has supported over 1,300 entrepreneurs to start and grow social businesses to date, creating 7,000 jobs and 1.1million beneficiaries. The programme provides entrepreneurs with ideas for social change with financial support (grants of up to £10,000), a comprehensive learning programme with School for Social Entrepreneurs and a dedicated business mentor from Lloyds Banking Group.
Paula Rogers, Head of Social Enterprise at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Our partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs consolidates Lloyds Banking Group’s commitment to social entrepreneurs and our belief that economic and social prosperity can be achieved through supporting people and business within communities. We are proud to continue leading the way in helping Britain prosper by supporting entrepreneurs to start and grow social businesses”.
Alastair Wilson, CEO of School for Social Entrepreneurs said: “School for Social Entrepreneurs’ partnership with Lloyds Banking Group truly enables us to deliver on our enduring vision to reach inspired people with the desire to solve problems first-hand within their communities. The pioneering Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs and jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund, has created thousands of jobs and benefited over a million beneficiaries. We look forward to continuing our work together to support people to drive positive social change in communities across the UK”.
James Harcourt, Grant Making Director for England, Big Lottery Fund said: “Thanks to National Lottery players we have been able to continue our support for School for Social Entrepreneurs in delivering the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme. Collaborations like this allow us to maximise the impact of our funding, and the entrepreneurial aspect of the programme aligns with our commitment to putting people in the lead and having a positive impact in communities across England.”
