First Social Enterprise Summer School for Leaders a Resounding Success

The first Social Enterprise Summer School for Leaders, which ran from the 7th to the 9th of July can be considered a roaring success by all of those involved.

Designed by COSMIC as part of the Lively Leadership project, and funded by Capacity Builders, leaders from Social Enterprises as diverse as Fifteen Cornwall, 2nd Chance CIC and the Real Ideas Organisation came together over three days to participate in an innovative programme of workshops, visits and networking, covering topics such as Leadership in Tough Times, Authentic Networking, Attracting the Ethical Consumer and High Impact Communications, as well as listening to an inspirational after dinner speech from Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition.

Held in the glorious Somerset countryside at The Cleeve Hotel just outside of Wellington, delegates made the most of the great weather and facilities, and their comments when asked “What was the most memorable part of the summer school?” reflected that….

· All workshops were great – the opportunity to immerse myself in such a diverse range of people and ideas for 3 days was a hugely positive experience

· Having time to communicate about the key purpose of our organisation was refreshing and stimulating

· Mature like-minded people, finding a space for reflection, sharing, caring and learning

· Fantastic, informative. I have come away with a head full of questions due to the great delivery

· I have found that all the workshops attended have been amazingly useful

· The networking and workshops – they engaged the group, challenged thinking and gave us leaders the rare opportunity to relax and have fun

· Meeting other like-minded individuals and creating new business relationships

· Time to reflect on where we are as a CIC, along with understanding how much development can be at one place – my mind is racing

· Coming away with some really practical ideas around marketing and using Social Media, at just the right time for our CIC

The event proved to be so popular that planning has started for next year’s event. To register your interest email bridget@cosmic.org.uk to make sure that you don’t miss out.