Social Enterprise
Our work for organisations such as the Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, Dartington Hall Trust and RISE, has given us a high degree of familiarity with the issues affecting the not-for-profit sector across the country. Social Enterprises are businesses or services with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. They often aim to accomplish targets that are social and environmental as well as financial (sometimes referred to as the triple bottom line) and often use blended value business models that combine a revenue-generating business with a social-value-generating structure or component. Through its work with social enterprises over the last five years, Perfect Moment has developed a thorough knowledge and understanding of the social enterprise sector in general, its main policies and networks, and its particular support needs. In addition to being specialist consultants, Perfect Moment staff members have, in their private capacities, experience as trustees of social enterprises. Plymouth Social Enterprise Network (2009)
We helped research the need for setting up a network for social enterprises in Plymouth. We then undertook early stage development work culminating in a launch event in Plymouth in 2009
Regional Infrastructure Social Enterprise (RISE) (2008)
Perfect Moment helped RISE deliver the Capacitybuilders Social Enterprise Programme for the South West region. This work included conducting consultation work with key voluntary and social enterprise sector partners, strategic liaison with the RDA and other regional stakeholders, framing investment priorities and developing a portfolio of projects to go forward for commissioning. Nearly £380,000 has been secured for the region, with a further £140,000 in the pipeline.
Creative Skills (1998-2008)
Perfect Moment has worked since 1998 as project consultants to develop this network of creative practitioners and businesses in Cornwall. The project is now the leading one of its kind in the UK. It is a sector-led initiative supporting 300 practitioners a year with: training needs analysis, a range of accredited and innovative non-accredited sector-specific training, customized accredited management courses, a training bursary scheme for individuals and a fund for company training programmes. To support this work, we have secured over £2 million ESF funding for the consortium since 1999.
Digital Peninsula Network (2000-2003)
We led a successful bid for a £160,000 programme to establish DPN - a unique association of over 100 private sector organisations brought together to promote the key role of ICT in the regeneration of Cornwall. The network has since flourished and attracted significant funds from the RDA and others to deliver a range of services to the ICT sector.
Business Sectors Group Cornwall (2008)
Perfect Moment is helping to develop a network of business sectors in response to EU Convergence opportunities in Cornwall.
Valuing the Voluntary Sector (Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum) (2007)
A research project into the relationship between Cornwall’s Voluntary and Community Sector and the recent EU Objective One programme. The looked in ERDF and ESF funding for the sector in both direct and co-financed streams. Outcomes included an analysis of the contribution the sector made to the programme; identification of barriers which prevented a greater contribution; identification of best practice and recommendations for future involvement of the Voluntary and Community Sector in European Convergence funding programmes. Research methodology included telephone interviews with 350 voluntary sector organizations, face-to-face interviews with 20 key stakeholders, specific case studies and desktop research to identify best practice elsewhere.
EU Convergence Tenders (2007-2008)
Perfect Moment supported Arts Centre Trust in winning over £1 million in tenders from the Learning and Skills Co-financing programmes. Perfect Moment is currently representing a partnership of University College Falmouth, South West Screen and Arts Centre Trust in developing tenders worth over £2 million to deliver business support and advice in Cornwall.
The Impact of EU Objective One Programmes on Cornwall’s Marine Sector for Cornwall Marine Network (2007)
A research project into the impact of Objective One programmes on Cornwall’s Marine sector. The research identified key impacts on skills development and improved business performance in Cornwall’s marine industries. Best practice is identified and recommendations made for maximizing the effectiveness of future funding into the sector.
Counting on Creativity (2006-2007)
A research project to evaluate the cumulative impact of EU Objective One project investments on the development of the Creative Industries sector in Cornwall, highlighting opportunities for future structural fund investment in the sector and producing best practice guidelines that can be shared with other EU regions. Research methodology included telephone interviews with 150 creative industries organizations and businesses, face-to-face interviews with 35 key stakeholders, filmed case studies and desktop research to identify best practice elsewhere.
Fifteen Cornwall (2008)
Perfect Moment undertook an end-of-ESF funding evaluation of this Objective One flagship project. This European ESF multi-funded project was delivered in partnership by Cornwall College and Cornwall Foundation of Promise, plus a range of external referral partners. Fifteen Cornwall aims to inspire, engage and facilitate entry into training and careers within the Hospitality Sector of disadvantaged young people, aged between 16 and 24, providing access to training opportunities and greater employment opportunities by addressing barriers to training participation and supporting training up to NVQ Level 2 across Cornwall’s Objective One 18-targeted wards.
Cornwall Community Skills Partnership (2007)
An end-of-project evaluation on behalf of the Community Skills Partnership for two projects:
• Community Capacity Building
• Community Skills for Life
The two projects were both co-financed by the European Social Fund and Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The evaluation was undertaken during September 2007 by Perfect Moment. Our purpose, as well as reporting the statistical achievement of the projects, was also to record the views and experiences of those who took part in the projects and to draw out the lessons to be learnt. The evaluation was based largely on a series of interviews with delivery partners, participants and project management.
Mount Hawke Skate Park (1999-2006)
Perfect Moment acted as project champion for the UK’s foremost skate park - providing mentoring, business planning and assistance with substantial bids to secure a total of £1 million for a pre-vocational training centre developed to meet the needs of excluded youth. We also secured over £250,000 of ESF funding for the project. The project was widely praised by arts minister Estelle Morris on a visit in early 2004.
Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) (2002-2007)
Perfect Moment helped write the business plan and developed the financial management structure for this charity set up to support residents of social housing in Cornwall. We have a long standing relationship with CN4C and have helped to secure grants worth over £1.3 million from European and other sources for a range of activities including youth work, play training, community development and pathways to employment programmes.
Cornwall Arts Marketing (1999-2006)
Perfect Moment worked with Arts Centre Trust to develop Cornwall Arts Marketing - a project providing marketing support to a partnership of fourteen arts organizations. Perfect Moment acted as project consultants focusing on project management systems, quality assurance and sustainability (1999-2001). Following its initial pilot project, Perfect Moment assisted with the development of a business plan for the second phase. Cornwall Arts Marketing secured in 2002 £2.7m in Objective One funding towards a £6.8 million three-year project. In 2005 Perfect Moment wrote a further successful bid for £1.3 million.