Social Enterprise Start-up & Expansion Fund

Our Social Enterprise Start-Up & Expansion Fund provides resources to social enterprises to help them at critical stages in their development.

How does it work?

The fund offers £250 to each social enterprise in the form of a credit on your Phone Co-op bills. The money can be used to pay for any telecoms products or services provided by us, including fixed line and mobile telecoms, broadband, web hosting, and phone systems.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, your social enterprise must be either a new business customer of The Phone Co-op, or taking extra services as a result of expansion, and must agree to use our services for two years.

In addition, if your business has been advised by a recognised social enterprise business advice agency (such as a Co-operative Development Agency), you will be granted a credit account without having to go through a credit check.

What do we do next?

To find out more, call our sales team on 0845 458 9070 if you have any questions. You can talk to them Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30, or send a contact form.

Case study:

Thorne Brewery

A new brewery in South Yorkshire was among the first beneficiaries of our Social Enterprise Start-Up & Expansion Fund.

Thorne Brewery, a community interest company, is creating employment and training opportunities for local people by trading as a real ale brewery and visitor centre. The new venture is already producing Thorne Best Bitter, its flagship ale.

"We are keen to source supplies and services from other social enterprises wherever possible and The Phone Co-op is exactly the type of organisation we wish to work with."

Mark Burton
Chief executive
Thorne Brewery