What We Offer
Whether you're exploring a new idea, starting a business, strengthening how you work, or planning for growth, we can help you. CASE supports co-operatives and social enterprises at every stage of their journey with tailored advice and practical support.
We can help you to
- Test the viability of an idea you have for a new venture
- Explore the benefits of working co-operatively
- Select the most appropriate legal structure to achieve your aims now and for the longer-term
- Register your business
- Guide the development of your business plan
- Identify grant funding opportunities and finance that will get you started and help your ideas develop and grow
- Set up effective financial processes and systems
- Develop a marketing strategy that reaches your audience
- Organise your co-op or social enterprise effectively
- Explore options to grow your business and increase your social impact
This support can take the form of one-to-one support sessions, training and group workshops. We always tailor our support to fit the needs of the individuals and organisations we work with, and our ability to do this well is one of the features that makes us different.
Who We Support
CASE works with:
- Co-operatives working in any part of the East Midlands
- All kinds of social enterprises based in Leicester and Leicestershire.
The organisations we work with take many forms, and are operating in a wide range of sectors. What unites them is that they are all working to benefit their communities and make the world a better place.
We work with organisations in sectors including:
- Health and Social Care
- Community shops and pubs
- Arts and Culture
- Sports Clubs
- Social Clubs and Working Men’s Clubs
- Credit Unions
- Voluntary organisations
- Community Campaign Groups
- Groups working to save Assets at Risk
Finding the Right Business Model
Choosing a suitable structure is an important first step for any new venture. CASE’s specialists can guide you through the options and help to select a structure that best supports your aims, reducing the risk of problems later on.
We understand and specialise in working with legal forms including:
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Community Benefit Societies
- Co-operative Societies
- Registered charities
- Not-for-profit Companies
- Unincorporated Associations and Trusts
- Community Amateur Sports Clubs
- Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- Sole Traders
We can work with startups through the process of registration, check your paperwork before submission, and act as your point of contact at Companies House, Charity Commission, CIC Regulator or the Financial Conduct Authority if queries arise.
For more information on co-ops and social enterprises see our pages:
Why Work with CASE?
- Our specialists are practitioners: their knowledge has been gained through years of setting up, running and working within co-operatives and social enterprises. If you are facing a challenge, it’s likely our specialists have been there too and can support you through it.
- We speak your language: The world of business and social enterprise can be confusing and intimidating. We cut through the jargon, de-mystify processes, and work in a way that is down-to-earth and informed by real-world experience.
- A human approach: AI tools can now help with many parts of building a business, but CASE brings a human approach to sense-checking and testing the viability of your ideas, based on our extensive knowledge, expertise and track record.
- Tailored support: We adapt and develop our support to fit your needs – we don’t just provide ‘off the shelf’ services, we shape our work around your approach and ways of working.
How Much does it cost to work with CASE?
We are happy to offer an initial chat free of charge. This helps us to understand your ideas, see how we can help, and put together a proposal or quote. Get in touch to find out more.
Where possible, we will then try to fit you into one of our current funded projects (See ‘Current Projects’ for details and criteria). This means that support is often free of charge to the individuals and organisations we support.
CASE also works as a delivery partner with Local Authorities, regional development projects and for organisations commissioning support. We are always keen to explore new partnership and collaboration opportunities and discuss how our expertise can help deliver positive outcomes. Please get in touch to start a conversation.
Our standard fees for work with clients are as follows:
- For co-ops and social enterprises with a turnover under £10m per annum:
- Consultancy: £60 per hour or £420 per day
- Training Courses and Workshops: Half Day £420 or Full Day £600
Fees for all other organisations
- Consultancy: £120 per hour or £600 per day
- Training Courses and Workshops: Half Day £600 or Full Day £1,000
20% VAT is chargeable on all work.
Our aim is to help organisations maximise their positive impact in the communities they serve. We are always happy to explore flexible ways of working and may be able to tailor project costs to suit your budget.