Success of Council’s Social Enterprise Programme (ANDSEP) Marked at Closing Event
Ards and North Down Borough Council’s successful Ards and North Down Social Enterprise Programme (ANDSEP), which has been supporting social business ventures in the area since 2016, has come to a successful conclusion with a closing event held in Helen’s Bay Walled Garden.
ANDSEP was a tailored specialist support programme that offered business development support to local social enterprises, helping them to start up, develop and grow sustainably. Through the programme, ANDSEP supported over 90 social business ventures and created more than 75 jobs within the Borough.
The programme was developed in partnership with delivery agent Work West, which provided tailored advice and support to social enterprises.
It offered a range of support services, including one-to-one mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities.
A closing event marked the programme’s success where participants reflected on their experiences with ANDSEP and discussed the impact the programme has had on their business ventures.
Many spoke about how the programme helped them to build their confidence, develop their skills, and grow their social enterprises.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said: “ANDSEP has been a vital programme for social enterprises in our area, and we are proud of the support we have provided to help businesses to develop and grow.
“We are pleased to see the positive impact it has had on our local community, and we wish all our participants every success in the future.”
In addition to the support provided by ANDSEP, social enterprises were also referred to other supporting organisations, including Invest NI, to help them access further funding and support.
The programme has been instrumental in promoting and developing social enterprises in the Ards and North Down area, making a significant contribution to the local economy.
The closing event marked the culmination of a successful initiative that has helped many to grow and thrive in the area.
Further information about ANDSEP and other business support programmes can be found at:
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