Growth Hub launches programme of support for North Yorkshire Social Enterprises

Book your place today, full event list below!

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub are proud to have launched a programme of support for Social Enterprises in North Yorkshire. Working with delivery partners Community First Yorkshire and Social Vision, the programme is designed to help North Yorkshire’s social enterprises to start, grow and prosper. It’s not too late to take advantage of this opportunity, sign up now.

Social Enterprises are a vital part of North Yorkshire’s economy, who also provide important social benefits through the work they do. This programme will draw on best practice to deliver bespoke support targeting the needs of our region’s social entrepreneurs.

Book your event today

12 March – Peer Support (repeat) | Harrogate

When? Wednesday 12 March, 9.30am – 12:00pm

Where? Harrogate – Friends Meeting House, 12A Queen Parade, Harrogate HG1 5PP

Starting a social business can be a challenging and rewarding experience. As part of our social enterprise support programme, we would love to invite you to join us to focus on peer support and peer learning – helping to build your confidence and resilience, as well as growing your network with other social entrepreneurs.

Stef and Dena are experienced facilitators who will be there to support you and your social enterprise. Spaces are limited so please do book on as soon as possible.

Register now

20 March – Workshop: Legal Structures (repeat) | Online

When? Thursday 20 March, 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Where? Whitby

What is a social enterprise? What is the best structure for your business? This session will explore the different options and legalities, and provide the opportunity to work through different scenarios and real-life examples.

Register now

25 March – Sustainability and Social Enterprise | Online

When? Tuesday 25 March, 10:00am – 11:30am

Where? This session will be hosted on Zoom

What does sustainability mean to you? Financial, succession planning, environmental? This peer-led workshop will explore different scenarios, models and solutions.

Register now

27 March – Wellbeing Mindset | Online

When? Thursday 27 March, 1:30pm – 4:00pm

Where? This session will be held over Zoom

• Explore ‘growth mindset’ – and challenging that can impact a non-growth mindset.
• Individual behaviours and patterns – do they recognise any changes needed?
• Explore attitudes, beliefs and values
• Study ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ – how can this be implemented in their lives?
• Inner voice – what does your say?
• Work life balance

Register now

31 March – Social Mission (repeat) | Online

When? Monday 31 March, 10:00am – 11:30am
Where?This session will be held over Zoom

So, you’re starting a social enterprise. What difference will this make? What is the problem you want to solve? How will you know if anything has changed. This session will introduce you to setting out your vision and measuring your impact, making sure you are having a positive impact on your community and providing a market solution to a social need.

Register now

2 April – Peer Support (repeat) | Online

When? Wednesday 2 April, 1.30pm – 4pm
Where? This session will be held over Zoom

Starting a social business can be a challenging and rewarding experience. As part of our social enterprise support programme, we would love to invite you to join us to focus on peer support and peer learning – helping to build your confidence and resilience, as well as growing your network with other social entrepreneurs.

Stef and Dena are experienced facilitators who will be there to support you and your social enterprise. Spaces are limited so please do book on as soon as possible.

Register now

4 April – Marketing and Social Media | Online

When? Friday 4 April, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Where? This session will be held over Zoom

Join us to look at different approaches to promoting your social enterprise and reaching the right audience. Including an introduction to social media tools and marketing materials.

Register now

10 April – Finance and Funding | Online

When? Thursday 10 April, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Where? This session will be hosted on Zoom

Join us to look at financing and funding for social enterprises, with input from West Yorkshire Community Accounting Services and IDOX funding platform.

Register now

This programme is delivered in partnership with Community First Yorkshire and Social Vision, and is funded by North Yorkshire Council through the Shared Prosperity Fund. As such, programme is eligibility is limited to social enterprises based within the North Yorkshire Council area.

Social Enterprise Micro-Grant programme

Grants of exactly £500 will be distributed by Social Vision to social entrepreneurs across the region, with the exclusive purpose of aiding them to test a social enterprise idea. As part of our wider programme of support for Social Enterprises, the Growth Hub are excited to launch a Micro-Grant programme, in partnership with Social Vision. This builds on their previous experience delivering a similar programme in Selby.

Find out more, and apply

Innovation Supper provides funding boost for First Leaf Farm

The event followed its now well-established format: attendees enjoyed supper while hearing from local entrepreneurs, each given ten minutes to pitch their business idea followed by questions from the audience. At the end of the evening, participants voted to decide which business would receive the proceeds from ticket sales, providing both a financial boost and valuable exposure to an engaged local network.

[FULL] 1-2-1 SEO Support: Tailored advice to help your website rank higher in Google

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Strive Live Start-Up Incubator: October 2025 (BSL Interpreted)

Following ongoing high demand and supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs, the Growth Hub is planning to once again partner up with Enterprise Cube to deliver a cohort of the Strive Live Start-Up Incubator, scheduled for October 2025. Find out more about more about the programme below, and register your interest to secure the first places when dates are confirmed.

Advice and Support for North Yorkshire Businesses

North Yorkshire Council offer support to businesses across the region. We understand that there may be particular pressures as a result of the Moorland Wildfire. If you need to talk to a business advisor, please email business.nyc@northyorks.gov.uk and one of our colleagues will be in touch. If you’re in the Visitor Economy, Visit North Yorkshire offers specialist support, get in touch by contacting the team.

Steps into Digital: Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions Workshop Series

This nine part workshop series is designed to help businesses at every stage of their data journey from those just starting out to those ready to explore artificial intelligence and compliance. Each session is practical, jargon free and grounded in real business use cases, ensuring participants leave with tools and knowledge they can apply immediately.

Scams warning as Self Assessment customers targeted

Scammers often impersonate HMRC, offering fake refunds or demanding urgent payments to steal personal and banking information. They may say it’s safe to share personal details. It’s not. Passwords, usernames, and access codes are private and customers should never share them, even with someone they trust or who helps them with their tax.

York and North Yorkshire farms urged to apply for sustainability funding

Farms and businesses that have had an energy audit can now apply for funding up to £49,950 to help decarbonise their businesses. York and North Yorkshire’s Business Sustainability Programme will help farms and businesses implement changes that have been recommended by the local authority or Grow Yorkshire decarbonisation support programme or one which has been done by a suitable private sector organisation.