Social Enterprise Accelerator 

We start by getting really clear on why your organisation exists and how you help.

You will:

• Revisit the core problem your social enterprise is there to address
• Look at that problem from your beneficiaries’, customers’ and stakeholders’ perspectives
• Clarify the solutions you offer and how they really land in practice
• Identify quick, practical changes you can make to how you talk about what you do

Outcome: A grounded, confident way of explaining your problem and solution that you can use in conversations, on your website, and in funding applications.

In this week we bring your impact into focus.

You will:

• Explore the difference between what you do and the difference it makes
• Map the social impact you’re already creating, even if you’re not yet measuring it formally
• Identify which outcomes matter most to your beneficiaries, funders and partners
• Begin to shape a simple, honest impact story you can share

Outcome: A clearer picture of your social impact and key messages you can use with stakeholders and supporters.

This week is all about your Theory of Change. We build a simple theory of change that actually feels useful using the Mantle framework.

You will:

• Understand the role of a theory of change in a social enterprise
• Map your inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and long‑term impact
• Surface and test some of the assumptions sitting underneath your work
• Turn your theory of change into something that can guide decisions, not just sit in a document

Outcome: A practical theory of change that strengthens your strategy and supports conversations with funders and partners.

Here, the focus is fully on you and your organisation.

In this 1:1 session, we might:

• Go deeper into your problem/solution fit or impact story
• Work through your draft theory of change
• Talk honestly about where you feel stretched, and what support or changes you need
• Look at the specific realities of your context, team, or community

Outcome: Personalised feedback and direction, so you leave knowing where to focus your energy next.

We’ll look at how your social enterprise is (or could be) funded, and what feels realistic and values‑aligned.

You will:

• Explore common funding and income models for social enterprises
• Consider how grants, contracts, trading income and partnerships could work for you
• Reflect on how your current income streams feel in terms of stability, alignment and capacity
• Identify the most promising funding routes for your organisation right now

Outcome: A clearer funding direction and a small number of focused, realistic next steps.

Here we step back and look at the whole picture of how your organisation works.

You will:

• Map out your current business model simply and honestly
• Look at where things are working well, and where they feel fragile or over‑reliant on you
• Explore options to refine, simplify or strengthen your model
• Consider pricing, customers/beneficiaries, partners, costs and capacity together

Outcome: A more coherent, sustainable business model that supports both your impact and your wellbeing.

We focus on building resilience into both your organisation and your leadership.

You will:

• Name the key risks facing your social enterprise (financial, operational, relational, personal)
• Explore practical ways to build resilience into your plans and structures
• Reflect on your own resilience as a leader, and what you need to keep going well
• Create a simple, realistic resilience and risk action plan

Outcome: A grounded understanding of where you’re vulnerable, and a plan for strengthening resilience over time.

We end with a second 1:1 session to bring it all together.

In this session, we might:

• Review your business model and funding direction
• Refine your impact story and theory of change
• Prioritise your next few months, so the accelerator leads into clear action
• Talk about what support or accountability you might need beyond the programme

Outcome: A focused, personal roadmap for the months after the Social Enterprise Accelerator.

This accelerator is designed for founders and leaders of social enterprises who are ready to grow their impact and revenue in a structured, supported way.

Most participants set aside around 2–3 hours per week for sessions and implementation. The programme is designed to fit around a busy role, not add another full-time job.

You’ll get a clear framework to follow, practical tools, and direct support from me so you’re not trying to figure everything out on your own.

I know from my own experience that running a social enterprise can be complicated when it comes to finances so when you sign up you can either pay in full or over two months, to help that cashflow.