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Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, visited Middlesbrough and Stockton today [12th Feb] to speak at the Tees Valley social enterprise conference and visit a recent recipient of targeted support funding.

Angela Smith delivered a speech today at the Tees Valley social enterprise conference in Middlesbrough addressing the importance of social enterprise in the future of public services and how the government is helping the sector to grow.

The conference was organised by a local charity, Community Ventures Ltd (CVL), and other speakers included key representatives from the national and regional sector support bodies.

CVL is structured as a charity with six social enterprise businesses providing security, human resources, management, regeneration and health and safety consultancy services. CVL’s principal aim is to improve community safety and generate social and economic benefits.

Following the conference, Angela Smith made a visit to a recent recipient of Targeted Support Funding, the Elm Tree Community Association: a local community association based in central Stockton, accompanied by Stockton South MP Dari Taylor.

Elm Tree helps local people into employment by offering a range of support services, from CV writing to looking for training opportunities and job searching. Elm Tree used the £12,806 targeted support grant to enhance the services they offer, especially in IT.

Angela Smith said after the visit:

“This is just the sort of project that this fund aimed to help. It is exciting to see the work and commitment of the Elm Tree Community Association and how the new computer suite for the local community is flourishing and making a real difference to people’s lives. There are still economic challenges, but with this extra funding Elm Tree is able to help support its local community in getting people back into paid employment”.

Marilyn Surtees, Elm Tree Community Association Manager, said:

“This grant funding has enabled Elm Tree Community Association to provide one- to- one support with job search and creating CVs. Most of our clients have recently lost their jobs due to the recession… This has provided a vital support for people who are in danger of losing their homes.”

Source: Office of the Third Sector