Community Enterprise

A community enterprise is defined as having social and environmental objectives, especially training, aims eventually to become self-financing and is run by local people. Generally, they provide local services to local people; community cafes, community gardens, managed workspace for instance. Rather than maximising shareholder value, their main aim is to generate profit to further their social and environmental goals.

Social Enterprise Berkshire is a good place to start. It provides training and support for businesses wanting to set up as co-operatives or community enterprises. There's lots more information at www.socialenterprise.org.uk

Would your enterprise or project benefit from an internet-ready computer? Look up www.btcommunityconnections.com to find out how to apply for a free computer being given away by BT Community Connections this year.

Here are one or two examples of community businesses in Berkshire.

The Pang Valley Charcoal Project was set up in 1994 to supply high quality, locally produced charcoal to five B & Q stores. At present the UK imports over 96% of its charcoal which originates in tropical and mangrove forests.

The Project is keen to promote the management of small woodlands and the reinstatement of coppice. The limiting factor at present is the availability of good coppice material.

At present three craftsmen are employed full-time and, as well as charcoal production, they have also created markets for other woodland products such as greenwood furniture, hurdles, hedgelaying stakes and binders, lathes and pegs.

Training opportunities exist and John Kirkman, Pang Valley Countryside Project Officer, would be pleased to hear from anyone interested. Tel. 0118 930 5335

Community composting is an area where people living in the same street or estate work together to provide their own compost. Lots more information at the Community Recycling Network www.crn.org.uk

Horticultural Therapy centres are found throughout Berkshire. They all have the aim of helping people with a variety of disadvantages into employment or contributing to society or self-achievement through the medium of horticulture. See your local area for details of centres.

Reading True Food Community Co-operative is a not-for-profit community enterprise that takes good and healthy organic foods to community venues in and around Reading.

Organic fresh fruit and veg, bread, loose and packaged wholefoods as well as eco-friendly household products are now taken to ten community venues in Reading, Caversham and Twyford twice a month. Co-op members who have grown their own produce organically may barter or sell at sales.

Contact: Chris Aldridge, tel 0845 330 8272

E-mail: organics@truefood.coop

Website: www.truefood.coop