Are you – or is someone you know – leading an early-stage social venture or considering starting one? Do you want to make a positive impact on your community and beyond?
Flourish Together is delighted to be bringing our fifth ‘Time to Grow’ programme to Greater Manchester, in partnership with The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Manchester City Council and NatWest.
**Please apply by midday on December 1st 2023 by completing this Expression of Interest form.**
What is the Time to Grow Programme?
The programme is a fully-funded programme designed to support women with enterprising solutions to social issues, tackle inequality, unlock potential and create sustainable change.
Who is Time to Grow for?
Flourish is looking for 25-30 diverse women of all ages and backgrounds who are early stage with an idea/social venture (less than 3 years) You may be:
- Developing, running or looking to grow a social enterprise, community project, charitable or co-operative group and need some focussed time and support to achieve your ambitions.
- Volunteering your socks off and looking for a pathway to gain an income or set up a project.
- Taking a career break or juggling family life but thinking about what you might do next and looking for something flexible with real purpose.
- Struggling to find the right employment in current climate that fits in around your lifestyle or other commitments.
When is Time to Grow happening?
Time to Grow 5 starts in January 2024 and will run until July 2024 with one or two programme days each month. Sessions will be a mix of online workshops and in-person events, plus there will be a range of wider peer learning events and 1-2-1 mentoring to help people access tailored support to develop their ventures.
Time to Grow will culminate with a ‘Mentor-a-thon’ in July to celebrate, share and build wider connections to other social changemakers and support agencies. Plus there will be the opportunity to pitch for seed funding, connect with potential partners and gain support for your venture.
Time to Grow is designed to be flexible and meet different people’s needs, interests and availability – so there will be ways of catching up with support and learning should you have work, family or other commitments.
How can I find out more?
We are running inspiration and support events & information sessions in October, November and December – here you can meet previous Time to Grow participants and hear how they have developed their ventures. You’ll hear more details about the programme, how to apply and we’ll answer any questions you may have.
Inspiration Event: Evolve Your Social Venture (Gorton Hub, Monday 27 November) Book here
You can also catch up with a recording of our recent Information session here (Passcode: ?*FG5msF) to hear more.
So if you (or someone you know) is eager to tap into your potential in a supportive environment and discover practical ways to transform your aspirations into reality, why not come along to find out more?
How to apply
Applications are now open! To register your interest – or if you have any queries about the programme email anna@flourishtogether.org.uk or apply by completing this Expression of Interest form by December 1st 2023 at the latest. If you need any help completing the form contact anna@flourishtogether.org.uk who can help you fill it in over the phone.
Whether you’re in the early stages of idea development or already running a project and aiming to ensure its sustainability, Time to Grow offers a blend of support, training, peer learning, and networking to help you progress toward building a sustainable venture that works for you and benefits the community.
For more information email: shelley@flourishtogether.org.uk
Time to Grow 5 is open to women across Greater Manchester and beyond: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan
Photo by PhotoMIX Company.
