The event will be hosted and led by First Ark Social Investment, and is open to all local social enterprises and entrepreneurs.

A free roadshow for social businesses across the North West will come to Liverpool this month, geared towards helping community-driven organisations understand what funding is available to them and how to access it.

The event is set to be held at First Ark’s Liverpool city centre space at Queens Dock Business Centre, Norfolk Street on Monday, February 13, between 9am and 12pm.

At the event, First Ark will also discuss their recently launched ‘Invest for Impact’ fund, a scheme specifically for social enterprises, that allows social organisations to access up to £150k in a blend of grant and loan.

Tony Cahill, executive director at First Ark, said: “This fund is available to all of the organisations across Merseyside dedicated to making their communities a better place, who are ready to step up their operations and grow. At the event, we’ll be talking about what makes a social enterprise investment-ready, and offering practical help on how to get to that stage.”

Liverpool has a high number of voluntary, community and social organisations, partly due to the fact that the city is home to School for Social Entrepreneurs North West, an institution dedicated to helping people turn their ideas for positive change into viable, functioning businesses.

Helen Heap, Investment Committee Member, Liverpool City Region, said:

“In the face of a difficult economy, the role of social enterprises is becoming more and more important. Liverpool City Region has a significant social economy which includes many social organisations who are dedicated to doing good.

“Most of these social organisations operate at too small a scale to achieve their full potential. Many would benefit from the opportunity to meet like-minded people to learn from and collaborate with, and the support of investors who are willing to back them. This event has been arranged to deliver both those things. I encourage social businesses in and around Liverpool to come along to find out more about social investment, Liverpool City Region’s social economy, and the ‘Invest for Impact’ Fund.”