In 2003, Ards Business Centre Ltd received funding from Ards Local Strategy Partnership to deliver a social economy enterprise programme within the Ards Borough Council Area. Advance Ards will develop the social economy in Ards through the development of an enterprise culture within local and community groups. This will be achieved by:

Photo: Advance Ards Network Members

		Partnership Building within the Community: We continue to raise awareness of the programme and its aims through regular meetings with local community groups to inform them about the programme, and to highlight how developing community businesses and social economy projects can lead to long term sustainability. Through the Advance Ards programme, groups will receive information on sources of funding or organisations that can offer practical help, along with updates on the social economy.
		Advance Ards: Start a Community Business Support pack. All community groups in Ards Borough will receive an Advance Ards support pack that contains details on business planning, legal structures and case studies of existing social enterprises in the Borough. The pack will be backed up by on-going practical support through the Advance Ards Programme.
		Idea Generation workshops. Throughout the duration of the programme we will be hosting Idea Generation workshops to assist groups to work through ideas and provide practical support on how to research and assess the viability of their business idea. Experienced Business Advisors and community business representatives will provide assistance at each event.
		Best Practice Site Visits. In order for groups to learn from each other, we will be organising site visits to successful social enterprises to allow community groups in the Ards Borough to view models of good practice and to find out first hand the issues affecting groups starting a community business.
		Advance Ards Network. Representatives from local community business, education, voluntary and statutory sectors will meet regularly to review the work of Advance Ards, and to share their expertise and information to develop the enterprise culture in Ards Borough. By working in partnership we hope to deliver a comprehensive service to groups on the Advance Ards programme.
		Professional Mentors. Through the Advance Ards programme we hope to encourage experienced, professional individuals from a variety of vocational areas to consider volunteering a small amount of their spare time to assist community groups starting a community business. Whether you have a background in business, accountancy, law, IT, marketing, or would be happy to provide general assistance to local groups, Advance Ards would be happy to hear from you.
If you are an existing community business and would like to hear more about the Advance Ards Support programme please contact us.

The Advance Ards Support programme The Advance Ards programme recognises that existing social enterprises require a level of support to ensure sustainability and growth. An experienced business advisor will work on the Advance Ards Support programme to:   Hold one to one meetings to support your enterprise   Carry out a comprehensive audit of the business   Through audit outcomes a business and improvement plan will be created tailored to your business needs   On-going mentoring   Appraisal – establish future goals for the business.

Photo: L to R, Derek McClure, Director Daisies Cafe, Lesley Johnston,Advance Ards, and Lydia McAlees, Play A Way Childcare Centre

Ards Local Strategy Partnership ‘’Through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, Ards Local Strategy Partnership is delighted to support the Advance Ards Programme. It advances the ideals of the European Union in developing the social economy as a viable alternative to traditional employment, as well as empowering local communities to be innovative and sustainable. By implementing the Advance Ards Programme, Ards Business Centre is the most obvious and best-equipped location for such an enterprise. We thoroughly endorse this website, and recommend the support and guidance that accompanies it.’’ Tony McMullan – Chairperson, Ards Local Strategy Partnership Ltd.

Photo: L to R, Noel Gilmour, Invest NI, Tom Rowley, Ards LSP and Kirsty McBriar, Business Advisor, Ards Business Centre.