Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Equality North East to help more employers and individuals achieve the ‘Equality Standard’ thanks to unique funding

by Ethos public relations

Equality North East, a not-for-profit social enterprise in Gateshead, is managing to safeguard jobs and is set to provide equality workshops for small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s), thanks to financial support from a unique loan fund.

A recently awarded loan of £60,000 from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) will enable Equality North East to continue its work across the region, helping to remove barriers faced by minority and disadvantaged groups in terms of employment and entry into employment.

Liz Reay, Chief Executive of Equality North East, said: "We deliver projects and activities which support employers and individuals with their equality needs, and the loan from TSELF will enable us to continue this work across the region.

"The loan will assist with the work we are doing around our newly developed 'Equality Standard'- a practical tool that helps employers to plan and promote good equality practice in their organisations, ensuring they comply with the new 'Equality Act' legislation.

Liz added: "We believe that we have an excellent product in the 'Equality Standard'. And the loan from TSELF will help safeguard the jobs of the people working on it and pay for publicity and marketing so that the 'Equality Standard' can reach its business potential, whilst helping employers in the Third and private sectors implement the policies and procedures that will help with the recruitment and retention of people from diverse groups."

The loan will also allow the company to deliver the standard in a more innovative way so that SME’s and Third Sector organisations can work towards achieving the standard through the more affordable method of group sessions.

Equality North East, set up over ten years ago, provides key information, advice and guidance (IAG), training, consultancy, networking and events focused on Equality, and has become an important regional resource and the leading body for equality information and support for individuals and organisations in all sectors.

Rod Jones, regional director for TSELF, said: "Equality North East is unique in the services it offers to the community and really does help many people in the area, so we are thrilled to be able to assist with funding.

"TSELF provides loans to social enterprises and charities ranging from £15,000 to £250,000. We are here to help, so we would encourage any social enterprises looking for loans, to contact us."

The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and a registered charity aiming to support social enterprises engaged in social regeneration projects with the provision of loan finance.

TSELF has, to date, invested £8million in social enterprises across the UK, helping clients to generate job opportunities as well as training places.

For further information about Equality North East, visit www.equality-ne.co.uk or call 0191 495 6262.

To find out more about TSELF visit www.tself.org.uk or call 020 7680 1028.

Posted at 23^rd December 2010