Ethos Public Relations Manchester

TSELF helps local award-winning production company step up a gear

by Ethos public relations

First Take Video Ltd, an award-winning independent production and training organisation in Liverpool's arts quarter, will soon be competing at the highest level using state-of-the-art equipment thanks to funding from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF).

A recently awarded loan of £37,500 from TSELF will enable the innovative organisation, which specialises in working with and promoting diverse communities, creating ground-breaking films and programmes, to invest in much-needed new equipment.

First Take, which is recognised as one of the key media organisations in Liverpool, will invest in new state-of-the-art equipment, essential for the production company to continue to undertake high level productions, training, talent development work as well as work within new media.

Thanks to a recently awarded grant of £500,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), TSELF can provide Small Loans for Social Enterprise awards up to £50,000 to help even more organisations like First Take in the North West region.

The work of First Take, which is supported by Liverpool Culture Company, contributes greatly to the cultural status of the city, and the organisation has won several awards for its programmes including its work with Barnardo's Young Carers and North West Disability Arts Forum.

Lynne Harwood, one of the directors of First Take, said: "The loan will help us to develop both the production and training sides of our business. On the production side, we are planning to move into features next year, and our talent development programmes for people who are under represented in the film industry will also benefit immensely as it will also allow us to develop training in new and emerging technologies."

Roy White, North West Regional Director at TSELF, said: "There is a vibrant social enterprise sector in the North West which we are committed to helping to grow.

"First Take Video offers something unique, working with diverse communities tackling cutting edge issues, and we are thrilled to be able to help such a creative organisation in this way.

"The grant from the NWDA and the ERDF is a great boost, and we are now looking forward to working with more social enterprises, charities and small businesses across the region that are unable to secure sufficient funding from mainstream sources."

Social enterprise organisations throughout the UK are bucking the trend and thriving in the difficult economic climate and the Social Enterprise Movement as a whole, is now made up of tens of thousands of organisations and accounts for more than one per cent of the UK's total economy.

Roy White added: "The work of social enterprises is invaluable and we are keen to hear from such organisations which need to secure additional funding.

"TSELF provides loans to social enterprises and charities ranging from £3,000 to £250,000. We are here to help, so we would encourage any social enterprises looking for loans, to contact us immediately."

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 more details about TSELF in the North West visit www.tself.org.uk or call 01829 261019.

Posted at 24^th January 2010