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 Social enterprises which improve the quality of health and social care for local communities can now apply for loans and grants from the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today.

The Fund has helped 200 social enterprises by investing over £20 million since it was first launched in 2007. There is more than £70 million available for start-up and existing social enterprises over the next three years.

Existing projects which have received funding include:
* £243,500 in March 2009 for St Luke's Healthy Living Centre in Southend on Sea, Essex, which provides a range of services including counselling, and fitness activities for the local community;
* £10,000 in April 2008 for the Healthy Hearts mobile screening programme set up by staff at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust which aims to reduce health inequalities in the region;
* £50,000 in March 2008 for Cafe Inc set up by the Aspects and Milestones Trust which provides peer support and vocational training for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems;
* £54,000 in March 2008 for Sit n B Fit in Sunderland, North East England which offers manageable fitness routines to help people keep or regain their mobility.

Social enterprises can apply for a range of financial help including loans, grants and equity-like investment products, along with tailored business support services that can be provided by the fund.

Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services said:
"Social enterprises have the power to connect and engage with communities and offer innovative ways to improve the quality of care for people.

"The Social Enterprise Investment Fund provides not only loans and grants, but also valuable business support. This backing will help new social enterprises, as well as those that are already up and running, play a significant role in transforming health and social care services and improving the health and well-being of local communities."

New and existing organisations can apply for investments by visiting http://www.dh.gov.uk/seif or calling 0191 269 2276. The funding application process takes approximately six weeks.

The fund is being delivered by Futurebuilders England and Partnerships UK. The two organisations will work closely with the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Unit to support and assess applications to the fund.

Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of Futurebuilders England said:
"Social enterprises are increasingly delivering valuable public services.

"This fund can really help organisations working to deliver innovative health or social care services locally, with access to grants and loans.
We are also offering additional support to help them succeed through better management and use of funding."

James Stewart, chief executive of Partnerships UK said:

"Social enterprises already make a huge contribution to the delivery of public services. This contribution is only going to increase in the future.

"Partnerships UK is delighted to be working alongside the Department of Health and Futurebuilders England to help social enterprises realise their full potential in delivering health and social care services".