For the past five years, Community Catalysts has been working in Suffolk, supporting local people to set up their own small businesses offering care and support to others in their communities. We call these small businesses community micro-enterprises. Today, there are 160 thriving community micro-enterprises in Suffolk, offering everything from personal care at home and help to get out and about, to gardening support and social activities. These diverse services are listed on the ever-growing Small Good Stuff website.
On 23 September, the Suffolk team (Amy, Ella, Jayne, Joseph and Helen) hosted a vibrant speed networking event at the Blackbourne Community Centre in Elmswell. The gathering brought together more than 50 people, including a wide range of professionals from Suffolk County Council. These included social workers, direct payments and brokerage teams, link workers and commissioners – all eager to connect with the micro-enterprise leaders shaping care in Suffolk.
The event was opened by Ed Abbott, Suffolk County Council’s Head of Service for Homecare and Brokerage, who spoke passionately about the importance of the self-directed support marketplace and the vital role community micro-enterprises play in offering flexible, person-centred care.
Clement Mawoyo, Area Director (Homefirst, Safeguarding) for West Suffolk, delivered a powerful closing speech. He praised the innovative spirit of the enterprise leaders and highlighted the value of their tailored, person-centred, community-rooted services.
“A very engaging session – great to meet the enterprises and hear about the great work they do.”
“So useful to see the vastness and variability of support available.”
“A great opportunity to hear of the good work happening in Suffolk.”
Our speed networking events are a great opportunity to connect and learn, and to reflect on the support community micro-enterprises can offer to local people and help change wider systems and culture. They help build bridges between practitioners and providers, spark new ideas and strengthen the local care ecosystem.
In Suffolk, the impact was immediate: connections were made, information was shared and practitioners discovered new solutions to meet the needs of those they support.
“Very helpful meeting all of the practitioners in a variety of different fields – the direct payment information was very useful.”
“Informative and wonderful networking opportunity.”
“It was lovely meeting and speaking to different people – informative and interactive.”
Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, has written an article celebrating the success of the community micro-enterprise development in Suffolk. She describes how it contributes to making their ‘People at the heart of care’ vision a reality.