A SOCIAL enterprise network is being launched to give businesses a place to share ideas and knowledge on producing social outcomes as well as profits.

The Swindon Social Enterprise Network (SSEN) is a membership organisation focused on supporting new social enterprises and promoting successful ones already running in the town.

The group, a voluntary organisation sponsored by individuals and businesses, will hold monthly networking events which hope to share social enterprise models, and create a directory of members to foster greater collaboration between businesses.

Andrew Hill, social inclusion and welfare manager at Swindon Borough Council, explained the network to the Adver.

"This is acting as a third way, it will work for social outcomes, and that's the main purpose of them. There's no shareholders, but they must be profitable and sustainable.

"We know that much of the wider business community would like to see more companies helping their local area, so the network is trying to encourage companies to help fill those societal gaps."

The SSEN website will be unveiled along with a screening of the first case study film about two local social enterprises, The Mechanics's Institute Trust, and Raw Workshop, an Oxford-based reclaimed timber businesses.

The Mechanic's Trust runs The Central Community Centre and has recently opened The Baker's Café on Emlyn Square, providing a place for community events, aiming to tackle social exclusion, and gives unemployed people a route back into work by taking on local volunteers.

SSEN will launch at a lunchtime event from 12.30 on Wednesday November 14 at The Central Community Centre, also on Emlyn Square.

Numbers are limited to the event so those wanting to book a place must book through the Event Brite page at ssenlaunch2018.eventbrite.co.uk