Derby Social Ventures

04/06/2026

Social investment is often surrounded by myths.

"It's only for large organisations."
"It's just another loan."
"We're not ready for investment."

The reality is often very different.

On Wednesday 17 June, we're delighted to welcome Naomi Sampson, Investment Manager at Key Fund, to Rise @ 58i for an informal and practical conversation about social investment and what it could mean for charities, social enterprises and purpose-led organisations.

We'll explore:
• What social investment actually is
• Whether your organisation might be investment ready
• Different types of finance available
• When investment is the right tool – and when it isn't
• Real examples of organisations that have used investment to grow their impact

Key Fund has invested millions of pounds into organisations across the UK, helping them strengthen communities, create jobs and build more sustainable futures.

📅 Wednesday 17 June 2026
⏰ 4.30pm – 6.30pm
📍 58i, Derby

If you've ever wondered whether social investment could help your organisation grow its impact, this session is for you.

Book your place: https://58i.co.uk/events/18

11/05/2026

Do you want to set up a social enterprise in Derby?

Derby Venture Builder is here to help people turn ideas for social change into sustainable ventures.

Whether your idea focuses on community, culture, wellbeing, environment or inclusion, we want to help you develop it into something real and sustainable.

✔ Coaching and support
✔ Impact-focused business development
✔ Peer community
✔ Practical guidance
✔ Help turning ideas into action

We believe Derby has the talent, creativity and passion to become a true City of Impact.

Interested? Get in touch to find out more.

27/04/2026

Something new for Derby.

We’re launching Derby Venture Builder — a programme to support people building impact ventures and social enterprises.

This is for you if you want to:

• Start a social enterprise
• Build a business that creates real social or environmental change
• Grow an existing organisation and make it more sustainable

You can be at any stage:

Just starting with an idea
Already trading
Established and looking to grow your impact

What matters is your commitment to the change you want to create.

This isn’t a short course or a few workshops.

It’s ongoing, structured support to help you build something that actually lasts — combining:

✔ 1:1 coaching
✔ Practical venture support
✔ Peer learning with a small cohort
✔ Real challenge and accountability

For more information visit our website:
https://socventures.org/derby-venture-builder

01/04/2026

Derby needs more people who don’t just talk about change…
but actually build it.

RISE @ 58i is a new meet-up for impact changemakers, social entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to make a difference.

Whether you’re running something already or just have the spark of an idea — this is your space.

First event
📅 Tuesday 22 April
⏰ 4.30pm – 6.30pm
📍 58i, Derby

What to expect:
• Real conversations about real challenges
• Insight from people doing the work
• Connections that actually go somewhere
• A space to think, reflect, and move forward

This isn’t networking for the sake of it.
It’s about building something meaningful in Derby.

If you care about impact — you should be in the room.

👉 Book your place
https://58i.co.uk/events/16

The RISE Meet Up is where we bring together people who want to make an Impact through their work and be a Changemaker for the problems and challenges that they see

20/01/2026

Building an impact venture is hard.
Doing it sustainably is even harder.

Join us at 58i for an evening with Michael Gladwell — one of the UK’s most successful social entrepreneurs and founder of Upbeat Clean, winner of the King’s Award for Enterprise.

Michael will share the real story of building a values-led business that delivers impact and commercial success — including:
• what nearly broke the business
• the decisions that mattered most
• how to scale without losing purpose

This isn’t a motivational talk.
It’s a practical conversation for people already carrying responsibility and trying to build something that lasts.

👥 Social entrepreneurs
🏙 Charity leaders
🚀 Founders & changemakers
📍 Anyone serious about the impact economy in Derby

🗓 Date: [add date]
📍 Venue: 58i, Derby
🎟 Tickets: https://58i.co.uk/events/15

Let’s build an ecosystem that learns from real experience — not theory.

09/01/2026

📘 New book release

We’re pleased to share the launch of Getting Out of the Way – Creating Changemakers.

This book grew out of years of real-world work with social entrepreneurs, charity leaders, and people trying to lead change in systems that are often under-resourced and over-controlled.

It challenges the idea that change comes from more frameworks, programmes, or short-term fixes. Instead, it makes the case for coaching-led support that builds confidence, judgment, and long-term capacity.

If you’re frustrated by support models that focus on compliance rather than people — and want a more honest, practical way of thinking about change — this book is for you.

Now available on Amazon.
👉 Link in the comments.

24/10/2025

📢 Attention change-makers: the deadline to apply for the Derby Impact Awards 2025 is 12 Noon on Monday 3 November! 🕛
Derby Impact Awards 2025

Don’t let this opportunity slip by — if you’re a social enterprise, charity, B-Corp or purpose-driven business in the Greater Derby area, this is your chance to showcase your impact and be celebrated.

✔️ The application is free, straightforward and won’t take hours of your time — get your entry in and let your work shine.
Derby Impact Awards 2025

🎯 With categories including:

Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year

Cultural/Creative Impact Venture of the Year

Best Impact Business of the Year … and more!
Derby Impact Awards 2025

📍 The Gala: Thursday 20 November 2025 at Derby Museum, The Wardwick, Derby.
Derby Impact Awards 2025

👉 Ready to apply? Head to the website here: derbyimpactawards2025.org

Act now — the clock’s ticking! ⏳ & Innovation

Celebrate the changemakers shaping Derby’s future. The Derby Impact Awards 2025 honour purpose-driven businesses, social enterprises, and community leaders creating positive social and environmental impact across the region.

11/10/2025

12/06/2025

12 months of Impact!
We’re delighted to invite you to a special evening celebrating the first anniversary of Derby Social Ventures — an ambitious initiative to grow and connect a thriving ecosystem of social enterprise in our city.

Taking place on Thursday, June 26th at QUAD Derby, this high-impact event will bring together leaders, changemakers, and innovators committed to shaping a more inclusive and enterprising future for Derby.

We would be honoured to have you join us.
🎤 What to Expect
6:00 PM – Arrivals & Registration
Please arrive on time — the event begins promptly.

6:10 PM – Opening Remarks
Cllr Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council
Launch of the Derby Social Ventures Annual Impact Report

6:25 PM – Social Entrepreneur Pitches
Three emerging ventures will pitch their ideas for a sustainable social venture.

6:40 PM – Film Screening: Social Enterprising the Transitions Ahead
An inspiring short documentary about how Sheffield’s social enterprises are leading systemic change through inclusive employment, circular economy models, and community-led innovation.
Commissioned by the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network (SSEN) and produced by Opus Films, the film offers a powerful vision for a fairer, more sustainable future.
Followed by a Q&A with Terry Murphy, Head of SSEN.

7:45 PM – Event Ends
Continue the conversation over drinks in the QUAD bar.

Book your free ticket here

Celebrating one year of Derby Social Ventures with pitches, film, and ideas shaping the future of social entrepreneurship in Derby.

10/02/2025

Thinking about starting a social enterprise but unsure where to begin? Join us on Tuesday, March 4th, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM for a free interactive workshop designed to help you assess whether your idea has the potential to create real impact while being financially sustainable.

This practical session is aimed at individuals in the early stages of planning a social enterprise. Whether you have a passion for solving a social problem or an idea that could make a difference, this workshop will guide you through the key steps in turning your vision into action.

What We’ll Cover:
💡 Identifying the social problem you want to solve
📊 Exploring whether your solution is financially viable
🔎 Understanding the basics of social enterprise models
💬 Group discussions and peer feedback

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an idea for a social enterprise
Those curious about balancing social impact and financial sustainability
Early-stage entrepreneurs looking for guidance and clarity

Do you have an idea for social enterprise but don't know where to begin? This workshop is for you.