FAQ by topic

The Exchange is an information, advice and support service available to the social enterprise sector from the social enterprise sector.

The Exchange links up requests for support with support offered from our membership.

Please email info@firstport.org.uk or phone [0845 478 6336] and have a chat about the issue you would like help with. Alternatively, you can also fill in the exchange enquiry form [in the contact us part of our site] This is very informal, as is the Exchange as a whole, so don’t be hesitant about making contact.

The Exchange is free. It doesn’t cost anything to make an enquiry and if an enquiry results in someone meeting with you this will not involve you in any charge.

People that offer support to the Exchange come from a variety of backgrounds.

They are either successful practitioners, who have ‘been there, done it and have the scars to show for it’, sector friendly consultants, or useful contacts who have years of experience in the sector and are happy to pass on their knowledge.

If you would like to become a supporter of the Exchange and offer support to emerging or developing social enterprises please contact us and discuss things.

There are a wide variety of requests made to the Exchange.

Requests include links to tools and templates, contact details and introductions to specialists in certain fields and/or similar types of projects, brokering of support from sector-friendly professionals and signposting to the most appropriate agency support. Requests for meetings to discuss new ideas and challenges are also made to the Exchange.

This is not an exclusive list so if you have an issue you think the Exchange may be able to help with – get in touch.

The help available through the Exchange can range from contact details of a relevant person or organisation, arranging a meeting to discuss your needs or linking you up with someone who can give you practical advice on a specific problem.

The Exchange also develops Active Accounts.

There is no commitment expected from anyone asking for support. The advice and/or support can be acted on or not.

The only thing the Exchange would like to come from the support given is ‘exchange’.

If a support enquiry is made to the Exchange and you may be a suitable person to give this support we would like to be able to contact you and ask for your help.

Any individual or organisation that has social aims or a community benefit and is trying to income generate from their project or idea can access support. The legal structure, percentage of income generated or type of project does not influence the support available.

An Active Account is a level of Exchange support given when it is felt by both parties that a more prolonged period of support would be useful.