[vc_row][vc_column][ish_blog_media][vc_column_text]The Yellow Jigsaw team have been beneficiaries of Women Supporting Social Entrepreneurs (WSSE) and now we’re giving back to enable Greater Manchester women to pursue their social enterprise ambitions.

On International Women’s Day last week, the Women Supporting Social Entrepreneurs network launched their second Crowdfunding #InvestInWomen campaign, which will provide financial assistance and mentoring to kick-start the careers of budding female social entrepreneurs.

Last year we were beneficiaries of the mentoring scheme. This year we are on the other side of the table, pledging financial support to help the Crowdfund campaign reach its target.

It is not an overstatement to say that being a part of this network is one of the reasons why, in less than 12 months, Yellow Jigsaw has become a social enterprise that can demonstrate social impact, financial success and, most recently, a new office.

Being introduced to Nickala Torkington and WSSE opened doors to a world of opportunity: we attended learning and development events and met like-minded entrepreneurs who shared our goals and values. We developed our processes and infrastructure thanks to our inspirational mentor Julie Besbrode from Little Red Pen Consutancy; who used her experience of co-founding a multi-million pound events company to support our business planning.

We were not the only social entrepreneurs to gain from being a part of WSSE. Using a lean delivery model based upon seed funding and the passion of women across private, public and voluntary sectors, Women Supporting Social Entrepreneurs facilitated twelve peer support sessions, brokered sixteen mentor relationships and distributed six grants in 2015.

This year the scheme aims to increase its support to reach even more women by raising £4000; 50% of the money raised will be invested directly into the enterprise ideas of local women and the other 50% will support the development of a peer network offering training, mentoring, showcasing women change makers & events to inspire women on their entrepreneurial journey.

Women are, or are wanting to, create social change across Greater Manchester. Join us and #InvestInWomen to inspire and support more women to make an impact across the region.

Find out more about the CrowdFund campaign here.