The Social Enterprise Centre (SEC) is based in the centre of Stroud and covers the whole of the county of Gloucestershire. Established in 2002, the SEC provides a range of advice and support services to emerging and existing social enterprises and community businesses.

The purpose of the SEC is to enable the development of social enterprise by offering tools for individual initiative and community enterprise countywide. Individuals or groups wanting to set up or develop their project or business as a social enterprise can make use of our increasing range of services. Everything we do is guided by a clear set of values and principles.

What are Social Enterprises?

Social Enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.

Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy.  By using business solutions to achieve public good , we believe that social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy....

Latest News

The Exchange now has workspaces available

Stroud's innovative shared workspace The Exchange currently has a small selection of workstations available to rent.  The well appointed spaces are available from just £6 per day and would suit self employed people looking for a more permanent working environment to small buisnesses looking to house a number of employees.

The Exchange is housed in an 1830s stone building which was once Stroud’s first all girls school.  Fully refurbished, it now provides affordable workspace and meeting facilities for micro-businesses, social enterprises, community groups and charities.

The Exchange is probably the most “green” building in central Stroud, with ground source heat for our underfloor heating, photovoltaics generating our electricity and solar panels heating our water. It is also the most accessible building in Stroud, we aim to cater for every form of disability.  

To find out more or to arrange a viewing, pleae email or call Reli on info@secglos.org.uk or (01453) 762271.