The SEC run a range of events and networking opportunities. 

The Exchange Open Event

Following the successful launch of The Exchange early this year, the beacon social enterprise recently threw open it's doors again to showcase the many services available at The Exchange.  The building hosted an Open Event on Wednesday 18th November from 4.30 - 7.00pm to allow local people to get a feel for whats on offer.

The Open Event enabled local people and businesses to drop in for a relaxed look around the newly refurbished and extended building and to find out more about what the facilities have to offer.

The innovative shared workspace was open with the opportunity to meet existing tenants and to find out more about the low cost rental options. Rates start from just £6 per day and include everything from business rates to unlimited tea and coffee, plus usage of the new meeting rooms.

Sarah Komnatskaya of Timebanking UK said: 'It is great to work with other local organisations in a community, sharing ideas and information, The Exchange is a fantastic place to work'.

There are also conferencing facilities on site, which were open to view and refreshments plus guided tours of the new facilities. The Exchange has been designed with the whole community in mind and is a perfect location for small businesses looking to move into a central location or people who are currently working from home and need a more permanent place to work. Plus the meeting facilities are ideal for anything from an art exhibition to a one off community meeting.

Gloucestershire Social Enterprise Forum & The Exchange Launch

The Social Enterprise Centre held The Gloucestershire Social Enterprise Forum on May 14th to celebrate the launch of The Exchange. The event included a great talk from Lucy Findlay, CEO of RISE, The Regional Infrastructure for Social Enterprise and celebrated the launch of Stroud's newest social enterprise and innovative shared workspace, The Exchange.

60 local people attended to hear from our guest speaker Peter Couchman, CEO of The Plunkett Foundation and to engage in healthy debate about the future of social enterprises, rural communites and our lcoal economy.  

An evening celebration also took place with local bands, food and drink. The evening party was a celebratory launch with a local band.

The Exchange is a workspace, providing support to community groups, charities and other social enterprises, and offering excellent facilities to community groups.  It is housed in an 1830s former girls school, refurbished at a cost of £220,000 and powered and heated using the latest green technologies.

 For further information on our speakers and their organisations, please visit

RISE - http://www.rise-sw.co.uk/

Plunkett Foundation - http://www.plunkett.co.uk/