Merseyside Third Sector Technology Centre (3tc) was established in 2002, having previously traded under the name Sefton Neighbourhood Initiative Project (SNIP) since 1991. The charity expanded rapidly on the back of investment from the Government’s Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and European funding. Such expansion was necessary in order for 3tc to develop technology-based resources and products to meet (and stimulate) the growing demand for Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the Third Sector. By so doing the charity has acquired experience of introducing new technological solutions to the sector including wireless networks and open source software.

3tc SOLUTIONS LIMITED

3tc’s trading arm is 3tc Solutions Limited that has been established to develop new social enterprise trading activities. The company’s focus is on delivering a range of ICT products and services to, amongst others, business start-ups and small-to-medium sized enterprises. Supported by the established resources of 3tc, the company intends to exploit the commercial opportunities afforded by growing ICT use. This is reflected in demand from the small business sector on Merseyside and the increasing involvement of social enterprises in supporting the public sector. Any surpluses generated from Virtual Office will be used to underpin 3tc’s charitable objectives. More importantly 3tc wants, via its trading arm, to develop a funding model more geared towards earned income as SRB and European funding streams come to an end.

Crucially the experience, skills and knowledge acquired in developing new profitable trading activities will be transferred back to the voluntary sector at subsidised prices. This will contribute significantly to 3tc’s aim of expanding the Third Sector’s ICT capacity to:

• Help drive up productivity and competitiveness
• Contribute towards socially inclusive wealth creation
• Enable individuals and communities to work towards the regeneration of local neighbourhoods
• Showcase new ways to deliver public services
• Help develop an inclusive society and active citizenship

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

3tc Solutions Limited intends to seek partnership opportunities with the private sector and contribute towards the Government agenda of transforming public sector services. “Social enterprises are dynamic, progressive businesses that we can all learn from. They experiment and innovate, and have the advantage of being able to draw upon best practice in the voluntary sector, as well as the entrepreneurial flair that exists in the best of our companies” (HEWITT, 2002).  

3tc Solutions Limited also aims to target organisations that provide incubation services and support to small and developing businesses in Merseyside, particularly those emerging from marginalised communities or from groups that are under-represented in the local economy.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

As a responsible social enterprise the company observes the following principles:

To maintain a strong social purpose, demonstrating a genuine concern for the local economy and the environment.

Pursue a comprehensive commitment to ethics and accountability, both in operations and governance, and ensure that suppliers, business partners and investors maintain similar ethical principles.

Equip employees with the skills, values and confidence to create a corporate culture that encourages continuous social performance improvement.