The Social Enterprise Investment Fund, which offers grants and loans to the health and social care sector, is now open for business under the management of Government-backed loan fund Futurebuilders England and infrastructure body Partnerships UK.

The Fund was set up in 2007 as part of the Government's plans for stimulating expansion in the role of social enterprise in the provision of health and social care.

By enabling social enterprises to deliver health and social care services, the Social Enterprise Investment Fund aims to improve the quality of services for patients.

Who can apply?
Social enterprises that can apply to SEIF include:
• Multi-agency partnerships, particularly voluntary and community groups wishing to use their expertise to provide services across health and social care
• Existing social enterprises looking to expand into health and social care
• Groups of professionals, such as nurses or therapists, seeking to form a social enterprise to deliver their services using the ‘right to request'
• All social enterprises who apply would be expected to have a ‘not for profit' status.

For further information, visit: www.dh.gov.uk/seif or contact 0191 269 2276