Proper Good Mentoring scheme
Part of the Proper Good programme is our highly valued mentoring scheme. We spoke to a number of social entrepreneurs in Bolton who have seen their businesses blossom after working with a Proper Good mentor.
The mentors are highly experienced members of the local business community, committed to guiding people who put purpose before profit to success. At the end of the 10-week programme, there is also an opportunity to apply for £1,000 business development grant.
Nicolay Armando, Title Productions
Proper Good Mentor: Dominique Unsworth MBE, film producer and social entrepreneur
“The mentoring programme has had a profound impact on our business development, providing guidance, support, and resources that have accelerated our growth and success.
“It facilitated several new networks and collaborations, allowing us to connect with fantastic individuals and organisations. We are expecting an exciting future!
“Both our mentor and the workshops provided us with frameworks and tools that have been invaluable in our business development journey.
“We have now opened our CIC Uncivilised Media, finalised our website and made significant progress in business development, strategic planning, and networking.”
Jennifer Calhoun and Laura Salmon, Breakdown Bolton
Proper Good Mentor: Lory Povah, creative health consultant and business owner
“We needed support in networking and business opportunities, organisation and planning and preparation for our social investment loan application.
“After brainstorming with Lory, we worked out main priorities and what strengths each of us bring to our organisation. We also looked at some of the main concepts from the Proper Good workshops in more detail.
“Having a mentor helped us focus on what we need to do before we apply for social investment and how to reach out to other business support organisations within Bolton. “Lory shared a wealth of networking contacts and links for business development opportunities with us.
“We have since developed a new range of Bolton- based products and believe it will reach a new audience. We now have new orders from a fellow CIC!”
John Hasting, Recycle-IT!
Proper Good Mentor: Kerry Tottingham, A Brilliant Thing CIC
“We have positioned ourselves in Bolton Market Place and become a social value partner with the local authority as a direct result of going through the Proper Good mentoring.
“Kerry came in and did some one-to-one work with us, opened our eyes up to what other revenue streams were available. We brought them in, locked them down, reapplied for social investment and were successful.
“As we stepped up to the plate, the local authority recognised what we do, engaged with us and we became a social value partner.
Lisa Murray, The Karmic Collective
Proper Good Mentor: Jenny Matthews, The Bridge Enterprise CIC
“We were one of the first to be invited onto the pioneering Proper Good mentoring programme.
“It completely changed the way that we operate. Before it was a very heart-centred social enterprise, but I was burning out doing everything myself and using my own finances.
“Jenny taught us how to see it not just as a CIC: you need to run it as a business. We had monthly meetings where she would set me tasks such as start your website, establish income streams. Now the money that we make from paid sessions then pays to offer sessions for free in other areas and pay for room hire.
“The £1,000 grant from Proper Good after we finished the mentoring has helped massively with marketing, buying stock, putting sessions on and getting qualified in mental health first aid.”
The Proper Good programme is hosted by GMCVO and delivered by local partners Bolton CVS. Our fourth cohort will begin in May. If you think you and your business could benefit from this unique and bespoke development opportunity, please contact me at lisa@boltoncvs.org.uk for a chat and details of how to apply.
