Support, Empower & Connect

At The Engine we work to inspire local entrepreneurs to develop new social businesses that connect and empower to generate opportunities in our community. We support social business start-ups by providing leadership, mentoring, investment and by launching our own local examples.  We aim to:

• Support and connect local businesses to help them thrive and grow

• Provide education and training to give local businesses and residents the opportunity to gain skills, develop ideas and be inspired

• Provide leadership and mentoring opportunities through developing successful local social enterprises

Project with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, Gloucester Services, and Hobbs House Bakery

Four budding producers got the chance to create a brand new product, which is now on sale at the award-winning Gloucester Services. The Limited Edition Milk Loaf with Fenugreek, was created by aspiring food producers from our local communities, and baked by our friends at Hobbs House Bakery. The project is part of the Limited Edition business skills course expertly delivered by The Engine.

“Enterprising People” with Rednock School

We are developing an Enterprising Project with Rednock School, based around Personal Development with Year 12 students, and we have hosted a workshop at the school to start the ball rolling. We were also happy to host a work experience placement in June 2023: “It sounds like it was a very successful week….. which will stand to her in the future.” More news to follow - watch this space!

Start-up social enterprise incubation hub

Change only happens when individuals step up. It’s not about bold statements or grand plans but instead is about starting something new and inviting others to join in. We have built a hub for new social business leaders to come and get support, investment and resources they need to see a new future emerge.

It might be that your idea sounds small and simple but in reality most social change starts with things that seem small and simple - a young Greta Thunberg sitting outside her school or a Mark Zuckerberg starting a new social network aimed at students in a single American university - but they can change the world.

If you have an idea of something that might help Cam and Dursley be a better place to live then please get in contact or come & speak to us. We are here to help.

Cam and Dursley business survey 2023

The survey was designed to help The Engine to support the development of the local business community, and to help us to identify ways to deliver our objectives.

• 825 invitations were sent out by post and 54 responses received

• 56% of local business have a single employee – many of whom work from home

Some other key findings can be seen here:

The full report and executive summary of the report can be accessed below: