Community Enterprise

Community Enterprise is an exciting initiative, delivered by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership, in partnership with the National Centre for Rural Health and Care and Community Catalyst.

After a successful first cohort throughout 2025, the programme has been updated and extended and is now available throughout the East Lindsey district.

The programme offers support to local people, to set up and run their own small community enterprises who will offer a range of help and support within the home for older people and/or disabled people who want to live life their way.

Community Enterprises (CMEs) are helping people expand options and deliver more personalised support, with the goal of keeping their customers happy, safe, and independent in their own homes wherever possible.

• Do you have an idea that could help older or disabled people?
• Do you need help to turn your idea into a community venture or business?
• Do you want to be your own boss and work on a self-employed basis offering care and support?
• Are you already helping people and would like to do more?
• Are you already delivering care and support?
• Are you already running a business including jobs such as caring, cleaning or gardening?
• Are you looking for a fresh start? Wanting to build something meaningful and rewarding?

If you can answer yes then this project may be the perfect opportunity for you. Whatever your background, you can make a real difference to people lives.

What type of Community Enterprises can qualify for the programme?

A Community Enterprise (CME) is a small independent business. This could be a Sole Trader, working self-employed, Partnership, Limited Company, Community Interest Company (CIC) or Charity. That provides care and support services within your local community.

All Community Enterprises must:

• Currently provide, or intend to provide, support to elderly people, individuals with learning disabilities or people who suffer with their mental health or wellbeing.
• Have 8 or fewer full-time equivalent workers – employees or volunteers
• Be totally independent of a larger or parent organisation
• Live or provide in the East Lindsey area

 Types of Community Enterprises

Across East Lindsey, we’re developing and supporting local people who are offering arrange of different kinds support from:

• Home care - which may include
  • Help with daily living tasks
  • Cooking, Cleaning and laundry
  • Help with paperwork, bills, or correspondence
  • Collecting prescriptions, groceries, and household essentials
  • Support to stay well, socialise, and remain independent care
• Gardening
• Handy Person
• Pet care
  • Dog walker
  • Animal sitter
• Community groups
• Fitness classes

By using this local approach, we’re building strong, inclusive, and well-trained enterprises. This ensures individuals receive care or support that is friendly, professional, local, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective.

Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership runs a development programme which can offer you a friendly and supportive point of contact to explore ideas, support you to develop your community enterprise, give you practical information on regulation, offer training and opportunities in the health and social care sector and direct you to other organisations who can help.

We offer a range of FREE support to help you start, grow, and sustain your business.

• Guidance to set up and run your own business
• Small grant to help with startup fees*
• Help with DBS’s
• Access to free or low-cost training
• Key contacts and sign posting
• Networking opportunities and ongoing professional support
• Information, advice, and portfolio development guidance
• Marketing
• Free directory platform to advertise (will be live soon).
• Support is unique to your own needs.

We work closely with community groups, Local Authorities, and health partners. As a CME, we can help you design bespoke services that reflect your unique strengths — ensuring your services are in demand.

*We recommend that if you are in receipt of any benefits or entitlements, please check eligibility with your work coach.

While a Community Enterprises work within the community, being part of the Community Enterprise project network means you’re trained and competent in delivering a service.

For example, a Cleaner might simply clean and tidy a home — but a Community Enterprise Cleaner might also offer an holistic approach such as friendly chat, prepare some food or other jobs, enjoy a cup of tea with the person, and provide a reassuring wellbeing check, helping them feel safe and connected. Knowingly they are running legally, safely and sustainably.