Summary
Action Community Enterprises [ACE] is a social enterprise operating under the legal structure of a community interest company [CIC]. ACE aims not only to provided education and training to those people who need it most but also provide opportunities for these people to put what they have learnt into practice within its workplace enterprises.
ACE aims to ensure that its activities benefit the community and that it provide opportunities through the development of social enterprises. It also aims to be the preferred supplier for the delivery of training and accredited qualifications.
ACE is an evolving organisation, its first enterprise has been developed which takes the form of a Community Garage, (ACE Garage), a workshop providing automotive services to members of the public and members of community groups. This provides real work placement opportunities to those who need it most while generating an income through trading as a garage completing car servicing and repairs, this alongside special projects and training contributes toward the workshop overheads. Under the CIC regulations any surplus generated is then reinvested for community benefit.
ACE is currently developing a second enterprise, Recycling Cycles, to support rural transport and develop new skills for people within communities. In the future the company plans to develop other enterprise businesses and are currently researching the labour market trends [LMT] to ensure any new projects are within the areas of need, which is key to their success.
Mission
To operate social enterprises for the purpose of community benefit through providing education, training and work which otherwise may not be available.
Location
Norfolk, UK
Key personnel
Louise Gardiner, managing director, ACE
ACE is run by Louise Gardiner (Lou). Lou comes to the business with a commercial background, having previously worked for local authority and commercial business in sport, leisure and hospitality working her way up through the ranks to general manager of a multi-site facility.
In 2006, Lou gave up her secure job and moved north to follow a dream of developing and running her own business, which was successfully sold in 2010. After returning home to Norfolk, Lou went back to College to undertake a teaching degree, and gained her A1 Assessors Award. She is able to teach in the following areas: employability, personal and social development, sport, leisure and hospitality, leadership, management and starting new businesses.
Contacts and social media
Email: info@ace-project.org.uk
Telephone: 01603 720308
Website: http://www.ace-project.org.uk/
Twitter: @AceProject1
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