Only Connect Visit Scheme

If you are new to income generation we believe you can learn a lot about what to do, or more importantly, what not to do from other organisations in the sector. The Only Connect scheme allows you to do just that.

What's new - July/August 2009

• Case study: Castle Vale Community Regeneration Services gained advice about developing an employment support service for local residents

• 6 months on: read how Bell View (Belford) are moving towards generating income from providing community transport

• Keen to get involved? Deadline is 11 September 2009 - learn how to apply for a bursary 

• Host: become and find a host - check out our new hosts

  Sponsored by

Only Connect is a visit scheme sponsored by Triodos Bank. It enables you to visit another voluntary and community organisation (VCO) to learn about their experience and the key issues to consider when generating earned income.  

NB - this scheme applies to organisations based in England only.

How does it work?

We pay £150 for your time and travel to visit another organisation to learn about how they have diversified their income into trading or public service delivery or by using loan finance. We will pay the host organisation £200 as a consultation fee for their time spent with you. 

All we ask in return is that you write a report of the visit so we can allow others to share your learning. 

So, if you would like to:

• Pursue a new trading idea
• Learn about the delivery of public services under contract
• Use a loan to increase the capacity of your organisation to do either of the above 

then apply to Only Connect and learn from colleagues in the sector.

Applicant: would you like to apply for a bursary? 

Visit our applicant’s page to download an application form and to view a step-by-step guide to the application process.

The bursaries are awarded every three months - closing date for the next round is 11 September 2009.

Host: would you like to be a host? 

Visit our host information page to register your details and view a step-by-step guide to being an Only Connect host.  

Browse the Find a Host directory. 

Case studies 

To read and learn from previous visits, look at the Only Connect case studies  

Triodos Bank

Social banking specialist, Triodos Bank, supports Only Connect. Sue Cooper, Senior Manager of their Social Banking Team, explains why

"Only Connect is a simple, but exciting idea. Hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations across the country know how to run financially sound businesses that directly contribute to their success. Helping to share their expertise could have far-reaching benefits.'"

To find out more about what banking ethically can do for you, visit Triodos online or call 0117 980 9788.

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