Social Networking Sites have become a global phenomenon, with communities such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo reporting user figures in the hundreds of millions. Through networks it is possible to identify people who share common interests, professions and pastimes. The public sector is increasingly recognizing the value of social networking sites to provide easy and accessible information about policies and services. A new service launch in Scotland means that 2009 is likely to be a watershed year in local and central government communications.

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The investment boom that has seen independent sector mental health hospital capacity leap by 35 per cent in the last 5 years is set to come to an end as a result of the credit crunch according to a report from health care market intelligence specialists Laing & Buisson.

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This report from the Office of the Third Sector describes the outcome of projects designed to promote private investment in social enterprises.

Community Innovation UK led the project which created a Social Enterprise Angel Network to encourage greater use of equity finance by social enterprises and greater investment into the sector by private investors. The project worked with investors to help them engage with social enterprises and understand their own unique mix of blended value. Outcomes of the project include provision of education and advice to over 35 social enterprises, and approximately 800,000 pounds of new private investment into the sector, with other deals in development. Future outcomes will include specialist consultancy on investment readiness, further development of the Social Enterprise Angel Network, and the potential for a complementary fund.

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