By Claire Racine

Social enterprises which improve the quality of health and social care for local communities can now apply for loans and grants from the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund, care services minister Phil Hope has announced.

The Fund has helped 200 social enterprises by investing over £20 million since it was first launched in 2007.

There is more than £70 million available for start-up and existing social enterprises over the next three years.

“Social enterprises have the power to connect and engage with communities and offer innovative ways to improve the quality of care for people,” Hope said. The backing provided will help social enterprises transform health and social care services and improve the health and well-being of local communities, he added.

The fund is being delivered by Futurebuilders England and Partnerships UK, who will work with the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Unit to support and assess applications to the fund.

“This fund can really help organisations working to deliver innovative health or social care services locally, with access to grants and loans,” said Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of Futurebuilders England. “We are also offering additional support to help them succeed through better management and use of funding.”

New and existing organisations can apply for investments by visiting http://www.dh.gov.uk/seif or calling 0191 269 2276.

The funding application process takes approximately six weeks.