Catalyst Science Discovery Centre to benefit from unique funding

Charitable Trust, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, will soon be marketing itself more widely and raising its profile both regionally and nationally thanks to financial support from a unique loan fund.

A recently awarded loan from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) will help enable Catalyst to deliver its objectives of increasing the breadth of Science Education it offers and broaden opportunities for young people to access Catalyst. In addition, Catalyst hopes to strengthen the team by creating a vacancy for a Marketing and Promotions Manager to ensure the unique Science Discovery Centre is actively promoted both across the North West and throughout the UK.

Thanks to a recently awarded grant of £500,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), TSELF can provide Small Loans for Social Enterprise awards up to £50,000 to help even more organisations like Catalyst in the North West region.

With four award-winning galleries, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and museum is devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in every day life.

Julie Burgess-Wilson, Catalyst CEO, said “Catalyst is dedicated to promoting the excitement of science to all visitors and in particular engaging with young people to ensure that hands on science is accessible. We are keen to develop a genuine interest in all things scientific and for visitors to explore and develop their interest both during and after their visit here! We believe our unique facility offers something for everyone. The support of TSELF is invaluable to Catalyst as we try to develop our offer and link with a wider group of potential visitors and stakeholders alike.

Roy White, North West Regional Director at TSELF, said: “There is a vibrant social enterprise sector in the North West which we are committed to helping to grow.

“Catalyst offers something unique, with a range of lessons and interactive shows, and we are thrilled to be able to assist in this way.

“The grant from the NWDA and the ERDF is a great boost, and we are now looking forward to working with more social enterprises, charities and small businesses across the region that are unable to secure sufficient funding from mainstream sources.”

Social enterprise organisations throughout the UK are bucking the trend and thriving in the difficult economic climate and the Social Enterprise Movement as a whole, is now made up of tens of thousands of organisations and accounts for more than one per cent of the UK’s total economy.

Roy White added: “The work of social enterprises is invaluable and we are keen to hear from such organisations which need to secure additional funding.

“TSELF provides loans to social enterprises and charities ranging from £3,000 to £250,000. We are here to help, so we would encourage any social enterprises looking for loans, to contact us immediately.”

TSELF has, to date, invested £8million in social enterprises across the UK, helping clients to generate job opportunities as well as training places.