COMPLETED FUNDED PROGRAMME | SODEXO SOCIAL IMPACT
Creating Accessible Training Opportunities Through Corporate Social Investment
This funded programme has now ended. The information on this page is retained to provide an overview of the programme and training delivered. Courses and funded places previously offered through this programme are no longer available.
Historic overview
The Sodexo Funded Training Programme 2023–24 provided free online training for SMEs, VCSEs, start-ups, sole traders and diverse-owned organisations across Kent and North Wales.
Working in partnership with Sodexo, Social Enterprise Kent developed and coordinated a programme of practical training designed to support organisations with skills that could strengthen their people, workplaces and wider business development.
Five live online courses were delivered between March and May 2024, combining training developed and delivered by SEK with specialist sessions delivered by Sodexo. SEK managed the wider programme, including marketing, bookings, learner communications, online facilitation, feedback and reporting.
Status: This funded programme has now been completed.
Developing the Programme
Following initial discussions with Sodexo, SEK developed a training offer that could reach organisations across two geographically distinct areas while remaining practical and accessible for smaller organisations.
Potential subjects were considered against the needs of the target audience, with the final programme combining leadership, wellbeing, workplace practice, digital skills and sustainability.
SEK adapted its own courses for the programme and worked alongside Sodexo to incorporate specialist sessions delivered by their team, creating a varied programme with expertise from both partners.
Who Was the Programme For?
The funded opportunity supported:
- SMEs and micro businesses
- VCSE organisations
- Start-ups
- Sole traders
- Diverse-owned businesses
- Eligible organisations across Kent and North Wales
Online delivery enabled organisations across both areas to participate without the additional time or cost associated with travelling to training.
Supporting managers to recognise mental health concerns, understand their responsibilities and build a more positive and supportive workplace culture.
Delivered by Social Enterprise Kent | 20 March 2024
Developing practical leadership, communication and conflict-resolution skills to help create stronger working relationships with employees, colleagues and contacts.
Delivered by Social Enterprise Kent | 28 March 2024
Increasing awareness of modern slavery and helping organisations understand an important area of responsible and ethical business practice.
Delivered by Sodexo, facilitated by Social Enterprise Kent | 17 April 2024
Helping organisations build their understanding of sustainability and consider how environmental responsibility and net-zero ambitions relate to their business.
Delivered by Sodexo, facilitated by Social Enterprise Kent | 23 April 2024
Helping smaller organisations understand social media platforms, make informed choices and use digital channels more effectively to support their organisation.
Delivered by Social Enterprise Kent | 1 May 2024
What Our Learners Said
More Than Course Delivery
SEK managed the participant journey from initial promotion and eligibility checks through to booking, learner communications, live delivery, feedback and certification.
The programme was promoted through SEK’s networks and digital channels, with participants supported through a structured booking and communication process. Each training event also incorporated an opportunity for networking, extending the experience beyond the taught content.
Value Beyond the Training
The programme extended SEK’s reach into new business networks and created relationships that continued beyond the funded training.
It also strengthened the developing partnership between SEK and Sodexo, demonstrating how corporate social investment could be translated into practical learning opportunities for smaller businesses and community organisations.
Participant feedback showed strong satisfaction with the training, while the programme created further engagement with organisations that had not previously accessed SEK’s services.
Partnership and Social Impact
The programme also helped formalise an approach that was already closely aligned with SEK’s wider purpose as a social enterprise: working with a corporate partner to turn social impact commitments into direct opportunities for other organisations.
Working alongside Sodexo provided an opportunity to combine corporate social investment with SEK’s training expertise, community connections and experience of reaching smaller organisations.
That model subsequently provided a foundation for the partnership to develop further.
Looking to Fund Training Through SEK?
Turn your CSR, social value or community investment into practical training opportunities.
SEK works with businesses, commissioners and public sector organisations to develop funded training programmes around identified communities, sectors, workforces and local priorities.
From programme development and course design to marketing, recruitment, delivery and reporting, we can work with you to develop an approach that meets your objectives while creating meaningful opportunities for the people and organisations you want to support.
Programme Completed
The Sodexo Funded Training Programme 2023–24 has now been completed and these funded training sessions are no longer available.
This page remains available as a record of the programme, its reach and the impact created through partnership-funded training.
This programme marked an early stage in SEK’s funded training partnership with Sodexo, which continued to develop through further programmes in 2024–25 and 2025–26, creating additional training opportunities for organisations and communities.