Acumen Development Trust operates as a social enterprise with a mix of commissioned and contracted work from a range of sources including:
u | Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme - subcontractor to Avanta |
u | Durham County Council Adult and Community Learning |
u | Skills Funding Agency ESF Community Grants - capacity building |
u | The Big Lottery Fund and a range of charitable and grant making bodies |
The support received from the Northern Rock Foundation from 2004-2007 was invaluable in helping Acumen move from a small local charity to its current size and scope. We also thank the Social Enterprise Loan Fund (North East), Social Investment Business and Lloyds TSB for their support with loan finance and banking.
Funding is used in innovative and flexible ways to support individuals into learning, employment and enterprise. Acumen engages with people in communities through funded learning activities and supports those individuals who are ready to take steps towards employment as well as working with those who may not be ready in ways that increase their motivation, confidence and skills to break down perceived barriers to help them realise their full potential.