About the workshop

This workshop helps leaders get clear on the foundations of their organisation: their vision, their mission and their values.

Starting with “start with why” thinking, you’ll explore the difference you want to make in the world, before working through a practical process to define your own vision statement, identify your core values, and turn those values into everyday behaviours.

You’ll then build a mission statement that sets out what you’re doing, who it’s for, and the difference you’re making, before looking at how to stress-test it against the real world.

The session is highly interactive, mixing short input from the facilitator with individual thinking time and small-group discussion, so you leave with a first draft of your vision, values and mission ready to refine.

  • Why the ‘why’ behind your offer matters, and how to explore it
  • How to define an aspirational vision statement
  • How to identify your organisation’s core values
  • How to turn values into real, everyday behaviours
  • How to write a mission statement that describes what you do, for whom, and the difference you make
  • How to stress-test your vision, values and mission in the real world

  • Gain clarity on the difference you want to make, and why it matters
  • Leave with a first draft vision statement to inspire your team, funders and supporters
  • Identify values you can embed in how your organisation actually behaves
  • Create a mission statement you can use in funding bids, on your website and with partners
  • Build confidence in testing and refining these foundations over time

This workshop takes place on Zoom and is designed to be interactive throughout.

  • Interactive: you’ll take part in breakout room discussions with other entrepreneurs, exploring your challenges and hopes for the session
  • Get the concepts: the facilitator introduces key thinking, including Simon Sinek’s “start with why” approach
  • Practical: you’ll work through practical exercises to draft your own vision, values and mission statement during the session, ready to refine afterwards

13:00 – Welcome, check in and learning aims
13:10 – Challenges and hopes
13:30 – The power of why
13:55 – Using your why to define your vision
14:10 – Break
14:20 – Identifying your values, and making values real through behaviours
15:15 – Break
15:25 – Creating your mission statement
15:50 – How to test your vision, values and mission, and next steps
16:00 – Close

This workshop is open to anyone to join from anywhere in the world, and is particularly useful for leaders who are starting up or shaping a new social project, charity, social enterprise, community business or group.

It’s especially valuable if you haven’t yet defined your vision, values and mission, or want to revisit and sharpen them, for example to strengthen a funding bid, align your team, or bring more clarity to your website and pitch.

Lorem ipsum

About the trainer

This workshop will be led by one of SSE’s specialist in-house facilitators. Each year, these facilitators deliver thousands of hours of learning and support to social enterprises across the UK. They draw on SSE’s long experience of working with funders big and small to help a diverse range of people strengthen their organisations and increase their impact.

Students taking part in an SSE programme

FAQ

If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.

Yes, we can offer any of our workshops or completely bespoke training on request. Please contact us to discuss the options.

You are very welcome to book for multiple people but each individual joining the workshop must be booked on to join, even if sharing a computer. You can select your number of tickets when you make your booking.

If you are booking for 3 or more people, feel free to contact us to enquire about a group discount.

Cancellations or booking changes can be made up until 7 days before the workshop. You may change the name of the person attending at any time but only one person can join the course per booking.

If you wish to make a change or cancellation please contact us and state the name of the workshop and email address used to make the booking.

This workshop takes place online via Zoom. Once you have booked your place you will receive joining instructions in your confirmation email and in reminders closer to the time of the workshop.

All currently available dates are listed in the Book now section. We run most of our workshops repeatedly throughout the year, so if you cannot see further dates, they may not have yet been scheduled. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to be kept up to date.

We do not record all our workshops as they are interactive workshops and watching back a recording does not provide the value of taking part live. It also allows people to speak more freely when taking part in discussions within the workshop.

Please see our section on Prices.

At the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), we back people with purpose. With practical learning that makes sense in the real world. With funding that grows as you grow. With mentors, peers and people who’ve been there and done it. We don’t care where you started. We care about where you’re going and the difference you want to make in your life, in your community, and in the world.

Find out more about SSE here.

You can see the times under the dates in the Book Now section. All the workshops are on London, UK time.

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please feel free to contact us.

Prices

Select a date in the Book Now section to see prices. Please note:

  • The price is based on your organisation’s total annual income, regardless of profit.
  • Our pricing is designed to be as accessible as possible for people wanting to create impact at any scale.
  • The prices you can see are already heavily discounted, particularly for smaller organisations.
  • There are no additional discounts for not-for-profits or government organisations.
Early bird tickets

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.

Group bookings

If you would like to make a booking for 3 or more places please contact us to get a price for a group discount.

Bespoke training and support

We have a range of options for delivering impactful training to your organisation or organisations you support. Get in touch to find out more.

Latest resources & news

A woman stands delivering a presentation to people out of shot
21 September, 2026
  • News
  • News

200 grassroots organisations to receive funding and training in boost to government's fight against homelessness

The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) and charity School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) have launched a nine-month accelerator, the DPS Social Commitment Programme.

An illustration of three houses surrounded by blue skies
8 September, 2026
  • Videos & webinars
  • Explore options / I’m not sure yet

Webinar: More than a roof - how can social enterprises help people find and keep a stable home?

Jerry During MBE, Ryan McKiernan and Pam Orchard discuss how social enterprises can tackle homelessness, address its wider causes and help people move from crisis towards lasting housing stability.

Three people talking on a stage during a panel session at SSE's Mission Economy Summit
20 August, 2026
  • News
  • Uncategorized

Understanding racial disparities in social enterprise growth

Book now