Businesses which aim to help society could find support from a new social enterprise project which has been launched in Seven Kings.

The Sophia Hub is based at St John’s Church, St Johns Road and is open to anyone who needs some help getting their business off the ground.

Organisers hope that this project will be the first of numerous hubs around the borough which can work together to encourage social enterprises.

The Rev Jonathan Evens, from the church, said: “Whilst there are increasing numbers of faith-based social enterprises starting up around the country there is as yet very little joining up of the different projects and adding up of their value to advocate for greater investment and support.”

The project will offer space for people to work in during the early stages of their business, help find start up funding as well as training and mentoring schemes.

The Rev Evens said: “It will provide a network organisation for existing faith based business, incubating as well as developing a model for starting them up and providing services to enable that process which builds on existing community engagement.”

Organisers aim to give support to any business which is community focused and fills a gap in services which are already provided.

Sophia Hubs is collaborating with the Cathedral Innovation Centre which launched its own hub at Portsmouth Cathedral.

He added: “One strand of the vision to research into the resources of faith and wisdom for business and to help overcome the split in thinking about faith and work.

“Social enterprises have the potential to connect the private and not-for-profit sectors in ways which challenge and change both sectors.”

Myra Whiskar will be the administrator for the Sophia Hub and it will be open for business in September.

n For more information about what the hub could offer your business visit www.stjohns7 kings.org.uk.