Thought Leadership

Nickel Support, a Community Interest Company from Sutton, which works with adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, was celebrated as best ‘Heart of Gold’ business at this year’s Small Awards for their work within their community with their trainees, and for the social impact they are having beyond their community, through their retail project Interestingly Different. Interestingly Different is a gift and homeware shop and online retailer selling products from 33 social enterprises all of whom support adults with learning disabilities or people facing other life challenges. Nickel Support won the award which recognises the small businesses that contribute a bit extra to their local community. Working with other small businesses, local charities, schools, local councils or their local residents they have achieved great things. Owners Nick Walsh and Elena Nicola, who founded Nickel Support in 2012, were awarded at a sparkling celebration event in central London, hosted by presenter, writer, actor and comedian, Sue Perkins. Nick and Elena set up Nickel Support after they had become disillusioned by the learning disability sector as a whole. They felt that people with learning disabilities were being short changed by some of the more traditional services and that they deserved more. They set up Nickel Support with the goal of helping people with learning disabilities to lead purposeful and fulfilled lives. They focus on three  main areas: relationships, health and employment throughout all of the sessions and enterprises which they run. Since 2012 the company has gone from strength to strength and now works with over 120 trainees across two hubs - one in Cheam and one in Carshalton. In January 2023 they set up a retail branch of Nickel Support called Interestingly Different, with the goal of providing a platform for the trainees to sell the products made in the enterprise sessions, including upcycled furniture, a popular range of jams and chutneys and jesmonite homeware pieces. The other main goal was to provide training and paid employment opportunities through the Interestingly Different shop. Not satisfied with just supporting the Nickel Support trainees, Nick and Elena took it one step further, and decided to use Interestingly Different to support other social enterprises working with marginalised groups, which in turn offers shoppers a place where they can shop in a conscious and purposeful way. Interestingly Different now has five trainees in paid employment and are hoping to increase that number in the near future. Elena Nicola said, “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to have received this award. We are so grateful to have been recognised for the hard work that we are doing both within the learning disability world, but also further afield in our work with other social enterprises. We hope to continue to break down the barriers for our trainees and to see real and meaningful change in the perception of what people with learning disabilities are able to achieve.” In its eighth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates the nation’s 5.5 million small firms. Ninety small businesses were shortlisted across 11 Small Award categories, from ‘digital stars’, to ‘high street heroes’ and mission-driven businesses with a ‘heart of gold’. Nickel Support won the award alongside 10 other winning small firms from across the UK. “Congratulations to Nickel Support, who impressed our team and judges with their story of drive and innovation, and dedication to their community,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain and the Small Awards. “We are delighted to have celebrated with them at such a beautiful event that shines a much-needed light on so many extraordinary entrepreneurs, like Nick and Elena, and their fabulous businesses.”  Minister for Small Business Kevin Hollinrake MP, who attended The Small Awards and presented the Small Business of the Year Award said: “The Small Awards are a reminder of the innovation and tenacity that makes the UK’s small businesses the best in the world. I congratulate this year’s winners on their well-deserved awards and wish them every success for the future.”  The Small Awards are judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts. Guests at the event were treated to a dazzling display of entertainment by Europe’s largest gay male choir, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, along with fine food and drink by independent caterers. To find out more about the winners visit https://thesmallawards.uk/index.aspx#theAwards. About Nickel Support and Interestingly Different Nickel Support is a pioneering, award winning, not-for-profit community interest company set up in 2012, which works with over 120 adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. Nickel Support is based in Sutton and now works across their two branches in Carshalton and Cheam. Nickel Support was a finalist in the 2022 National SME Business Awards as well as in the 2022 Social Enterprise Awards; and was shortlisted for the 2023 Small Awards. Nickel Support was one of Natwest’s Pioneers Post Top 100 Social Enterprises in 2023. Interestingly Different is part of their parent organisation Nickel Support. Interestingly Different sources and sells a wide range of products from over 33 other UK based social enterprises, all of whom are working with adults with disabilities or facing life challenges. Interestingly Different is open Monday - Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and their website, not only sells their full product range, but also offers a fantastic insight to the work that they do. They also work with corporate clients providing monthly subscriptions of office supplies such as tea and coffee, alongside making gift hampers for staff and clients .  Each and every purchase helps towards the greater goal of an inclusive society where adults with disabilities are able to meet their potential and live a purposeful and fulfilled life. Interestingly Different was one of the Small Biz Saturday’s top 100 small businesses in the UK in 2023, and has since also been named as one of Theo Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday Winners.

The Glasshouse is a social enterprise that offers second chances to women prisoners as they reach the end of their sentence, giving them horticultural training and employment as part of its mission to reduce reoffering and support rehabilitation for people leaving prison. Women who have benefitted from the training at HMP East Sutton Park in Kent recreated the greenhouse there for an indoor garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The exhibit features house plants nurtured by women in prison and items representing their dreams and hopes. Glasshouse's work is based around the proven physical and emotional benefits that being close to nature provides. Plants in the workspace are proven to boost people's productivity, concentration and creativity, as well as cleaning toxins from the air and increasing oxygen levels. Rhi, a former prisoner who works with the Glasshouse, said it gave her "a purpose" and that she cried when she found out it was headed to the flower show. She said: "Often we are invisible or even hidden so for us to be embraced and have the opportunity... I just couldn't believe it."

Earlier this month, the Social Enterprise UK team was at The Workplace Event 2024 at Birmingham NEC and together with our partners Waste to Wonder Worldwide and Nineteen Group we were proud to launch the first ever Social Enterprise Village at an event of this scale. With 25 leading social enterprises exhibiting and over 5000 delegates attending across the three days, there were plenty of opportunities for the social enterprises to showcase their products and services and the social and environmental impact they have. From recycling services to tea, and from tackling period poverty to air quality, the event showcased the strength and diversity of the sector. In addition to giving the social enterprises a platform, it was great to see the number of organisations looking, often for the first time, to work more with our sector. More and more businesses are engaging with social enterprises to support their social value and environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives, highlighting the value of collaboration as the business community works towards creating a fairer and more sustainable society. We would like to thank all the social enterprises who participated in the event, as well as our partners, Waste to Wonder and Nineteen Group. We will continue to work together to drive the growth of the social enterprise movement and we look forward to the return of the Social Enterprise Village at The Workplace Event 2025.To find out more about the event, watch the video below produced by social enterprise, Inside Job Productions: https://vimeo.com/946139860 This is what some of our members who were exhibiting had to say about the event: Planet First Energy CIC "Planet First Energy CIC had an exceptional experience at the Workplace Event hosted at the NEC Birmingham within the innovative Social Enterprise village, facilitated by Social Enterprise UK and Waste to Wonder. Our Managing Director, Steve Silverwood, delivered an insightful session spotlighting our social enterprise's mission, services, and our commitment to tackling fuel poverty, drawing significant interest from attendees. Furthermore, we had the privilege to network with key personnel from Social Enterprise UK and forge valuable connections with fellow social enterprises, gaining insights into their impactful initiatives and exploring collaborative opportunities. The event served as a great platform to showcase our endeavours, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective efforts towards creating positive social change. We look forward to attending next year." Nuneaton Signs "We were very impressed by the Social Enterprise Village at the Workplace Show, it was great to network with other Social Enterprises and discover how they interact with the FM and workplace market. The chance to meet some of the Corporate Challenge partners was welcomed, we hope to continue our business development in this sector with them and look forward to following up. The pre event promotion was exceptionally good with the organised approach to Social Media posts being particularly valuable, we had a significant amount of interest, with many existing customers getting in touch." Belu "We enjoyed attending, especially meeting and chatting to our fellow social enterprises at the Workplace Event. It’s a relatively small world and great to meet likeminded folks who are using business as a mean for good! Social Enterprise UK is a fantastic organisation and are helping build a community with a rapidly growing influence in the UK economy"

Bounce Back, a charity and social enterprise, creates opportunities for young people and adults who have a history of or are at risk of offending to thrive, and ultimately help to shape a society where everyone can look forward to a bright future. It has been in operation since 2011 and supported nearly 10,000 people. The organisation provides end-to-end solutions focused around education, training and employment, working in prisons and in the community to provide holistic support. Shirley Riley, Director for Bounce Back, told us: “We believe everyone can change, and should be given the opportunity to do so. We provide this for people  inside and outside prison through diversionary activities, including City & Guilds training and wrap-around support into jobs with prospects, with a particular focus on construction trades.” Bounce Back’s charity funding comes mostly from contracts and grants, with around ten per cent from trusts and foundations as well as corporate sponsors. Its social enterprise, staffed by people who have accessed its services, started out in painting and decorating but now offers emergency repairs and maintenance for corporates,  charities and community groups. How Bounce Back works with central government departments. Bounce Back has worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as well as several local authorities. An example of its work includes the successful delivery of the ‘E-nuff’ Prison Leavers Project, funded by the MoJ through the Local Leadership and Integration Fund. E-nuff aimed to reduce reoffending through culturally informed holistic rehabilitation interventions, including resettlement planning and employment support. The programme was specifically designed for people serving a 12-month sentence or less with a focus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic prison leavers. In partnership with BeOnsite, Change Grow Live, A Fairer Chance and RISE, the initiative offered comprehensive access to the services required for a better experience on release and successful resettlement - from training and pre-employment support to family intervention and housing support, as well as services for substance misuse and other factors that contribute to rehabilitation. What are the benefits to government of working with VCSEs? Shirley believes that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) provide much more added value, going above and beyond the scope of commissioned services. When funders, and private sector providers invest in charities and social enterprises like Bounce Back, they also tap into and benefit from their extensive partnerships with local communities and groups, corporate partners, and employers – not to mention volunteers, who offer their time for free to make a difference. Shirley states: “VCSEs exist to make a difference, all our funding goes into making a difference to people’s lives, and communities.” Bounce Back’s work supporting those caught up in the criminal justice system also reduces the cost to wider society. As Shirley puts it: “If an individual can thrive, then the community thrives. If the community thrives, the whole borough thrives, and the economic climate improves. “By reducing re-offending, the cost savings to the government are significant, and also when people make positive behaviour changes, learn new skills and move from benefits to paid work. The average cost of a prison place in England and Wales is £46,696 a year (2021/22). People supported by Bounce Back are less likely to offend, with less than one in ten going on to re-offend, and three-quarters of those sustaining employment for at least six months (2021/22). “VCSEs can also better respond at speed and offer innovative solutions in a cost-effective way. They often go out of their way to “make things happen” - but this can put a squeeze on resources, especially given the uncertainty created by short term contracts.” What have been the main challenges in applying for government contracts? As mentioned, funding can be both short-term and not recurring. Shirley believes that - whilst this is great for testing new ways of working - if you evidence something works, there isn’t a way to scale and replicate so that it can be rolled out from short-term pilots to something permanent.  It’s also common for VCSEs to have to source contracts from different funding streams, to ensure people don’t fall through the gaps and get the support they need when they need it. Shirley commented: “It’s quite paradoxical that the work we’re trying to do is to help people have long term employment and long-term prosperity, yet the funds that they give us mean we’re employing people on short-term contracts.” She added: “Applying for funds requires resource, which for smaller VSCEs means leaders putting on one of their many hats and finding the time to apply.  At Bounce Back, we’re fortunate to have a small resource, but even we find it a struggle keeping up.” While Shirley has noticed social value in some tender questions, she felt it can be a bit “tokenistic” and framed too broadly. For example, criteria such as ‘employing local people’ overlook the additional benefits of working with an organisation like Bounce Back, which not only creates local jobs but also new opportunities specifically for those marginalised by the labour market. Based on a conversation with Shirley Riley, Director at Bounce Back bouncebackproject.com

Bounce Back, a charity and social enterprise, creates opportunities for young people and adults who have a history of or are at risk of offending to thrive, and ultimately help to shape a society where everyone can look forward to a bright future. It has been in operation since 2011 and supported nearly 10,000 people. The organisation provides end-to-end solutions focused around education, training and employment, working in prisons and in the community to provide holistic support. Shirley Riley, Director for Bounce Back, told us: “We believe everyone can change, and should be given the opportunity to do so. We provide this for people  inside and outside prison through diversionary activities, including City & Guilds training and wrap-around support into jobs with prospects, with a particular focus on construction trades.” Bounce Back’s charity funding comes mostly from contracts and grants, with around ten per cent from trusts and foundations as well as corporate sponsors. Its social enterprise, staffed by people who have accessed its services, started out in painting and decorating but now offers emergency repairs and maintenance for corporates,  charities and community groups. How Bounce Back works with central government departments. Bounce Back has worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as well as several local authorities. An example of its work includes the successful delivery of the ‘E-nuff’ Prison Leavers Project, funded by the MoJ through the Local Leadership and Integration Fund. E-nuff aimed to reduce reoffending through culturally informed holistic rehabilitation interventions, including resettlement planning and employment support. The programme was specifically designed for people serving a 12-month sentence or less with a focus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic prison leavers. In partnership with BeOnsite, Change Grow Live, A Fairer Chance and RISE, the initiative offered comprehensive access to the services required for a better experience on release and successful resettlement - from training and pre-employment support to family intervention and housing support, as well as services for substance misuse and other factors that contribute to rehabilitation. What are the benefits to government of working with VCSEs? Shirley believes that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) provide much more added value, going above and beyond the scope of commissioned services. When funders, and private sector providers invest in charities and social enterprises like Bounce Back, they also tap into and benefit from their extensive partnerships with local communities and groups, corporate partners, and employers – not to mention volunteers, who offer their time for free to make a difference. Shirley states: “VCSEs exist to make a difference, all our funding goes into making a difference to people’s lives, and communities.” Bounce Back’s work supporting those caught up in the criminal justice system also reduces the cost to wider society. As Shirley puts it: “If an individual can thrive, then the community thrives. If the community thrives, the whole borough thrives, and the economic climate improves. “By reducing re-offending, the cost savings to the government are significant, and also when people make positive behaviour changes, learn new skills and move from benefits to paid work. The average cost of a prison place in England and Wales is £46,696 a year (2021/22). People supported by Bounce Back are less likely to offend, with less than one in ten going on to re-offend, and three-quarters of those sustaining employment for at least six months (2021/22). “VCSEs can also better respond at speed and offer innovative solutions in a cost-effective way. They often go out of their way to “make things happen” - but this can put a squeeze on resources, especially given the uncertainty created by short term contracts.” What top tips do you have for VCSEs looking to work with government? Shirley has these top tips for VCSEs looking to apply for central government contracts: Make sure you’ve got your basics in place around how you describe yourself and your impact, and ensure you meet the needs they are looking for. Always ask for feedback on bids; it’s a great way to improve future applications. Bring talent from across your whole team into the tendering process - whether it’s the most junior or most senior person, use the skills you’ve got, rather than one person being all things to all people. The likelihood is that you’ll have talented people who are good at writing things. Based on a conversation with Shirley Riley, Director at Bounce Back bouncebackproject.com

This month marks a significant milestone for Tarem Services Limited as we celebrate 25 years of pioneering efforts as a social enterprise. Founded in 1999 with crucial initial support from The Prince's Trust, we have dedicated ourselves to tackling in-work poverty and promoting sustainable practices. Through our high quality cleaning and labour services, we lead in driving social value, demonstrating the power of integrating business excellence with profound social responsibility. Celebratory Highlights: A Commitment to Social and Environmental Progress The anniversary celebrations will spotlight Tarem Services' unwavering commitment to employee welfare and its influential role in enhancing community and environmental sustainability. Key events include: Youth Empowerment Initiative: The 'Empowering Young People Through Enterprise' event, scheduled for Tuesday, 14 May, in collaboration with The Prince’s Trust and the Young Lewisham Project, aims to spark an entrepreneurial spirit in young individuals and steer them towards sustainable futures. We are honoured to have the support of the Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres. Volunteer Initiatives: Employees from Tarem Services and CBRE will actively volunteer at local food banks - Burnt Oak Foodbank (9th May), White City Community Food Hub (13th May), and Community Food Enterprise (16th May). These efforts focus on combating food insecurity and strengthening community support, underscoring our commitment to these vital causes. Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Growth and Empowerment Titus Komolafe, Managing Director of Tarem Services, stated, "This milestone isn’t just a celebration of our past achievements; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to future growth and empowerment. We remain driven by the founding principles established with the invaluable support we’ve received from The Prince’s Trust, Social Enterprise UK, our clients, and other organisations we’ve worked with. This has empowered us to remain dedicated to fostering an environment where our employees thrive and driving social impact where our community flourishes.” A Supporting Voice from The Prince’s Trust: Kevin Sutton, Head of Service Delivery for London at The Prince's Trust, said, “At The Prince’s Trust, we work with young people from disadvantaged communities by supporting them in building the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn. The success of Tarem Services Limited is evidence that when young people receive support in the early days of starting a business, there will be a benefit to both the wider community and future economy for decades to come.” To find out more about Tarem Services Limited, visit www.taremservices.com   About Tarem Services Tarem Services Limited is a pioneering social enterprise with a critical mission to tackle in-work poverty, particularly among cleaners in the UK. Established in 1999, with the support of a Prince’s Trust grant, the company has evolved into a beacon of ethical business practices, offering a range of professional services, including cleaning, construction labour, pest control, and waste management. Our business model uniquely integrates high-quality service delivery with a strong commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Toast, the beer brand that brews using surplus bread, is offering punters the chance toexperience the outdoors inside their local. The B-Corp certified brewery is treating selectedlucky pub-goers to a unique experience - with a pint poured from the world’s first “living”beer fount. HEINEKEN is supporting Toast in their mission, and as part of this commitment, they arecurrently trialling Toast beer at selected locations within their pub business, Star Pubs.Toast’s Rise Up Lager will be available on draught in select pubs from May. Toast is a craft brewery that uses surplus bakery bread to brew its beers, with all profitsgoing to environmental charities. Toast has been working with HEINEKEN since 2022 as astrategic investor, focussing on research and development, as part of HEINEKEN’s net zeroambitions. Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director, Star Pubs says, “We are thrilled to partnerwith Toast, an innovative and exciting brand, to trial the 'living fount'. It is an eye-catchinginitiative that will get beer drinkers talking over their pint, and brings the topic ofsustainability literally to the bar. ” Rob Wilson, Co-founder of Toast says: “It symbolises our commitment to a greener,brighter future and is part of a campaign, "Nature's Taking Over" - merging the joy ofbeer-drinking with the call to environmental stewardship. We’re thrilled to announce thislong-awaited launch for Toast. Collaboration has always been key to our strategy forachieving change, and we’re excited to be able to scale our work with this launch into StarPubs.” About Toast Brewing Toast is a craft brewery that uses surplus bakery bread to brew itsbeers, with all profits going to environmental charities. Food production is the biggestcontributor to climate change and biodiversity loss but one third of all food is wasted.They’re here to change that. Toast is a social enterprise and a Certified B Corp.Toastbrewing.com | #RaiseAToast with @toastale on Twitter | @toast.brewing on Instagram |Facebook | LinkedIn

Bunzl UK & Ireland and social enterprise Amplify Goods, have joined forces for the groundbreaking launch of a new range of luxury washroom products. The creation of a new brand, RE:MIND, has been designed to combine luxury hand and body care and social value, using a unique, high-quality formulation developed by Amplify Goods that uses carefully selected ingredients that are 96-99% naturally-derived depending on the product. As a certified social enterprise, Amplify Goods donates at least 51% of its profits to charitable projects at the intersection of mental health and the environment, among many other initiatives that drive positive change in local communities. Amplify Goods is an established social enterprise with a track record in selling net-positive washroom products to businesses looking to bring Net Zero ambitions into action within their supply chains as well as work opportunities to disabled, ex-homeless and underemployed groups. Camilla Marcus-Dew, Amplify Goods’ co-founder, said: “Amplify Goods is proud to do things differently. The products have to be great, but we also work hard to design in a way that reduces waste, single-use plastic, and harsh ingredients whilst enabling bottle reuse, and putting more than half our profits into supporting the intersection between mental health and the natural.” “We see this as a great opportunity for Bunzl’s various operating companies across the UK and Ireland, and their diverse customers.” added Camilla. “By the time we reach £700k turnover, we’ll likely be supporting 50-100 people a year, so imagine the impact that will have on the lives of those working on the front lines of climate breakdown.” Simply by enjoying a washroom product, you’re jumping on board the burgeoning social enterprise and ESG movement and supporting both environmental and mental health projects. Thanks to this exciting collaboration between Amplify Goods and Bunzl, this can become a reality on a large scale. “It’s this emphasis on social and environmental good in products and business practices that’s set to be the focus of RE:MIND’, said Amplify Goods’ co-founder Pasha Michaelsen” which includes the support of the physical and mental health of ‘Quiet Changemakers’ – those working on the frontlines of climate breakdown”. “As the founders of Amplify Goods, we know first-hand how important it is to avoid burnout - we’ve been there”, she adds. “That’s why we’re directly supporting these ‘Quiet Changemakers’ in ways they need, whilst also channelling funds into organisations working at the intersection of mental health and nature”. Amplify Goods washroom products have been distributed by Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies for the past year, a relationship which has now been further enhanced with the development of RE:MIND. RE:MIND is a first-of-its-kind partnership between social enterprise and distributor; bringing together Amplify Goods’ innovative approach to industry leading ESG product design and Bunzl’s mission to source and provide more sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible products to its vast customer base. In this exclusive collaboration, the RE:MIND range launches as a small offering to enable all sectors to access affordable, high-quality washroom products. It includes a 5-litre Sweet Orange & Rosemary Hand & Body Wash, a 1-litre Sweet Orange & Rosemary Hand & Body Lotion, and Forever Glass Bottles & Pumps for both the washes and lotions. These bottles can also be mounted using the RE:MIND single wall bracket or double lockable wall bracket. The range is formulated to include luxurious essential oils and shea butter that both revitalise and nourish, with ingredients carefully selected to minimise negative environmental impact. They are Vegan Society-certified and Amplify Goods won’t work with any ingredients that are tested on animals. The products are also free from SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), synthetic dyes, and harsh surfactants. Users can rest assured that RE:MIND only offers products that are of the highest quality. The packaging used for RE:MIND has also been carefully developed to minimise waste and harmful impacts on the environment, with single-use plastic designed out where possible and upcycled waste cardboard utilised as a packing material. The majority of the packing processes have been considered with a view to utilising the skills of underemployed people, including ex-homeless, disabled people and those otherwise facing barriers to entry in the labour market. Working in collaboration with Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, who have already adopted a similar 5-litre closed-loop solution with other exclusive brands, Amplify Goods facilitates businesses in joining on their circularity journey. Through their pioneering container reuse programme, 5-litre bottles can be returned, cleaned, and refilled, reducing demands on virgin plastic and providing valuable work for people. “Amplify Goods are the perfect partner for this collaboration; we love their ethos and commitment to purpose and we’re looking forward to the years ahead as we scale this ESG industry leading premium range” said Amy McLauchlan, Bunzl UKI Exclusive Brands Manager. RE:MIND hand and body care products are now available from Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, and soon across many more of Bunzl’s operating companies across the UK and Ireland. For more information, visit remind-brand.co.uk or contact hello@amplifygoods.org