Thought Leadership

The newly published Roadmap is the latest update from Social Value 2032, an innovative programme led by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) in partnership with Jacobs, PwC, Shaw Trust, Siemens and SUEZ recycling and recovery. As the programme has ambitious goals to make social value cover all public sector procurement and influence spending in the largest private companies, the new Roadmap outlines the next steps needed on that journey. The programme was set up last year to mark the tenth anniversary of the Public Services (Social Value) Act, which places a legal obligation on public bodies to consider how the services they commission and procure might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the areas they operate in. While the Act has helped transform the UK’s procurement landscape - already changing ways of working across public, private and third sectors - its potential is not always understood and its implementation is inconsistent. From creating a consistent legal and regulatory framework with common measuring standards, to strengthening supply chains and changing workplace cultures, the Social Value 2032 Roadmap details short and long-term proposals to transform the system so that organisations’ everyday spending can actively benefit wider society. Peter Holbrook CBE, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “Our new Roadmap is ambitious, but we have no time to waste if we want to level up the country, achieve Net Zero, create a stronger and fairer society, and improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people. “Hundreds of billions of pounds of social value can potentially be generated over coming years – bringing tangible improvements to all our lives, the communities we live in and the planet we depend on. None of this can be achieved in isolation, but we have a growing movement of individuals and organisations who believe in social value, and working together we have a strong platform to drive real change over the next decade.” The Roadmap was launched at Programme partner PwC’s central London offices today (Tuesday 27 June) with a breakfast briefing that brought together social value leaders from across the private, public and third sectors. As well as a panel discussion by Programme partners, delegates heard from the Cabinet Office’s Deputy Director of Commercial Policy, Andy Williams. Discussing the UK Government’s commitment to social value and the changes needed to drive further progress, he commented: "I welcome the Roadmap – I think it’s a fantastic document for us to look at what we can do in future and how we can work together." Read the Roadmap at www.socialenterprise.org.uk/seuk-report/the-social-value-roadmap.

Breadwinners is a social enterprise set up to help refugees gain work experience and employment. The company produces organic artisan bread and pastries to sell at market stalls and wholesale to restaurants, cafés and businesses. Breadwinners was founded in 2015 with the goal of helping people struggling with employment to set up their own businesses, with a specific focus of supporting refugees. After some grant funding to get off the ground, a year later the business was ready to launch. Initially, it provided training, financing and equipment to help people start their own bicycle delivery service selling bread to customers – but in 2017 its business model shifted toward market stalls. From that first stall in East London’s Victoria Park, now there are 14 across London and Brighton, with all the profits supporting young people seeking asylum and those with refugee status. Director, Martin Cosarinsky Campos, explained: “We chose the social enterprise model business model because it allows us to directly address the problem of unemployment faced by refugees. By selling a product - in this case, bread and pastries - we are able to provide employment opportunities and give young refugees their first job in the UK. Traditional charity models are also important and helpful, but they are unable to provide the same level of direct support through employment.” Supporting people at all stages of the asylum process Breadwinners runs three separate programmes designed to help people at various stages in the complex asylum process. The core Breadwinners programme supports those who have been granted refugee status but who are struggling to find work, offering them their first job in the UK as market stall managers earning the Living Wage. Programme participants receive practical training, help with their English and support to gain professional qualifications. When Covid-19 lockdowns meant demand for online shopping rose dramatically, the Proofers programme was created, training refugees to become online sales representatives. Breadwinners no longer has online shops, so people who developed their IT skills and customer service experience on the Proofers programme now help to manage the wholesale business. There’s also the Risers programme of early intervention support for young people aged 16 to 24 who are seeking asylum, providing them with work experience and training as market stall assistants. Business success and award-winning impact So far, Breadwinners has supported 315 refugees and young people seeking asylum, delivering 405 employability training sessions and 2,904 hours of mentoring. 92 per cent of programme participants have progressed into further employment, university or volunteering work. 93 per cent report a significant increase in their wellbeing. Breadwinners is leading the way in developing innovative ways to communicate its impact, winning the Prove It Social Impact Award at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2022. Martin said: “This award is a great source of motivation for us to continue improving and making a positive impact in the community.” The organisation’s 2022 impact report used a Participatory Action Research methodology, led by graduates from their programmes, ensuring that the voice of participants was central to the impact measurement process. Martin commented: “We are very proud of what young people who have been through our programmes go on to do. We have future doctors studying in university, charity workers supporting young people with housing, IT consultants and many people in hospitality and services which will continue to grow and develop. We are also very proud to have kept doing what we do through all the recent unprecedented challenges, and the fact that we were able to continue finding ways to support young refugees when they needed us the most.” Learn more in this short film from Martin and market stall manager Jamal, who came to the UK as an asylum seeker from Sudan, explaining some of the major challenges refugees face in finding work. You can read Breadwinners latest impact report here. breadwinners.org.uk

As the UK celebrates National Refugee Week (19-25 June), the Ideas Into Action partnership supporting entrepreneurial refugees will showcase ventures from 13 new social business leaders on Thursday 22 June in London’s Museum of the Home. Ideas Into Action is a partnership between Result Community Interest Company (CIC), Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) and The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) that supports refugees to develop their own social businesses or non-profit organisations. Participants are assisted with bespoke social business support and fundraising for their new social venture, while benefitting from one-to-one coaching and group workshops that help build the confidence and communication skills needed to run a successful business. With each entrepreneur on the programme having lived experience of the social issue they are addressing, Ideas Into Action is creating a generation of social businesses led by leaders from the communities they serve. Since launching in 2021, Ideas Into Action has worked with 30 refugee social entrepreneurs – and is due to reach 60 by the end of next year, thanks to a national recruitment campaign. Last year saw ten entrepreneurial refugees graduate from the programme, and this year 13 more founders will present their social ventures to potential investors, supporters and partners at the Ideas Into Action Demo Day on 22 June. Yusuf Ciftci, founder of Experts by Experience Employment Initiative who completed the Ideas Into Action programme last year, said: “I've had an absolute boost in my confidence with the crowd-funder campaign I launched with the amazing help of Ideas into Action. Thanks to quality advice and business support, I was able to raise seed funding to kick-start my non-profit, which is now a 60-organisation-wide network working towards improving refugee employment.” Jane Cordell and Hormoz Ahmadzadeh, Directors at Result CIC, said: “National Refugee Week is the perfect time to celebrate these entrepreneurs who have been refugees, but of course our work does not stop this week and we look forward to supporting even more people with this nationwide specialist programme. They will gain not only greater confidence in their ideas for starting or developing their own organisations, but also practical tools and crowdfunding to get started. The members of each group will be encouraged to support each other and, after finishing the programme, pass on their ideas to the next group. In this way we expect brilliant new organisations to start up plus a stronger community between its leaders.” Elaine Crehan, Head of Membership at Social Enterprise UK, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this vital programme to support refugees building their own social enterprises. From creating job opportunities to breaking down stigma and prejudice, the social enterprise sector has long been a space where refugees can find a sense of community and belonging. It’s wonderful to see this programme helping refugees to set up social enterprises, using their own ideas and experiences to create thriving businesses that do great things for people and planet. It’s a pleasure to welcome all the participants into our network, where they can grow even stronger together.” Fred Kastner, Director of Social Innovation at TERN, said: “Ideas into Action is an opportunity for our community members to show how they use their passion, ingenuity and hard work to help communities in the UK and beyond. Their lived experience and deep community connections enable them to create solutions that fulfil the needs of members of society who are often overlooked and unheard. We have thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with Result CIC and SEUK to build a thriving community of Ideas into Action graduates/alumni who can partner up, amplify each other’s missions, and guide the next generation of refugee social entrepreneurs for years to come.” The Ideas Into Action partnership that brings Result CIC together with SEUK and TERN is made possible by support from The National Lottery Community Fund, which awarded vital funding of £180,000 to the programme in 2021. John Mothersole, Chair of England Committee at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this scheme, helping to boost skills and employment prospects for refugees so they can lead fulfilled lives while settling into and contributing to life in the UK. It is thanks to National Lottery players that we are able to fund this impactful work that will result in improved opportunities for local economies and communities, enabling them to prosper and thrive.” Find out more at www.notion.so/tern/Ideas-Into-Action-2023. To attend the showcase event, register at www.ideas-into-action-demo-day-23.eventbrite.co.uk. If you’re interested in becoming a partner or funder on the project, email info@resultcic.com or call 07516 518194. ENDS About Ideas Into Action Ideas into Action is a partnership between Result CIC, The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) and Social Enterprise UK (SEUK). The programme supports refugees to create and launch new social products and services for communities in the UK and beyond. Vital funding of £180,000 was awarded to the programme in 2021 by The National Lottery Community Fund. So far, the programme has worked with 23 refugee social entrepreneurs, and is due to reach 60 by the end of next year. Find out more at www.notion.so/tern/Ideas-Into-Action-2023.

Charity Bank, the loans and savings bank for social good, has announced its annual results for the year ended December 2022. The bank achieved a record financial result, with a significant profit of £2.7m. Charity Bank will reinvest 100% of its 2022 profit to further its mission and extend its reach to underfunded charities and social enterprises. In 2022, Charity Bank also disbursed a record £53.9m in new loans, supporting UK charities and social enterprises. The bank expects to significantly increase the range and diversity of organisations supported in 2023, and will set specific targets for reaching ethnically diverse enterprises and other groups that have experienced exclusion from social investment. “Our strong financial performance will enable us to expand our lending activities, which will help us to make an even greater social impact,” said Ed Siegel, Chief Executive of Charity Bank. “During the cost of living crisis we have remained a reliable source of support for charities and social enterprises. By providing loans, Charity Bank helps these organisations to improve their financial position, expand their services, and better serve their communities.” The results of Charity Bank's 2023 borrower survey highlight the transformative effects of their loans and support on borrowers [1]: 71% of respondents reported an increased number of services 89% noted an improved quality of service or facilities 68% said their Charity Bank loan allowed their projects to go ahead 61% experienced a growth in income 40% reduced their operational costs 33% acknowledged that the bank's support helped them stay afloat Moreover, in 2022, 60% of Charity Bank's lending was directed towards organisations operating in the most underfunded and underserved areas of the UK [2]. The bank also supports initiatives combating climate change and assists organisations in reducing their carbon footprint. According to the borrower survey, 21% of respondents reported direct environmental benefits from the projects supported with a Charity Bank loan, with an additional 21% experiencing indirect environmental benefits. Charity Bank's revised strategy for 2023-2027 focuses on amplifying its impact and reaching underserved communities. If focuses on organisations serving those with the greatest needs, targets economically deprived communities, extends outreach to systematically underfunded groups, prioritises lending intentionally for complex housing needs, and building a "green lending" portfolio. “We are committed to being the lender of choice for UK impact-driven organisations,” said Ed Siegel. “We believe that we can make a real difference in the lives of people and communities across the UK, and we are excited to continue our work in 2023 and beyond.” The full annual results can be found on the Charity Bank website: www.CharityBank.org/2022annualresults [1] The borrower survey was offered to 195 of our current and recently repaid borrowers, with 137 completing the survey (a 71% response rate). The results are as self-reported by our borrowers. [2] Using the indices of multiple deprivation published for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to identify the areas of social need. These indices rank each small area or neighbourhood from most to least deprived in each country, and separate them into 10 equal groups called ‘deprivation deciles’. The most deprived areas have a high proportion of people on very low incomes, higher number of people dying prematurely and more people having trouble finding an affordable home. 60% of our lending in 2022 was to the four most ‘deprived deciles’ of the UK.

Leading events crew supplier and flagship social enterprise Connection Crew CIC have launched a major advertising campaign. As a London Living Wage Employer, the company aims to help break the minimum wage ceiling, raise awareness, and recruit new crew as it prepares for further expansion following a 132 per cent revenue increase last year.  The campaign is being delivered by global advertising agency TBWA\London, through a digital billboard, and referral marketing campaign that involves Connection Crew’s existing staff identifying potential recruits. The campaign will be seen across dozens of sites throughout London.   The advertising campaign highlights opportunities to work in exciting jobs in crewing at major exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and other events, as well as construction, sport, television and film locations. To drive job applications, Connection Crew team members are being challenged to find ambitious gig economy workers including delivery drivers, baristas, security, bar and catering staff, and students, and present them with a card with links to a job application form.  "We’ve grown significantly in the last two years while maintaining our high standards and providing employment opportunities for those that need it most. Now we need to support another phase of expansion," says Warren Rogers, Connection Crew Director. "Part of the measurement of our success is that we demonstrate that social enterprises can be highly successful as commercial operators, competing against other major companies. Our aim is to continue breaking new ground both as a crewing company, and as a social enterprise."   The success of Connection Crew as a supplier of trained crew for major events such as the Coronation, London Marathon, Ideal Home Show, Clerkenwell Design Week, Glastonbury-BBC and Creamfields, is evidence of how a social enterprise can outcompete traditional business model rivals. It provided crew for more than 3,600 events in 2022. Long standing clients include  BAFTA, Underbelly, Media 10 and Wates Group. The organisation’s premium level service ethos and reliability has enabled it to establish a unique position as a crew provider within the events, television, film and construction industries, where reliable staff are needed for an array of manual handling and technical work.   "Imagine if every event in London and beyond helped to make a positive impact on people within their community, it would make a big difference to society." says Leasa Slater, Connection Crew Resources Manager.  "A huge strength of Connection Crew is the amount of impact we make socially, culturally, and environmentally." In parallel with its commercial success, Connection Crew has recently hit the significant milestone of providing more than 200,000 hours of employment to those that have experienced, or been at risk of, homelessness, or who traditionally face barriers to employment. Currently, 20 per cent of their crew have faced one or more of these barriers.  It’s employment opportunities and a supportive environment helps foster a strong work ethic, willingness to learn and a robust team dynamic. These attributes are reflected in the organisation’s award-winning reputation within the business sectors it operates in, and high repeat business rates.  A major part the organisation’s success, both commercially and socially, is its Academy, that provides a hands-on three-day employment preparation programme. Graduates are guaranteed an interview, and a 12-week mentoring scheme in which Academy graduates are provided with an experienced crew member as mentor, who is a trained volunteer for the role. For 18 years, Connection Crew has worked on some of the biggest and most prestigious events in London and the UK. Their ambition is to expand their reach and grow their impact on a national scale.

Social enterprises form a vital part of the NHS family, delivering health and care services all over the country while reinvesting profits in local communities. Despite this huge contribution, the Government has not provided funding for social enterprise staff in the recently negotiated NHS pay deal – treating many thousands of staff unfairly when they are just as committed and passionate as those working in any other NHS setting. We’ve been calling for change everywhere from Sky News and the Independent to the Health Service Journal and Nursing Standard but we need to make more noise. You can help us tackle this by adding your name to the petition for urgent Government action: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/638701 Health Secretary Steve Barclay pledged to implement the NHS pay deal for ‘all staff’ on Agenda for Change contracts, but his Department has not yet found this money for those working in social enterprises under the same contractual terms and conditions. We’ve asked the Secretary of State to meet with us - as well as the NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, the Local Government Association, the Association of Directors of Public Health and the Independent Healthcare Providers Network - so we can find practical solutions before staff, services and patients are put at risk. Peter Holbrook CBE, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “Social enterprises are a crucial part of the NHS family, delivering over a billion pounds of services and employing many thousands of staff while reinvesting any profits in communities. Health Secretary Steve Barclay recently said that he would implement the NHS pay deal for all staff on Agenda for Change – but he has yet to come up with the money, putting these organisations and their staff in an impossible position. “We still expect the Department to take urgent steps to solve this - as they did previously in 2018 - before staff, services and patients are adversely affected. Just the ten largest social enterprises delivering NHS services employ around 10,000 staff, who will be treated unfairly unless the Government acts now. Some of these employers will seek to pay the 22/23 ‘bonus’ their staff deserve, even if the Government doesn’t fund it – but some simply don’t have the money to do so, meaning this will put services and patients at risk. The Department must deliver on the Health Secretary’s words.”

GLL – the UK’s largest provider of public leisure facilities – has taken an important next step towards powering its facilities with renewable energy with the announcement of its first ‘Green Gym’. Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club in South East London boasts a 350 m2  gym with over 40 pieces of equipment, many of which are “Self-Powered” .  Since installing a brand new 38 kW solar array on the roof, the power generated now has sufficient capacity to operate the gym by renewable energy for the first time. The forward thinking charitable social enterprise – which missed out on Government energy support afforded to Cultural institutions like libraries and museums – has made the investment from its own capital reserves as part of its journey towards a carbon zero future.  The new panels at Charlton Gym will generate 35,000kWh of renewable power and save 7 tonnes of CO2 per annum. At the same time, the company has invested in a solar panel array at Middlegate House – its Royal Arsenal Riverside HQ – which is providing the power needs of its Customer Service Centre, again for the very first time. GLL’s solar installation for the Customer Service Centre also allows for surplus energy to be stored in batteries for rainy day use – a boon in Britain’s fickle climate. The investment comes on the back of a multi-year journey to make the business – which operates nearly 400 facilities across Belfast, Cardiff and England - more sustainable,  reducing waste, CO2 and energy consumption under its “Respecting the Planet” Corporate Value.  GLL is also working closely with its partners to invest in the environment for the future. Chris Hebblewhite, GLL’s National Director of Standards & Compliance said: “This is fantastic news for GLL, taking our sustainability journey towards zero carbon to the next level. “Our customers and staff will benefit too knowing that respecting the planet is an important part of the purposed business they have chosen to be a part of. “Our social enterprise is all about making a difference for communities and the climate crisis is already having an effect on them. Reducing our impact on the environment aligns us with the ambitious goals of our local authority partners and we are very pleased to expect to be able to make further announcements later this year. “GLL has already invested millions of pounds in green technologies over the last few years and these latest investments are another important part of our journey”

On Wednesday 24 May Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) brought colleagues, partners, peers and collaborators from across the sector together with politicians and policymakers in the House of Lords to discuss how British business can deliver better for our economy and society. With a general election approaching, now is the time to push for progress and make the case for a different way of doing business - one that centres the incredible work being caried out by the tens of thousands of social enterprises, cooperatives, community companies and other purpose-led businesses which are delivering for Britain. Opening the event, SEUK’s chair Lord Victor Adebowale explained: “We are significant, and yet we don’t have the voice that we should have for the major contributions we make to the current economy and all we could do in the future.” He set the scene for the challenges facing the UK economy, as widening inequality and the climate crisis transcend political divisions, making a rallying cry for all parties to address the fundamental structures of how we do business in order to address these burning issues. He issued an invitation and a challenge to raise the profile of the transformative impact of social enterprises and other mission-led businesses, which renowned economist Kate Raworth then argued must be at the heart of political and economic discussions. Changing business structures ‘Doughnut Economics’ author Kate Raworth proposes a radically different way of approaching the economy, moving from a system based on endless growth to one that meets the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. She said: “The aim is to create a safe and just space in which humanity can thrive, and to get there requires a fundamental rewiring of the economy and the way in which businesses themselves are structured.” In conversation with Victor, Kate posed the question of how businesses should be owned and designed in order to serve the needs of people and planet – and, in many ways, the answer to this could be found in the organisations represented in the room. Social enterprises, co-operatives and other purpose-driven business models offer the proof of concept needed for a new economy. Presenting the ongoing crisis of inequality and climate breakdown as an opportunity to show people the possibility of a different future, Kate urged: “Let’s make this visible, seed it and spread it and help people see: this is a not just viable but a crucial way of redesigning our economy in service of the future.” Kate was joined by her Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) colleague Erinch Sahan, whose work looks at challenging the deep design of business. He outlined how traditional models of ownership, governance and profit distribution place businesses in a straitjacket, with everything reliant on financial returns and maximising shareholder value – while social enterprise offers more diverse structures and innovative ways of working. He concluded that: “Social enterprise is the experimentation ground for those ideas that will hopefully take root in wider business and the future of the world economy.” Join the campaign This event kicks off a new campaign to shape the future of the British economy, bringing together champions of change from across business sectors and political spectrums, to elevate the profile of our growing movement through until the next election and beyond. As we get closer to 2023’s general election, we will ramp up activity to ensure that politicians, policy-makers and other key decision makers hear the voices of organisations that offer real solutions to build a fairer and more equitable country. Join our campaign and help us transform the potential of British business. More information can be found here >> https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/business-plan-for-britain/ Thank you to all the organisations, MPs and Peers who attended this event and especially to our campaign partners: