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Social Enterprise UK has collaborated with the Co-operative Party, to produce a new report exploring how we can make the UK the best place to start an alternative business. Alternative businesses, including social enterprises and co-operatives are key for delivering shared prosperity and building a more resilient economy. However, many of these businesses face distinct challenges that can hinder their development and growth. This new report puts forward an ambitious yet practical policy recommendations, aimed at nurturing those businesses that believe in more than profit. Through improving access to finance, simplifying governance, and building networks, we can create a richer, more diverse business community that will address the entrenched challenges our country faces. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS REVIEW

Commenting on the May 2023 local elections, Peter Holbrook CEO of Social Enterprise UK said: Social Enterprise UK sends warm congratulations to candidates who were elected during last week’s Local Elections. We have seen significant shifts in council make-up across the country. People want their local councillors to ensure community services work for them, that local issues are addressed, and that democracy delivers. Social enterprises are playing an increasingly valuable role in supporting local communities, delivering economic prosperity, and bringing people together to address local challenges. We hope that newly elected representatives will take time to engage with local social enterprises and support them through this period of economic uncertainty.

We pass on our very best wishes to His Majesty King Charles III and all those celebrating the coronation this weekend. The King has a long association with social enterprise, founding Duchy Originals as a social enterprise which donates 100% of profits to supporting young disadvantaged people right across the UK. Through the Prince’s Trust, he has enabled thousands of aspiring social entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground and create positive change in their communities and beyond. We thank him for his dedication to supporting the next generation of social entrepreneurs and his commitment to responsible business practices and the protection of our natural world.  

More than a million businesses in the UK could be supported to formally transition to social enterprises, based on their current engagement with social issues, according to new research. Social Enterprise UK’s (SEUK) newly-launched ‘Transitions’ report reveals that as many as a fifth of SMEs in the UK aspire to make a positive social impact – but are not currently operating formally as social enterprises. This means more than a million organisations have the scope to transition to social enterprise status, and contribute more to the economy and society in doing so. As a result of its findings, SEUK is encouraging businesses in the UK to consider their status and learn more about how they could benefit from transitioning to a new model. Operating as a social enterprise allows a business to lock in its social and environmental purpose, ensure profits benefit that purpose, and enjoy wide-ranging benefits for staff, customers and clients by reaching new markets and developing new products and services. Social enterprises also regularly enjoy enhanced reputations, customer loyalty and employee engagement, whilst having wider access to funders and financers motivated by social impact. Peter Holbrook, CEO at SEUK, said: “Whilst we acknowledge the fantastic work of existing social enterprises in benefiting our economy and society, our research identifies that a huge number of other businesses are not maximising the opportunities available to them from social enterprise models and solutions. “No social enterprise is the same, either, so there are a variety of options for companies wishing to transition – for example, a small tech firm may be best suited to a co-operative model, employee ownership may fit a bigger retail business or a trust model could work well for a business running a heritage asset. “Therefore, we encourage businesses to find out more and understand if transitioning to a new model is viable for them, so they can reach their potential and make an even greater difference to the world as a social enterprise.” Read the full report here

Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) are proud to be a delivery partner on the newly launched VCSE Contract Readiness Programme.  Delivered in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) and Voice4Change England, and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) – the VCSE Contract Readiness Programme’s objective is to enable social enterprises and charities to compete alongside other organisations for public sector contracts. The programme is divided into two pathways – one for voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) and one targeted at public sector commissioners, with an initial focus on commissioners at central government departments. How to get involved - VCSE pathway This programme is a great opportunity for social enterprises and charities wanting to win government contracts to find out more about how to successfully apply for these opportunities.  There are a number of ways for SEUK members to take part in the programme from introductory webinars to more in-depth short and long courses designed to help organisations implement the practical steps to become procurement ready. Our friends at SSE are primarily managing the VCSE pathway and more information can be found on the SSE website. Click here to find out more about the VCSE pathway and eligibility criteria. Organisations can sign up to 'Government Contracts Revealed', the first public webinar in the programme which will introduce social enterprises and charities to public sector procurement. This will be suitable for those with little or no experience of tendering. Click here to sign up The first available public webinar is on 25 April with further dates in June. The Public Services Hub The Public Services Hub is an online platform, developed by SEUK as part of the programme, which hosts resources and opportunities to help advance the role of social enterprises and charities in public sector commissioning.  From government guidance to details on how to find contracts – the Public Services Hub is a great first port of call for social enterprises and charities interested in working with government and the broader public sector.  The Public Services Hub also holds resources for commissioners to help them better understand the benefits of partnering with VCSE service providers. Click here to visit the Public Services Hub  We will be sending out updated information about the programme as more elements of it become live.

Responding to the Spring Budget, Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: Today, the Government has shown a more nuanced view on how fiscal policy can encourage investment and shape better business behaviours, that goes beyond corporate tax cuts. However, many social enterprises continue to work in a difficult economic environment. SEUK will continue to lobby Government for more support to deal with inflation and to be the voice for social enterprises which have an important role to play in building a stronger national economy.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we asked some of our members, whose work focuses on achieving gender equality and empowerment, questions regarding their views on intersectionality.  Our social enterprises saw intersectionality as necessary for their services to represent the complex experience of the community they serve. They highlighted the need to listen and learn from diverse experiences, to be inclusive and respectful. What is intersectionality? Intersectionality is a useful framework for understanding the many kinds of discriminations individuals contend with. Its starting premise is that everyone is made up of multiple and layered identities, which includes gender, race, class, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, religion, socio-economic backgrounds, and migration status. For example, A working-class bisexual woman may encounter discrimination based on her socio-economic status and sexual identity.  As advocates of gender equality, we have a responsibility to consider everything and anything that subject women to prejudice and marginalisation. The truth, however, is that operationalising intersectionality is complex. We tend to focus on identity dimensions we are most comfortable with. However, if our advocacy represents only the experiences of some women, we will fail to achieve equality for all women.  Intersectionality entails we identify the needs and consequently think about what resources we need to tackle the multiple discriminations faced by all women.  Few organisations have access to all the resources they need to operationalise intersectionality, but this is where collaborations with other organisations and individuals, to expand the base of resources, can help.  Here's what some of our members had to say about this important topic. Soul Purpose 360 CIC Interview with Palma Black - Founder & Director Soul Purpose 360 CIC Soul Purpose 360 CIC is a coaching, mentoring, training, and networking social enterprise for Black women in the community development sector. Their aim is to motivate, inspire and imbue confidence in women, to enable them to contribute positively to their communities. How important should intersectionality be to advocates of gender equality? For any individual or organisation advocating for gender equality, intersectionality must form the foundation, if it is to truly include and reflect Black women. Historically, the white-led feminist movement have failed in this regard.  For example, intersectionality is essential for understanding the unique challenges that Black women face, as well as for developing effective strategies for fighting for our rights. This is because Black women experience oppression and discrimination on multiple levels due to multifaceted aspects of our identity and an intersectional approach would recognise the complexity of this. Black women experience gender-based violence, institutionalised racism, and economic inequality, among other forms of oppression. Intersectional feminism allows us to recognise this. How can we be inclusive of everyone and respect all parts of a person's identity?  One of the most important things we can do to ensure inclusivity and respect for all parts of a person's identity is to practice active listening. That means really taking the time to listen to someone and try to understand their experiences and perspectives without judgment. Black women are not a homogenous group. We should also be open to having conversations about differences in gender, race, and other identities, and be willing to learn from and support each other. Additionally, we should strive to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and accepted, regardless of their identity. What are the challenges that can sometimes be faced when using an intersectional approach? Some challenges that can be presented include feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of intersecting identities and experiences that need to be taken into consideration. Another challenge can be navigating conflicting perspectives in a way that is respectful and inclusive of all identities and experiences. Some may struggle with the idea of recognising the privilege that exists within the various intersecting identities, as it can be a difficult concept to grapple with. Ultimately, it is important to be aware of these challenges to better equip oneself with the tools necessary to use an intersectional approach in a meaningful and productive way. soulpurpose360.co.uk You be You Interview with Bilkis Miah - CEO & Founder of You be You You be You provides lessons, workshops and activities for school and parents, with the aim of breaking down gender-based stereotypes, with the aim to shift the perceptions of schools, families and children, to open possibilities for the next generation.  How important should intersectionality be to advocates of gender equality? We believe intersectionality is important. We’re layered humans with multifaceted aspects of our identity and intersectionality ensures we’re encompassing the whole person. How can we be inclusive of everyone and respect all parts of a person's identity? We can listen actively to people’s stories and learn from these lived experiences. What are the challenges that can sometimes be faced when using an intersectional approach? A challenge includes the complexity of trying to tackle multiple layers of discrimination. To what extent does an intersectional approach inform your organisational strategy? You are welcome to explain your experience. Intersectionality is at the core of our organisational strategy.  We must think about our communities and all the levels of prejudice they may face, in order to fully serve them. youbeyou.co.uk Butterfly Books Interview with Kerrine Bryan - Founder and Author of Butterfly Books Butterfly Books are a Social Enterprise that create children’s educational books. Their books are career-focused, aimed to inspire and educate children of the career options available to them, to reduce gender bias in job roles. Some of their books include ‘My Mummy is a Footballer’ and ‘My Daddy is a Nurse.’ How important should intersectionality be for advocates of gender equality? Intersectionality is very important as achieving equality, inclusion and diversity is complex. However, it can be difficult to address all problems with limited resources. For example, our children’s books focus on gender equality, and we try our best to address intersectionality through our illustrations as best we can. However, we believe that collaboration is an important way to consider intersectionality, through partnerships with organisations that have a focus in other areas. How can we be inclusive of everyone and respect all parts of a person's identity?  Through expanding our knowledge of other people’s cultures and genders. This can be through attending events, or reading literature that you wouldn’t normally. Additionally, understanding the community you serve is key. What are the challenges that can sometimes be faced when using an intersectional approach? One of the challenges is losing the impact you intended to create, by trying to spreadresources across too many areas. To what extent does an intersectional approach inform your organisational strategy? You are welcome to explain your experience. As a Black-owned business we are aware of the challenges faced regarding race. Although this is not the focus of our business, intersectionality affects us as business owners. Therefore, we are conscious of this when writing and illustrating our children’s books, with the aim of ensuring we represent the community we serve. butterflybooks.co.uk By Sabrina Doshi, supported by Dr Lilian Miles - Reader in Sustainability and Social Enterprise, Westminster Business School, University of Westminster

In these troubled times, it is welcome that the expanded Dormant Asset Scheme will provide £880 million to essential causes, including through social investment and a Community Wealth Fund. The results of the Dormant Assets consultation were announced today. Funds will continue to be used for youth, financial inclusion and social investment wholesalers. There will also be a new Community Wealth Fund which will give long-term financial support (whether directly or indirectly) for the provision of local amenities or other social infrastructure. This is an important milestone because of the impact this will have on communities through the work of social enterprises, trading charities and other community-based businesses. The consultation recognises the importance of extending affordable, patient, flexible capital and highlights findings of the Adebowale Commission on Social Investment which recommended that social investment must reach more minority-led organisations and disadvantaged communities. Existing Dormant Assets continue, including a £31 million fund which will enable community and social enterprises to install energy saving technology in their buildings and help them meet the growing need for their services as a result of cost-of-living pressures. We look forward to more details on how this funding will be allocated. It is imperative that it is distributed fairly and used to support communities and places in need. Our CEO Peter Holbrook said: “This is an important and positive development. Dormant Assets offer huge potential support for social enterprises and the communities they serve. We are pleased to see that the Adebowale Commission has influenced improvements for social investment. We look forward to supporting how the Community Wealth Fund is shaped, as we know the vital work that social enterprises do at a hyper-local level and the importance of place-based infrastructure. These are extremely challenging economic circumstances. We hope the Spring Budget next week will provide further hope and support to drive social enterprise solutions.”