Thought Leadership

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Member updates

Unity Trust Bank reports record £1 billion social impact lending

Unity Trust Bank, which supports organisations to deliver positive social impact around the UK, has reported a record level of lending in its annual results for 2023. Exceeding £1 billion for the first time in its 40-year history, almost half of Unity’s financing last year (45.3%) went into areas of high deprivation.  Overall lending increased by 21% to £1.01 billion (2022: £836.6m) while after-tax earnings rose to £48.9m (2022: £22.8m), resulting in a strong CET1 capital ratio of 19.7% (2022: 18.3%). Colin Fyfe, CEO at Unity Trust Bank, said: “Surpassing £1 billion in lending for the first time is testament to the principles that Unity was founded on 40 years ago – that a bank can deliver social purpose as well as sustainable commercial returns. “Our 2023 objectives were achieved against a backdrop of turbulent economic conditions, and supporting our customers continues to be at the core of our strategy. “The higher bank rate environment, alongside balance sheet growth, increased financial returns for Unity in 2023 and enabled us to continue to advance our purpose and our investment in customer services.” By only using customer deposits to lend to organisations that deliver quantifiable impact in local communities, Unity’s funding in 2023 helped to support 1,458 care home spaces; 572 day care and education spaces and 7,143 jobs. It also provided affordable homes for 1,225 households and 452 properties benefited from retrofitting activities. Unity continued to strengthen its support to customers in 2023, introducing a new digital banking platform and establishing sector specific customer hubs. Committed to developing the way it measures and manages its own contributions to people and planet, the bank joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) and released its first financed emissions reporting; strengthening its commitment to understanding its role in supporting customers facing the impacts of climate change. Unity also maintains its carbon neutral status for its own emissions through continued engagement with the Housing Association Charitable Trust’s (HACT’s) award-winning Retrofit Credits programme. Colin added: “Unity’s vision is to become the market leader in ethical banking in the UK and we will continue to help improve the lives of local communities into the next 40 years through responsible financing.” In 2023, employee-led Unity & Me initiatives continued to make Unity a great place to work and support positive outcomes for customers and communities. Unity increased its discretionary donations fivefold from 2022, supporting 26 organisations to deliver positive outcomes for the most vulnerable in society. It also maintained its partnership with the Prince’s Trust and volunteered with 123 young people throughout the year and increased its overall staff volunteering days by 2.5% compared to 2022. About Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank is an award-winning, independent, commercial bank that uses banking to improve the lives of UK communities. Living by its principles of banking with integrity, Unity’s purpose is to help create a better society, not simply maximise profits. Now in its 40th year, it has supported like-minded organisations that share its values and address social, economic and environmental needs. With offices in Birmingham, Manchester and London, Unity offers a range of banking services, including current accounts, savings accounts and loans. Unity is a Real Living Wage Trailblazer and Disability Confident employer, holder of the Investors in People Gold standard and a member of the Global Alliance for Banking with Values, and its memberships ensure it’s engaged with best practices in the UK and globally as a bank with a social conscience. Visit www.unity.co.uk for more information. You can also follow Unity Trust Bank on Twitter and Facebook, or go to its LinkedIn page.

28 Mar

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3 min

Member updates

Excitement and hopeful anticipation for adults with learning disabilities at Interestingly Different

The award-winning service for adults with disabilities, Nickel Support, and their unique retail project, Interestingly Different, have started a brand new, revolutionary and bespoke retail training programme in order to address the shocking situation around employment opportunities and support for adults with learning disabilities and Autism.  Meet Charlie. Charlie is an amazing young woman with not only a smile for everyone she meets, but she also has a huge amount of potential, with a strong drive to work and have a purpose. However, Charlie also has a learning disability - which means that her ambition and goals are often met by hurdles and challenges. When Charlie started attending Nickel Support 9 years ago she struggled with confidence in communicating, and lacked support to achieve her potential. Throughout her time at Nickel Support, Charlie has grown in confidence and in her self belief, and has proven just how much adults with learning disabilities can achieve when they are given the chance to shine. She is now one of the trainees who is in paid employment at Interestingly Different, which forms the retail branch of Nickel Support.  Interestingly Different re-launched in 2023 opening their beautiful shop in Carshalton and introducing their online shop. They are a gift and homeware store with a difference - selling an incredible selection of high quality gifts, homewares, gift boxes and corporate gifting options from more than 30 social enterprises. However, Interestingly Different’s core goal is to provide training and employment opportunities for their trainees, all of whom have faced the same hurdles and barriers as Charlie, and to enable them to lead a purposeful and fulfilled life.  Since the re-launch, the team realised more needed to be done to provide training and employment opportunities - especially as government initiatives such as the Access to Work scheme, have lengthy, climbing waiting lists. Hence they set about creating an adaptable training programme to ensure that trainees gain necessary skills for employment. The programme was created in-house, and incorporates a variety of visual, written and audio materials in order to break down the barriers seen in mainstream training. It is delivered on a one-to-one basis, by trained Support Workers who not only understand learning disabilities, but who get to know each trainee, meaning they can tailor the training to their individual needs.  The training course has been set up with a true sense of urgency, as the employment situation for adults with learning disabilities and autism is shocking. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions recently comissioned The Buckland Review, in order to identify the barriers to autistic people securing and fulfilling employment. Published in February 2024, the report found that  “despite their wish to work, the latest official statistics show that only around 3 in 10 working age autistic disabled people are in employment.” And worse yet, we know from other sources that only 5.1% of adults with all types of learning disabilities in England are in paid work.  The Buckland Review found what Nick Walsh and Elena Nicola, co-founders of Nickel Support have long known - there is a wide range of potential barriers to work for autistic people [the same applies to people with any learning disability]. Even after finding work, maintaining long-term employment remains a challenge. Many do not receive the necessary support or adjustments to enable them to fulfil their role in the face of inaccessible sensory and social environments.  The current reality is sad and shocking, but Nickel Support and Interestingly Different are proud to see a positive impact even in the early stages of this project. When asked how she feels about the new training programme, Charlie commented, “The training I’ve already had has given me the self belief and confidence to work. I used to find it hard talking to customers, but now I feel confident to do that.  I am excited to start the new training programme because I think it is going to help me and the other trainees to learn new valuable skills”. There are currently five Interestingly Different trainees in paid employment, a number they intend to increase as they roll out the training programme.  Seeing Interestingly Different trainees embark upon their training is truly a wonderful thing - you can really sense that this is a place where they are valued, and are being equipped with vital skills for the workplace. Elena Nicola, says, “Seeing the trainees being given the opportunity to expand their knowledge, gain skills and move on to potential employment is so exciting, especially when all the evidence, and our first hand experience, shows that this is not something that is currently happening regularly in society. Sadly our story should not be news, but currently what we are doing really isn’t the norm. We eagerly look forward to the day when it is, and will not stop working to achieve that.”  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, https://interestinglydifferent.co.uk/ 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. 

28 Mar

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4 min

News

New research published at our Social Value Leaders’ Summit highlights missed opportunities for local government

Today we brought together cross-sector experts at our Social Value Leaders’ Summit in Manchester, to discuss how this purpose-led approach to procurement and commissioning can be embedded across the public sector and influence spend in the UK’s largest companies. The keynote speech from Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig looked to the future of social value, with insight on the city’s plans for this tool to benefit the local community. Attendees also heard how social value is being used in large infrastructure projects such as London’s new giant Tideway sewer system, and helping drive positive impact for organisations from Liverpool Football Club to National Highways. It was made abundantly clear throughout the day that, when used effectively, social value can be transformative. It can create thousands of employment and training opportunities, unlock billions of investment in new low carbon products, and generate millions for reinvestment in vital infrastructure to benefit people and planet. However, while this agenda has made significant progress since the passing of the Social Value Act over a decade ago, our discussions through the day and the new research we presented also show there is still much more work to do before the full potential of this pioneering approach is truly realised. Launched at the Summit, ‘the state of social value in public sector spending’ showed that while local authority engagement has increased since we last ran this research exercise in 2016, many still never even apply social value. With council budgets squeezed and services at breaking point, a social value approach to ensure commissioning and procurement benefits local communities is needed more than ever – but unfortunately a lack of clarity and consistency across the country means this opportunity is often missed. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT With a General Election on the horizon, Summit attendees discussed not only what changes are needed over the next decade but specifically in the next Parliament to better support our growing movement. If we are to achieve the goals on our Social Value 2032 Roadmap, it’s vital that we continue pushing for better and more complete implementation of the Act.  The Social Value Leaders’ Summit forms part of our ongoing Social Value 2032 programme. This ambitious work delivered in partnership with PwC and Jacobs looks to put social value at the heart of commissioning and procurement, maximising the positive impact of every pound spent. If you’d like to get involved, please email jennifer.exon@socialenterprise.org.uk

20 Mar

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2 min

Member updates

Charitable social enterprise GLL to operate Newham Leisure Centres from 1 April

The UK’s leading leisure and cultural charitable staff-owned trust, which runs services under the Better brand, is due to start an exciting new 10 year partnership with Newham Council that promises to increase physical activity levels and improve the customer experience for residents in one of London’s fastest growing boroughs.  Newham Council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents, as outlined in the local authority’s ‘Building a Fairer Newham’ objectives, to make the borough healthier and to support people to age well. This is particularly in relation to improving life expectancy; increasing satisfaction with services and reducing loneliness and isolation. Maximising the use of our leisure assets and green spaces provides a huge opportunity to impact on the wider determinants of health.  Not-for-profit GLL will use its wealth of experience and socially purposed business model to enhance the leisure service – investing in grassroots sports, facilities and accessible activities to improve life in the borough - for existing and new customers. Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “Our new partner GLL shares our ambition to achieve sustainable results in addressing health inequities through increasing activity levels and improving the overall well-being of our residents. “This change will benefit all of us. It aligns with our corporate priorities; 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham (2024-2027), the Well Newham approach and more generally, our values of putting people at the heart of everything we do. “I look forward to seeing what the future brings but there is no doubt, the health and wellbeing of all residents will, as always, be a central focus.” Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL said: "We are very much looking forward to bringing Newham's customers and colleagues back into the GLL family and sharing the benefits of our socially purposed business model through this return to a long-term partnership with Newham Council - a dynamic and forward-thinking borough. "In addition to helping local residents get more active and offering staff great training and development, we will be extending opportunities to talented local athletes through our annual GLL Sport Foundation Awards - now in their 16th year." “We look forward to working with the staff of activeNewham who have operated these community facilities for the last 10 years.” Beyond the centres, the contract will also support residents to be active in community settings, including green spaces, as part of the Active Communities programme – as well as supporting the 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham strategy. Leisure service users will initially notice 'GLL' and ‘Better’ branding appearing in centres and an enhancement to the look and feel going forward to enhance the customer experience. Bookings will be available seven days in advance on the Better_uk app.  Further details of the transfer are being communicated with customers and staff in the forthcoming days. For more information, visit: activeNewham : Leisure Transfer www.better.org.uk  https://www.gllsportfoundation.org

18 Mar

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2 min

News

Introducing the Home of Social Enterprise – our new building with the School for Social Entrepreneurs

It has been a longstanding ambition of ours to own a building and are delighted to announce that this has now become a reality! Through a pioneering partnership with our friends from the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) we have purchased 13-15 Dock Street in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Located around the corner from Tower Bridge, the former East End dock warehouse has been transformed into a hub of social enterprise activity. As well as giving us a permanent home, increasing our sustainability and resilience, in future we hope it will be a space to bring the wider social business world together and provide new collaborative opportunities for the sector. Buying the property was itself a model of sector collaboration as we and SSE set up a new limited liability company, the Home of Social Enterprise, to carry out the purchase. Our chief executive, Peter Holbrook CBE, said: “This important achievement has been a real collective effort that we feel reflects the very spirit of our sector: working towards systemic positive change and doing business in a way that doesn’t just benefit ourselves but also the community, the social enterprise movement and environment around us.  “After many years of effort, I’m delighted that we now have a long-term home and an asset that I believe will help strengthen and secure our organisation’s future. This massive undertaking would not have been possible without CAF Bank, CHK Foundation, Postcode Innovation Trust and City Bridge Foundation, as well as the work of many social enterprise supporters.”  Alistair Wilson, chief executive for SSE, added: “We’re thrilled to elevate our longstanding partnership with Social Enterprise UK as we join forces in our new shared space! It’s more than just a building; it’s a beacon for collaboration, a home for social entrepreneurship and a symbol of our commitment to long-term sustainability. “We would like to thank David Adair, Head of Community Affairs at PwC, and his colleagues for their instrumental support throughout this transition. We’re so grateful for their expertise in facilitating our move – and of course, for providing our previous accommodation at the Old Fire Station on Tooley Street, which was exceptional.” We look forward to welcoming you to our new home!

11 Mar

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2 min

Member updates

Spectrum Community Health CIC Joins Forces with Hestia to Create Digital Safe Haven in Battle Against Domestic Abuse

Spectrum Community Health CIC proudly announces its collaboration with Hestia and their UK SAYS NO MORE campaign, through the launch of the Online Safe Spaces initiative. This groundbreaking project, which debuts on International Women's Day, marks a significant milestone in the fight against domestic abuse. In today's digital era, the need for safe online environments is more crucial than ever, especially for those affected by domestic abuse. Shocking statistics reveal that 1 in 5 adults experience domestic abuse during their lifetime, with women and men both affected, making it a pervasive issue in society. Last year alone, 2.4 million adults in the UK fell victim to domestic abuse. Recognising this urgent need, Spectrum is proud to join forces with Hestia to address this critical issue head-on. The Online Safe Spaces initiative introduces a secure haven within Spectrum Community Health CIC's website and staff intranet, providing individuals with a discreet pathway to support, and resources related to domestic abuse. This innovative tool, already adopted by major national websites such as the Post Office, British Gas, and TSB, ensures 100% confidentiality, leaving no internet history. It is free to install and use, offering a lifeline to those in need. Linda Harris, Chief Executive at Spectrum, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Our collaboration with Hestia marks a significant milestone in combating domestic abuse. By joining forces and implementing Online Safe Spaces, we're taking a bold step forward in providing expert support services to victims in need. This initiative not only ensures accessibility but also offers a sense of security and confidentiality crucial for those navigating such sensitive situations. It's about empowering victims, ensuring they know they're not alone, and that help is just a click away." Incorporating Online Safe Spaces into organisational websites is not just a corporate responsibility, but a vital step in breaking the silence surrounding domestic abuse. The Online Safe Spaces webpage offers a wealth of information and resources, accessible discreetly and in multiple languages. With features like a quick exit function and non-appearance in browsing history, it prioritises the safety of those seeking support. Sarah Dodds, Head of Marketing at Spectrum, emphasised the organisation's commitment to promoting health and wellbeing in vulnerable communities. She stated, "At Spectrum, we believe in providing quality healthcare for all, regardless of circumstances. Our dedication to excellence extends to initiatives like the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign and Online Safe Spaces, as we strive to create safe environments both physically and digitally." Spectrum Community Health CIC encourages those affected by domestic violence to access their Online Safe Spaces, found at the bottom of their website pages, or through partner organisations within the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign. About Spectrum Community Health CIC Spectrum Community Health CIC provides quality healthcare interventions for people in vulnerable circumstances. We work in partnership to provide primary care, substance misuse and sexual health services, in the community and in secure environments including prisons, hospitals and immigration centres. As a not-for-profit social business, we are committed to addressing health inequalities and investing in the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. spectrum-cic.org.uk

08 Mar

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3 min

Member updates

RAW collaborates with Morgan Sindall Construction and Oxford Brookes University to deliver sustainable furniture

Morgan Sindall Construction have completed work on the Elm building at Oxford Brookes University’s Clive Booth Student Village. The Elm building is one of four buildings being created as part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the University’s accommodating site, delivering 515 new en-suite rooms and social spaces for the 2024/25 academic year. Handed over to the University ahead of Semester Two of the current academic year, the Elm building can provide up to 98 students with sustainable and attractive accommodation as part of Oxford Brookes’ Headington Campus. As part of the fit-out at the student accommodation site, Morgan Sindall and the University worked collaboratively with social enterprise RAW and the scheme’s architects Mica to produce a high quality design. RAW have delivered the first 14 sets of an overall project of 80 stylish RAW 300 range benches and tables in the communal kitchen areas – with tops all made of 100% recycled domestic appliances.  RAW is a social enterprise that specialises in making high-quality, sustainable indoor and outdoor furniture in Oxford that has both social and environmental value. RAW employs people who have overcome some of life’s most adverse scenarios, with 70% of its workforce having fought and won against challenges including addiction, mental health issues, and criminality previously. RAW prides itself on the high quality of its products and services, which in turn tackles prejudice and preconceptions of what people who’ve had diverse experiences can become and achieve. United with their embedded social value the RAW 300 range sets also deliver on sustainability goals. They are designed incorporating tops that are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. Using the internal plastic from domestic fridges destined for waste, the RAW 300 delivers a more sustainable, attractive and hard wearing option. Alongside the new furnishings, RAW’s Recycling Service has also collected offcuts from construction from the Morgan Sindall site. 50% of the waste collected is then given a second life by RAW in products or resold to the local community. The Morgan Sindall team have purchased picnic benches and upcycled office chairs from RAW for their own use. Steve Vaux, Operations Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village was created to make a sustainable and social home-from-home for students, so RAW was a natural fit when it came to furnishing the interior. It’s great to work with such an inspirational social enterprise which has a profound social impact in the immediate area. The furniture is exceptional, and we can’t wait for the students to enjoy them.” “The fact that our social principles are closely aligned with Oxford Brookes University and RAW really supercharged our collaborative partnership. The project’s success is a great showcase for the various ways a development can generate benefits for the local area, as not only were we engaging the local supply chain, with RAW situated very close to the site, but we provided valuable opportunities and support to people from the local area with challenging backgrounds. What’s more, by using recycled materials we’re driving down the building’s carbon footprint to provide a truly sustainable environment for students and the local community.”  Mark Tugwell, Deputy Director of Estates & Campus Services at Oxford Brookes University, said: "We partnered with RAW due to their high-quality furniture, commitment to sustainably sourced materials, and inspirational social impact which continues to change lives. For a project as important as the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village, we are ensuring that the living spaces for our students are of the highest quality. RAW worked closely with us to ensure their final product met this standard and I am sure students will love the furniture and the fact that it is made out of old domestic appliances." Rick Mower, Managing Director of RAW said: “The commitment from Morgan Sindall and the team at Oxford Brookes University to truly embed social and sustainability value at scale has been inspiring. At RAW we set out to prove, by the quality of our products and services, that a person’s past doesn’t define them and this project has been a perfect platform to do that. It highlights that visionary and determined leadership on the client and main contractor side is what ultimately makes the difference, powering real change in society with no compromises on project delivery.”

07 Mar

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3 min

News

Fixing our economy with a new Business Plan for Britain

As part of our work in the Future Economy Alliance, today we brought together cross-party politicians and cross-sector business leaders in Parliament to discuss our new Business Plan for Britain, which sets out how the government can work in partnership with mission-led organisations to address huge social and environmental challenges. This newly published report sets out the national policy changes that can empower mission-led business to create a stronger, fairer, greener economy. From reforming the way we do business to putting power in the hands of local communities, and transforming public services to creating a people-powered green transition, the Plan presents a host of policy recommendations that can fix our broken economy. Read the report here An estimated four million of us work in social enterprise and other mission-led organisations; we’re living proof that business can be a force for good, and we need those in power to unleash our full potential. In an election year, we’re calling on our next government to recognise the importance of working for a purpose beyond profit and make our mission-led approach the national norm. Our chief executive Peter Holbrook CBE said: “Social Enterprise UK research provides a hefty evidence base for the impact of business with a purpose beyond profit – and in the face of so many complex challenges, we need this mission-led approach more than ever. The next government must seize the opportunity to unlock the potential for better business and fix our economy with bold reform that will deliver for generations to come.” It was heartening to see influential people taking an interest in our sector at the House of Lords event today – including cross-party MPs, national journalists and economic think-tanks – but publishing this report is just the start. We’re determined to make this a priority for the General Election and beyond. This month we’re also crowdfunding to create a stunt that will cut through the political noise with our bold message of change and hope. To build an economy that really works for our society, we need support from across that society. Will you help us? Support the campaign Please get involved with our campaign – donate if you can, use the toolkit to share it, and join the mailing list to find out about events or actions in future.

06 Mar

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2 min

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