Blogs

General Election Viewpoints: 6 - Creating people-powered housing

In the run-up to the General Election, Social Enterprise UK is providing a platform for its members to share their views in key policy areas. This blog is from Rob Greenland, co-director of Social Business Brokers CIC. They are best known for their Empty Homes Doctor service, and Rob is also a founder member of Leeds Community Homes. Read more

World Water Week: Karen Lynch, CEO, Belu Water on the contradictions faced by an ethical water brand

Karen Lynch, CEO, Belu Water talks about the contradictions faced by an ethical water brand.Read more

Tackling inequality requires us to re-imagine business - Erinch Sahan, Oxfam

Erinch Sahan, Acting Head of Private Sector, at Oxfam GB on why the current reality of mainstream business isn’t cutting the mustard when it comes to tackling inequality.Read more

Building Health Partnerships: Self-care

Our Programmes Officer, Nancy Towers explains the BHP: Self-care programme supporting Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) footprints to engage with the VCSE sector and citizens on wellbeing and self-care priorities.Read more

Summer Policy Briefing

Our Public Affairs Manager, James Butler, looks at what the policy agenda may hold for social enterprises as Parliament breaks for the Summer recess.Read more

Election Reflections

Our CEO Peter Holbrook looks back at the shock General Election results and what changes in Government may mean for the sector.Read more

Creating a Powerhouse that’s about people

What started as a Twitter discussion around the lack of female speakers at the Northern Powerhouse Conference in February rapidly became something much bigger, writes Tracy Fishwick.Read more

Latest

Thank God It's Social: Co-working Friday's for Social Entrepreneurs

Join us on the last Friday of the month for a day of co-working and an evening of drinks with our like minded community of social entrepreneurs. Whether you are interested in becoming a member, or just want to come in for the day, Thank God It's Social (or #TGIS for short) is a great opportunity to see the Impact Hub King's Cross community in action.

The Future of Business - State of Social Enterprise Survey 2017

The 2017 State of Social Enterprise Report, supported by Santander, is the largest, most representative survey of social enterprises in the UK. It shows a commercially resilient sector outperforming mainstream SMEs when it comes to turnover growth, innovation, business optimism, start-up rates, diversity in leadership and more. It points towards the Future of Business.

Social Enterprise UK Impact Report 2016/2017

Our fourth Impact Report covering the last financial year which saw us expand our work regionally and launch the Buy Social Corporate Challenge.

Meet The Buyers Fair Telefonica UK Slough Offices - 9th November 2017

Helping Social Enterprises engage with larger business procurement and stakeholders, the free Meet The Buyers Fair is an informal event where Social Enterprises and SMEs are invited to browse stalls held by industry leader procurement representatives.

Start your Social Enterprise

This guide takes you through the start-up essentials. Sponsored by NatWest.

Who we are

WE'RE THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP BODY FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Our members aren't just social enterprises. They also include private businesses, charities and public sector organisations who support our vision of a world where social enterprise is the usual way of doing business.

1. What are social enterprises?

UK Social Enterprise Awards 2017

Applications for the 2017 UK Social Enterprise awards have now closed. Shortlisted applicants will be announced in September. See here for info on booking tickets to this year's Awards Ceremony.

2. What social enterprises already exist?

What is it all about?

Social enterprises are businesses which a set up to change the world. Like traditional businesses they aim to make a profit but it’s what they do with their profits that sets them apart – reinvesting or donating it to create positive social change. Social enterprises exist in nearly every sector from consumer goods to healthcare, community energy to creative agencies, restaurants to facilities management. Well known examples include The Big Issue, Divine Chocolate and the Eden Project.