Thought Leadership

Social Enterprise Day is coming up in just two weeks time on 20 November! It's a global day created to raise the profile of the social enterprise movement and show the transformative impact it is having across the world. It's a great chance for you to share your stories, learn more about your fellow social enterprises, and feel part of this community, which is changing lives on pretty much every continent!  Take part in our campaign We know that social enterprises are changing the way business is done, but not enough people do! This needs to change, and this year we've come up with a fun, creative social media campaign to give you the chance to showcase what it is that makes social enterprises so special, and how they are vital to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.  How to get involved on 20 November We've created an editable social media video graphic on Canva, which not only sets out the definition of a social enterprise (in emoji form!) but also gives you space to talk about what you do in a creative and engaging way. CLICK HERE TO EDIT AND DOWNLOAD YOUR CAMPAIGN GRAPHIC All you need to do is click on the above link and edit the final text block to talk about what you do and your impact! Just enter a short bit of text into the last box on the image to explain what impact your social enterprise creates. You can then download it as a video.For the body of your post, you could say something along the lines of:We're a proud social enterprise and today is #SocialEnterpriseDay - a moment to raise awareness and celebrate the amazing work carried out by these businesses around the world, including [insert company name]. But what is a social enterprise?...If you've not yet got a Business Canva account, and don't want to pay for one, you can use a personal email address to access the editable file for free.Alternatively, you can use this image instead, which isn't editable but sets out what a social enterprise is! (you can of course talk about your impact in the body of your post.)It's a simple action, but if we get enough organisations posting, we'll show the huge diversity of social enterprises in the UK, the problems they're tackling, and the solutions they are bringing! When to post  What's crucial to make this campaign as impactful as possible is that we all post at the same time on Social Enterprise Day. Share your post at 10am on your social media channels such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebookand be sure to like and comment on those of friends and colleagues in the sector! Do let us know if you've any Social Enterprise Day plans. Use #SocialEnterpriseDay and let's take over social media with our positive stories of impact, community, and a better way of doing business.If you've any questions about getting involved, please email internalcommunications@socialenterprise.org.uk.We can't wait to see your posts!

Community Dental Services CIC (CDS) is proud to announce the launch of its new green mobile dental unit, designed to deliver essential dental care across communities while dramatically reducing environmental impact.  The state-of-the-art mobile clinic is powered primarily by biofuel - a more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel - ensuring lower emissions on the road. Once on site, the unit operates entirely on solar and battery power, providing a quiet, zero-emission environment for both patients and the dental team. A diesel generator is included only as a backup for extended operations in remote areas, ensuring service continuity without compromising CDS’s commitment to sustainability.  Glen Taylor, Chief Operating Officer for CDS’s East regions said “We are delighted to now have the first of our two brand new green mobiles ready and on the road, delivering dental care more sustainably than ever before. Running off biofuel, with the addition of solar panels reduces our carbon emissions and operational noise. With the introduction of our eco-conscious mobile units, CDS continues to demonstrate our leadership in both community wellbeing and environmental responsibility.”  Nicola Blake, Strategic Mobiles Lead said “Our fleet of eight mobile dental units provide a positive dental experience for many people who have not been able to access this in the past and being on wheels, we are able to get into the heart of those communities who experience barriers to care. Having worked on our new green mobile, the solar energy created by the roof panels has created a much quieter environment on board.”   The mobile dental clinic vehicle, which includes custom body build and internal fit-out has been designed and produced by Torton Bodies Ltd. James Andrews, Torton's Managing Director said "This is a first of its kind for us. Whilst we produce many mobile dentals clinics, this will be our first which predominantly runs on lithium batteries, using solar and generator as a means of back up. To our knowledge there isn't another one like this in the UK and it's been a fantastic project to work with CDS on.”   CDS’s fully equipped mobile dental units deliver exceptional dental care at different locations, including additional needs settings, mental health secure units, child secure units and treating people who are homeless. About CDS  Community Dental Services CIC (CDS) is a 100% employee-owned social enterprise providing community dental services to the NHS and oral health improvement programmes throughout Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk & Waveney and Nottinghamshire.  - Together we will enable our communities to enjoy a better quality of life -  communitydentalservices.co.uk 

Dan Gregory, Associate Director at Social Enterprise UK, reflects upon a trip to Plymouth - a hotspot of social enterprise activity with social enterprises running everything from generating energy and delivering dental care to running cherished local assets and driving innovation, including an idea for a new social enterprise fishfinger. Plymouth was the UK’s first official Social Enterprise City. While I hadn’t visited for ten years, I had followed progress and been in contact with Gareth Hart, Chair of the Plymouth Social Enterprise Network. Gareth is a fantastic advocate for the movement, both locally and more widely, and generously hosted a visit for four members of the Social Enterprise UK team to the city. What an absolute privilege to see such energetic social enterprises in action. A refreshing break from my usual trudge and drudge of drawing up policy briefings or government consultation responses, and being roundly ignored by NHS officials, to see real, actual social enterprise getting on with it. Let’s retread our steps! Here we are at Moments café, run by Memory Matters, a social enterprise that provides dedicated support to those affected by dementia. This is a warm and welcoming place, serving homemade comfort food, and at the same time, successfully competing with Costa just around the corner. Off to Union Street, where Nudge Community Builders’ dizzying ambition is renovating and unlocking empty buildings. The Plot hosts 18 small businesses, and hosts support for women starting their own enterprise - a SHE Plymouth programme delivered by Iridescent. The old Clipper pub is now home to Plymouth Jollof Kitchen CIC. We visited a mushroom farm in the basement of the old nightclub at C103. Space in Union Corner can be booked for £6 an hour. The Millennium building is opening up for young people and CNC machines to fit out new homes. By this time next week, Nudge will probably be turning half of Cornwall into a workshop for 3D printed specialist Korean salad leaves, creating jobs for ex-offenders in a hexagonal greenhouse literally made out of hope. Then we walked to Plymouth Energy Community, which combines a mix of fuel poverty alleviation and retrofit advice, powered by community shares and cross-subsidy from solar energy generation. A local power plan before the Local Power Plan. Over the bridge to Peninsula Dental, training the next generation of dental professionals, and treating vulnerable people in partnership with Plymouth University. Then to see old friends at Real Ideas Organisation in Devonport Market Hall, brought back from the dead to house the best immersive 360 degree auditorium in Europe, co-working spaces, a cafe and more. Here we heard from the diverse social enterprise community and two of the largest anchor organisations in the city. Plymouth Community Homes manages over 16,000 homes, while Livewell Southwest provides health and social care services for people across the city and beyond, employing 3,000 staff. Among old friends and established powerhouses, we also encountered start-ups and new ideas. Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association and the University have “co-designed a Plymouth fishfinger” which is nearing production and sets out to solve about four local problems all at once. Making use of low-value fish, reducing waste, reopening the old fishing auction hall, generating income for the local fishing community, and healthier food in schools. The social enterprise fishfinger could be the answer! While the vibrancy of this Social Enterprise Place is first and foremost thanks to the hard work of each local social entrepreneur, of course, the enabling environment also helps. We explored how Rank Foundation has invested millions in this area. Status as the world’s first Social Enterprise City has helped attract attention and resources. The Council are onside. And the long-term commitment and expertise of local experts and enablers such as Gareth, and Lindsey and Ed from RIO are undeniable factors. Together, we discussed the challenges of business rates and the availability of appropriate funding and finance. Meanwhile, billions of pounds of investment is coming to the city over the next few decades, with Plymouth harbouring Britain’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent. What is the relationship between investment in defence and social value? What are the ethics of working with defence companies? And more widely, how can we ensure social value isn’t just an accounting game to be played by corporates? The Government’s Pride in Place money is also coming to Plymouth. How do we ensure social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals, community businesses (or even the impact economy or IDBMs if we really must) harness these opportunities to deliver change that communities feel? Finally, we get back on the train, more aware than ever of the importance of the fight for national changes that make this incredible local work more possible, everywhere. Thank you, Plymouth, for the inspiration.

September 2025 was a landmark month for Stitch, with the team delivering some of their biggest and most diverse projects - adding up to its biggest month to date. Every milestone contributes to Stitch’s mission: helping to combat homelessness, create second chances, and cut waste in the events industry. Highlights from the month included: World Design Congress at the Barbican – welcoming over 1,300 people in person and 2,800 online, the event was described as “all in all just brilliant.” UK Inclusive Sourcing Summit at the Guildhall – the first of its kind, this event championed diverse businesses entering corporate supply chains. Johnson & Johnson exhibitions – three striking stands across both Innovative Medicine and MedTech. CBRE Supplier Partner Event 2025 – supported by Stitch’s production team, providing expert media services. This record month marks a significant boost in impact. Full data will be shared in Stitch’s upcoming report. For now, the team is focused on building on 2024’s strong results, when 92% of materials were reused across productions and over 1,700 hours of Living Wage+ work were created for people affected by homelessness. To see more of Stitch’s work and join the community, follow them on LinkedIn – and if you’d like to discuss future projects, the team would love to hear from you. Stitch provides event production with social and environmental impact built-in -  Stitch is part of Connection Crew CIC, a social enterprise delivering stellar crewing services and creating living wage work for people affected by homelessness for nearly 20 years.  stichlive.co.uk

Jubilee Hall Trust Ltd has confirmed that GLL, a not-for-profit Social Enterprise and the UK’s largest leisure trust, will take over Jubilee Hall Gym in Covent Garden and in doing so will secure the long-term future of this much-loved community space. The leisure operator, which operates under the “Better” brand, has committed to investing £250k into the facility, introducing new gym equipment, refreshing the studio and changing rooms and installing a new hot water boiler.  A new programme of activities will also be introduced to supplement the existing offer and Jubilee Hall Gym members will be given immediate access to Better leisure facilities across London and the wider UK, including the nearby indoor and outdoor swimming pools at the Oasis Sports Centre in Holborn. Members of the Gym will also be eligible to apply for funding and practical help from the GLL Sport Foundation, the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK. GLL has committed to honour existing arrangements for the gym’s self-employed personal trainers and other hirers for a minimum of six months, with staff transferred to GLL employment via the standard TUPE process. Jon Giles, Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee Hall Trust Ltd said: “I am pleased that GLL, a Social Enterprise with the same values as Jubilee Hall Trust will take over at Jubilee Hall Gym. Not only will this safeguard the Gym for many years to come, providing security for personal trainers and hirers who remained loyal to us during recent, difficult times and enhancing members’ benefits considerably, it will also bring much needed investment which we simply could not afford to make. In addition, it will enable our Trust to continue the important community work we do within our other centres. Opening after Covid with limited cash reserves to navigate through energy and cost of living crises put the charity at significant risk of closure but we now have a brighter future ahead of us. “ Carol Martin, Chair of the Jubilee Hall Trust trustees added: “The trustees are delighted to be handing over the reins at Jubilee Hall Gym to GLL.  GLL offers benefits for members that far exceed anything we were able to provide, which I hope will encourage more members of the local communities back to Jubilee Hall Gym. I’m proud of how hard Jon and his team have worked in keeping services running at Jubilee Hall during very difficult times.  It is thanks to them and to the high regard that Jon is held within the community leisure sector, that we have been able to secure this offer from GLL. As such an experienced, well-established community leisure facilities provider, we are confident that Jubilee Hall Gym and its members will be in safe hands. “ Peter Bundey, Chief Executive Officer at GLL said: “This is good news for the local community, staff and partners. “We will rejuvenate the facilities, improve the member offer and increase membership numbers, creating a space that is welcoming to everyone regardless of age, fitness levels or financial means.  We will work to put Jubilee Hall back on a level financial footing, while our Social Enterprise status means that any future financial surpluses will be reinvested back into the inner London communities we serve.” It is anticipated that Jubilee Hall Gym will be transferred to GLL by the end of November 2025. About GLL GLL is a not-for-profit social enterprise committed to providing affordable leisure, fitness, and cultural activities to communities across the UK. Operating under the brand “Better,” GLL manages over 240 leisure centres, libraries, and community services in partnership with local councils and organisations. GLL’s mission is to improve lives through accessible and high-quality sports, leisure and cultural services, reinvesting its profits to further its social objectives. gll.org About Jubilee Hall Trust The Jubilee Hall Trust is a charity that aims to build strong healthy communities by promoting the fitness and wellbeing of the individuals within them. The Trust will continue to operate three health, fitness and sports centres in Hampstead, Southwark and Westminster and manage outreach community programmes such as GP Referral, Healthy hearts as well as invest more time to get their cancer Prehab and Rehab programmes off the ground with the Royal Free.

The Government’s 10 Year Plan for the NHS may have just recently been made public, but social enterprises have long been delivering the kind of services it aspires to. Read this new report to be inspired by the ways social enterprises are already transforming the NHS and the way services are created and delivered. From breaking down barriers to care for vulnerable groups such as female prisoners to reducing emergency admissions, from working with patients to co-create services to finding innovative ways to lower waiting times - you'll find examples of the social enterprise effect from across the country. As well as qualitative research, the paper also presents quantitative research looking across a range of performance metrics, including CQC ratings, workplace culture and financial performance. What it shows is the impact of social enterprises in providing better healthcare with happier and healthier workforces. Discover the social enterprise effect in the NHS in this animation which brings the key findings of the report to life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0uChDYPMo

Politics can sometimes seem like a soap opera, but in a week of government reshuffles and resignations, the crucial work of evidencing the impact of social enterprises and building political support for them continued within the corridors of power.   On Monday 9 September, the Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group and its Chair Patrick Hurley MP hosted the third of four evidence sessions as part of its inquiry into how government can realise its commitment to grow diverse business models.   The session brought together voices from across the UK, to explore how policy and investment can better enable social enterprises to thrive locally.  Why place-based infrastructure organisations and support are so important  Rebecca Smith, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), emphasised the pivotal role of local infrastructure bodies. “We are trusted, we are local, and we are responsive,” she explained. SEK supports over 1,500 social enterprises annually and distributes more than £1.3 million in funding. Rebecca also highlighted the Social Impact Gateway, which takes large-scale social value commitments from businesses and public bodies and translates them into small, accessible funding pots for local social enterprises and charities (VCSEs), bridging the gap between corporates and these organisations.    Kamran Rashid from Impact Hub Yorkshire echoed these sentiments, stressing that place-based organisations build trust within communities. He advocated for the need for ecosystem growth enablers to bring partners together, such as funders, investors, mentoring organisations, start-up and growth programmes. One idea was to roll out a network of infrastructure bodies focused on social enterprise, likening them to existing CVSs (Councils for Voluntary Services).  Annoushka Deighton, representing the We’re Right Here campaign, spoke about saving Stretford Public Hall through community action and how this was done through the help of organisations like Locality and the Architectural Heritage Fund, showcasing the power of support at both grassroots and national levels.  Supporting communities to buy, own and run assets  Stretford Public Hall is a great example of what happens when a community is allowed to take ownership of an asset, and the ‘We’re Right Here’ campaign has been set up to shift legislation to help support and grow the social economy by making it easier for people to have the power to shape the places where they live.   Annoushka detailed efforts to secure a “Community Right to Buy” in the English Devolution Bill. The Bill’s extending of the purchase window for community assets from 6 to 12 months was described as a “game-changer.” She also called for a “community right to control investment,” allowing local stakeholders to help determine how funds are allocated.  Phil Tulba from the Ubele Initiative provided further evidence of community empowerment. Ubele supports racially minoritised communities and manages the Wolves Lane Centre in North London. Through initiatives like the GIDA Housing Coop and the Phoenix Way programme, Ubele applies participatory decision-making and promotes equitable access to housing and infrastructure.  The need for long-term investment  Investment was a dominant theme. Rebecca Smith stressed that social enterprises need patient, long-term finance to grow. Short-term grant cycles and inaccessible social investment options remain barriers. Annoushka added that organisations often become so focused on chasing funding that they lose sight of their long-term mission.  Kamran underlined that impact takes time: “If this sector is to survive and thrive then it needs proper investment in the way other sectors have historically received.” He and Rebecca both pointed to the importance of seed funding for innovation and sustainability.  Ubele’s experience with the Flexible Finance Programme, developed with the Access Foundation and Social Investment Business, demonstrated how tailored, blended finance can make a difference. Within 18 months, the programme had surpassed its target for reaching racially minoritised communities, delivering over a £1 million of social investment and an additional million in grants into communities.   The local authority perspective  Amanda Ratsey from Plymouth City Council offered insight into how local authorities can champion social enterprise. Ten years ago, Plymouth launched a city-wide social enterprise strategy and established a £2 million fund, mixing grants with long-term, low-interest loans. Amanda stressed the need for revolving funds that incorporate wrap-around grant support.  She described efforts to connect local procurement with social enterprise through a planned “Plymouth Menu” and noted that being designated a defence growth area brings new opportunities for social value initiatives. Her key message to other councils: have a strategy, think long-term, and embrace innovation in financing.  Lessons from Scotland and Wales  The devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales have taken proactive steps to build supportive environments for social enterprise.  Wales: Bethan Webber, CEO of Cwmpas, attributed progress in Wales to strong legislation, particularly the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. This sets seven wellbeing goals for public bodies and “hardwires in a long-term preventative approach and collaboration into decision making.” Wales also mandates local authorities to promote social enterprises, co-ops and user-led services in care through the Social Services and Wellbeing Act.  Commitment from the Welsh Government, alongside work from Cympas, led to a doubling in employee-owned businesses, growing from 37 to nearly 100 in just two years. However, Bethan warned of an “implementation gap” between policy and practice and cited missed opportunities in children’s care reforms, where social enterprises and co-ops were overlooked.  Scotland: Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland, discussed Scotland’s co-produced ten-year social enterprise strategy launched in 2016. The government-funded Just Enterprise programme provides free business support, while other initiatives offer start-up and scale-up finance.  Education plays a key role, with schools running social enterprise projects that have inspired the next generation of entrepreneurs. Strong networks and support for inclusion underpin the Scottish model.   The inquiry will conclude with a fourth evidence session on 21st October and findings will be launched in Parliament on 19th November.  Photo taken from a Social Enterprise UK team visit to Social Enterprise Kent

Oxford brewery, bakery, and hospitality organisation Tap Social Movement is thrilled to announce that as of Monday, 8 September, it has been listed in 228 Waitrose supermarkets across the UK. Its year-round core beers Home and Dry (4.2% Hazy Pale Ale) and Time Better Spent (5.1% Juicy IPA) will be available in all 228 outlets, with Major Figures (4% Lager) and Jobsworth (3.4% Gluten-Free Pale Ale) also stocked in an additional six Oxfordshire markets. "We're so grateful for the opportunity to put Tap Social and two of our best-selling beers in front of Waitrose shoppers across the UK," says Marketing Manager Brian Spencer. "We hope that it helps spark more awareness and conversation about the UK's criminal justice system, and that more businesses see how our social mission of offering training and employment for people from prison can also work for them and benefit society at large." Tap Social's Waitrose listing follows news in August of earning its first stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards. Time Better Spent earned two stars -one of only 15 IPAs and pale ales in England to earn this distinction, while Jobsworth earned one star.  To date, Tap Social has created more than 100,000 hours of fairly paid employment for people from prison. Learn more about its mission at tapsocialmovement.com.