Thought Leadership

Our new government put forward a long list of Bills in the King’s Speech, many of which hold significant potential value for progressing social enterprise – from corporate governance reform to green investment, workers rights to mental health support, and community ownership to skills development. Overall, it seems our political leaders have nearly grasped that mission-led business can be key part of the answer to many of the challenges we - and they - face, but still not yet fully realised our potential.  The proposed Employment Rights Bill helps align mainstream business with practices already common among social enterprises. Social enterprises are more likely than other businesses to pay the Real Living Wage, offer flexible working and include staff in decision-making. Whereas mainstream businesses have a knee-jerk opposition to improving rights, social enterprises focus on addressing barriers, such as limitations imposed by public sector contracts. Proposed legislation to improve business behaviour and delivery for consumers on water [1], football, buses and rail offer an eclectic approach from nationalisation to sanctions. However, there is a common theme in focusing on purpose rather than profit across public services, utilities and community assets. While greater transparency is welcome, the Bill needs to be more ambitious, pushing all businesses to behave well rather than just trying to stop the worst offenders from exploiting gaps. Proposed corporate governance legalisation, for instance, is a missed opportunity to join the dots between poor performance of public service provision and regulation. It is also not yet clear how the government’s role in derisking private investment - as proposed across the National Wealth Fund, British Business Bank, UK Infrastructure Bank and more - will trickle down to SMEs and social enterprises, or how these huge funds will be owned and governed for the longer term. On Great British Energy, plans are still a bit muddled. The King’s Speech specifically said the government will develop, own and operate assets – rather than making investments, which was previously proposed. Either way, we await the detail on opportunities for community energy and whether communities will be able to take forward projects on similar terms to local authorities.    Both the Product Safety and Metrology Bill and Digital Information and Smart Data Bill provide opportunities to ensure democratic and inclusive access to technology and data – as set out through the Future Economy Alliance’s work [2], which Social Enterprise UK has helped convene. The English Devolution Bill offers potential to build on what we’ve already seen in the Devolved Nations and Mayoral Combined Authority areas, whereby strategic social enterprise support has been much stronger than in Westminster. We await more clarity about which departments and ministers will take responsibility for social enterprise, and where the commitment to grow diverse business models - doubling coops and mutuals - will sit. [1] Letter: Water crisis is a chance to reset business norms (archive.ph) [2]https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64a584ea841fde6445ba3478/t/65e208500a24c92b7c7e764d/1709312083037/Business+Plan+for+Britain+full+report.pdf

A play inspired by group of doctors working for City Health Care Partnership’s Macmillan service about what it’s like to live with (and beyond) cancer has now been turned into a film called KPOW! (Know the Power Of Words), to show everyone who has contact with cancer patients how powerful their words can be. Dr Kate Thomas, one of the doctors who commissioned the original play, explained how it came about. “It started with a conversation between Dr Hannah Coysh and Allyson Kent, who is living with cancer. They met at 5K Your Way, a Parkrun initiative for people impacted by a cancer diagnosis. “Allyson talked about her diagnosis and experience and what she’d learned. Hannah thought, ‘That sounds like a play!’ and the idea was born.” With funding from CHCP, Hannah, Kate and Dr Marie Cohen commissioned playwright Libby Pearson to write a play to be performed at a Macmillan conference in June 2023. It was extremely well received and Allyson felt that it needed to go further and be seen by more people, so the next step to was to make a film. The film was funded by Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance and Macmillan Cancer Support and premiered at Hull Truck Theatre on Monday 8 July. Everyone involved in the project is eager to share the message of KPOW! with as many people as possible, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, care workers and admin teams to spread its impact and influence and change the experience of people living with cancer for the better. You can watch the film on YouTube here About City Health Care Partnership CIC City Health Care Partnership CIC is an independent ‘for better profit’ and co-owned Community Interest Company responsible for providing local health and care services. Registered in England No: 06273905 We provide over 50 diverse services in community settings, including Palliative Care, District Nursing, TB Clinics, Sexual Health, Dentistry, Public Health, GP Practices, Urgent Treatment Centres, Community Rehabilitation, Eating Disorders, Domiciliary Care and Psychological Wellbeing to name but a few and employ around 2,000 people All profits from all our growing ventures are reinvested into services, colleagues and the communities in which we work. Our recent Social Return on Investment audit showed a return of £55.85 for every £1 spent on community funded activities. For more information on the services offered by CHCP CIC please see www.chcpcic.org.uk. Follow us on X www.twitter.com/CHCPHull. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com.

A group of gardeners with learning disabilities are celebrating after showing off their pioneering garden to tens of thousands of people at the world’s largest flower show. The gardeners from Furzey Gardens in Minstead brought their garden ‘Reflective waters of inclusivity’ to RHS Hampton Court Flower show last week after receiving huge support from the public. After issuing a call for support in March, the gardening team received over £10,000 through donations and a raffle, with the Royal Horticultural Society contributing £1,000. The funds allowed the team to construct their garden and travel from Hampshire to RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival each day in the week before the show to build the garden. Many of the gardeners have spent a lifetime struggling against discrimination and lacking in the opportunities that many other people enjoy. The garden allowed them to demonstrate the horticultural skills they have built over many years working at Furzey Gardens, a social enterprise run by local charity Minstead Trust. The gardens have been supporting people with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years, where they maintain the gardens and raise plants for sale in the nursery. The funds raised have assisted with significant materials, transport and support staff costs required to undertake this ambitious garden build. Plant growing and buying costs was also supported by these donations. The show garden aimed to help change perceptions in society towards people with learning disabilities. Many still feel socially left out and face stigma and discrimination in their everyday lives (Scior & Werner, 2015). Gardening can play a role in giving people purpose in their life and a chance to show what they can achieve. The garden was inspired by a small waterfall area next to Furzey’s popular lake area and features plants for which the woodland garden is renowned for such as an acer Palmatum hosta’s and salvia’s. Local artist Shaun Stevens created an artist’s impression of the garden, which is named ‘Reflective waters of inclusivity’. Special personal touches from the Minstead Trust community were added, including pebbles made from reclaimed clay dug out from beneath a fallen oak tree on Minstead Trusts’ grounds. These pebbles were not just decorative; they carried the initials of the people supported by Minstead Trust, as well as staff and volunteers. Additionally, bringing character to the garden were two fairy doors, some felt butterflies and frogs made by people with learning disabilities. Supported gardener Simon said ‘I told people about the plants. I love a garden, I think the garden is pretty.’ Supported gardener Rhianne said ‘I enjoyed telling everyone about the garden and the plants from Furzey. Seeing what people think of it and telling people what we do and what we like doing. I think that the garden is beautiful.’ John Davies, Minstead Trust senior instructor, said: ‘This was a really exciting challenge the guys took on, a chance for them to show what they can do if given opportunities that are usually not available to them. ‘Many of them have been through really hard times in their lives and they have loved standing at the show and feeling really proud of what they have achieved. I hope people will continue to support us so that we can change some minds around what people with learning disabilities can do if given a chance.’ Find out more about the garden at minsteadtrust.org.uk/hampton About Furzey Gardens Furzey Gardens is an informal woodland garden near Lyndhurst, which is open to the public. It is a social enterprise of Minstead Trust, providing training and work experience in aninspirational setting where people with learning disabilities can learn new skills in horticulture and hospitality. About Minstead Trust Minstead Trust, established in 1986, is a charitable organisation whose aims are to support people with learning disabilities to achieve greater independence, lead fulfilled lives and live as full citizens in society.Minstead Trust currently supports over 320 people in in Hampshire , Portsmouth and Dorset. We offer people the opportunity to develop skills for work, skills for life and improve their health and wellbeing. Work-based skills: training in practical skills in a range of work settings, including the expectations of a workplace such as time management, health and safety and customer service. Health and well-being: physical and creative activities to promote health and leisure skills. Life skills: practical training in the skills of everyday living, both in the home and out in the community. Training and support is provided through day opportunities, support for people living in their own tenancies or our residential care home, respite short breaks and community pay-as-you-go groups.

Billions of people will vote in national elections this year – in 97 countries around the world from the US to France, India, Brazil and beyond. There’s a lot happening. For some of us, these election campaigns are overlapping with the cricket 2020 world cup, then the Euros, which in turn run into Wimbledon, and the Tour de France, which will lead into the Olympics. For others, maybe House of the Dragon is competing with Glastonbury and Co-operative Fortnight, or whatever else you’ve got going on. It seems to be a busy, overlapping, even overwhelming and certainly confusing time. Anyway, congratulations to our new Labour government in forming a historic majority in Parliament. What does this mean for social enterprise? What have Labour said about us?  Well, there are some exciting signs, as well as some rather messy, fuzzy and confusing messages. Excitingly, the Labour manifesto makes a clear commitment to “support diverse business models” as well as aiming to double the size of the UK’s co-operative and mutuals sector. This is fantastic news. Any advocate for social enterprise - co-operative or otherwise - should celebrate this explicit commitment to alternative ownership models from the UK government, for the first time in a long time. At Social Enterprise UK, we are pleased and proud to have worked with our friends at Co-operatives UK and the Co-op Party in pushing both the tighter focus on co-ops and the broader agenda around business diversity. Meanwhile, Labour grandees are talking up the idea of an Office for the Impact Economy[1]. Labour mayors are - not just talking about – but also supporting the social economy in Bristol and London, business for good in West Yorkshire, and the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester. Our partners in the Future Economy Alliance have come together under the banner of mission-led businesses (which echoes Labour’s talk of mission-led government) while others have decided they like the term purpose driven business. There’s a lot going on. These terms can be confusing. Of course they overlap. Many of our members are social enterprises and co-operatives and mutuals, driven by purpose and focused on a mission. Ultimately, even while we may pine for greater convergence and consistency in language, the good news is that we now have the government’s manifesto, as well as powerful regional and national politicians, focused on our movement, seeing social enterprise and family as part of the solution. We must await what this means in practice for helping social enterprises grow and thrive. Will these promises help smooth the flow of funding and finance, improve procurement and public services, level the playing field and the business landscape, and bolster the capacity of entrepreneurs and teams working in social enterprises? As the leading national voice for social enterprise, we will of course work to help turn the government’s policy promises into practical and useful support for our members and beyond. The new government has set out various other policies in its manifesto. Many of our members will be pleased to see the commitment to more care delivered locally, to spotting problems earlier and shifting resources to community services. Others will have questions about using public funds to de-risk private investment, with concerns about socialising risk and privatising reward. Some will want to deepen commitment to addressing the climate emergency. A lot would like a little less talk of UK PLC and a more imaginative conception of UK CIC. Some of us are impatient for deeper, more structural transformation across our economy, democracy, and country. Today’s change of government is just the start. By Dan Gregory - Director at Social Enterprise UK [1] https://www.cityam.com/labour-must-partner-with-businesses-in-the-impact-economy/ https://www.probonoeconomics.com/what-would-an-office-for-the-impact-economy-mean-for-charities

Corporate supply chains are changing. Big businesses increasingly look at environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations when it comes to who they spend their money with, and we’ve been at the heart of this shift. Our Buy Social Corporate Challenge is now entering its ninth year of supporting big businesses to bring social enterprises into their supply chains. Since launching at Downing Street in 2016, £477 million has been spent with social enterprises by 30 major corporate partners across all business sectors. The premise of the Challenge is simple: working with corporates to use their core business spend to create positive social and environmental impact. Buying from social enterprises allows companies to make progress across ESG priorities, through spending their money with organisations dedicated to addressing social issues and protecting our planet. Our latest annual report shows the Challenge had the most successful year ever, as partners spent £123 million with social enterprise suppliers. These range from businesses tackling period poverty and re-purposing old office furniture to those creating jobs for people marginalised by the labour market - such as those experiencing homelessness, refugees and the long-term unemployed. Around 4,515 social enterprise jobs have been created thanks to contracts won through the Challenge, with 992 social enterprises supplying Challenge partners last year alone. The number of trading relationships between social enterprise suppliers and Challenge buyers has increased by 74% in just the last two years, showing rising interest in social procurement. Charlie Wigglesworth, Deputy Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “These latest results show that our Buy Social Corporate Challenge is not some well-meaning experiment for businesses willing to try something different – it’s a powerful force for change in corporate supply chains. We’re proud to see social enterprise at the forefront of this transformation. “Crucially, every single one of our corporate partners reported that social enterprises deliver comparable or higher quality products or services compared with other suppliers – a glowing endorsement and reminder that doing business with purpose beyond profit doesn’t mean compromising on standards. “With millions being reinvested in people and planet through our Challenge and the wider social procurement movement, we hope our vital work continues to inspire the public and private sectors to take action for the future of business.” Click here to read the Buy Social Corporate Challenge Year 8 Impact Report The Buy Social Corporate Challenge partners are Amey, AstraZeneca, AXA, CBRE, Compass/Foodbuy, Co-op, Deloitte, Equans, EY, John Sisk & Son Ltd, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, Landmarc Support Services, Lendlease, Linklaters, LV=, Mitie, Nationwide, Nestle, NFU Mutual, PwC, Robertson Group, SAP, Siemens, Sodexo, The Crown Estate, Wates Group, Willmott Dixon, and Zurich Insurance Group. To find out more about our social procurement work and how your business can get involved in our programmes click here or contact socialprocurement@socialenterprise.org.uk

Celia Hodson, the visionary founder of Hey Girls CIC and the PickupMyPeriod App, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her remarkable contributions to promoting period dignity and raising awareness of free period products in Scotland. This prestigious honour was announced as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List in June 2024, recognising Celia’s tireless dedication to social enterprise and charitable initiatives. Celia Hodson has been a pioneering force in the movement for period dignity. Hey Girls CIC, established under her leadership, has become a beacon for tackling period poverty and promoting menstrual health education. The organisation’s innovative “buy one, donate one” model has ensured that for every product sold, another is donated to someone in need, positively impacting countless lives across the UK. Additionally, Hodson’s brainchild, the My Period App, has revolutionised access to free period products. The app helps users locate nearby sources of free menstrual products, thus removing barriers for those who struggle to afford these essential items. Celia’s achievements extend beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She was named the National Great British Entrepreneur of the Year and has received numerous leadership awards for her relentless commitment to social justice and community well-being. Her work has not only addressed an often-overlooked issue but has also inspired a broader conversation about period dignity and gender equality in the workplace. Upon receiving news of her OBE, Celia Hodson expressed her heartfelt gratitude: "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. This award is a testament to the incredible support and collaboration from my team at Hey Girls, our Community Partners and our customers, and the users and advocates of the My Period app. Together, we are making strides toward a world where period poverty is a thing of the past, and menstrual health is a fundamental right for all." The OBE is a fitting acknowledgment of Celia’s unwavering dedication and innovative approach to promoting period dignity and raising awareness of free period products. Her work continues to pave the way for future generations, ensuring that period products are accessible to everyone, and sparking vital conversations about menstrual equity. For media inquiries, please contact: Harriet Brooks, Marketing Manager harriet@heygirls.co.uk About Hey Girls CIC Hey Girls CIC is a Scottish social enterprise dedicated to eliminating period poverty in the UK. Through their unique “buy one, donate one” model, Hey Girls provided 40 million sustainable period products and menstrual health education to those in need. About My Period App My Period is Charity with a groundbreaking app designed to help users locate free period products in their vicinity. The PickupMyPeriod app aims to ensure that everyone has access to essential menstrual products across the UK, regardless of their financial situation.

Diverse Voices are tackling violence against women and girls across London with support from The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and The Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund (ESDF) We're thrilled to be launching our creative arts-based learning programmes, that inspire young people to make healthy choices whilst educating them around harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), healthy relationships, consent and online safety. Over the next two years we'll be working with schools and alternative provisions across Waltham Forest, Hackney, Redbridge, and Islington, thanks to grants administered by The London Community Foundation (LCF). “We are deeply grateful for the backing from MOPAC, ESDF, and LCF. Their support enables us to bring our impactful programmes to young people in under-resourced areas, as we continue to prioritise those at most risk of the issues we address.” - Alex Williams, Co-Founder / Managing Director. Our work with Year 9 and 10 students will engage them through a combination of active learning and drama-based facilitation, incorporating online resources from our bespoke e-learning platform. This platform features educational, interactive video content co-created with our beneficiaries, ensuring that the material is relevant and engaging. In 2023, our preventative arts-based learning programmes proved to be highly effective, with an 80% increase across beneficiary understanding, awareness, and preparedness to act on the topics covered. “We can’t wait to get to work and make a difference in the lives of young people across these boroughs. Our approach not only educates but empowers students to make informed decisions about their relationships and safety.” - Dwayne Gumbs, Founder / Artistic Director. For more information about Diverse Voices and our programmes, please visit www.diversevoices.co.uk or contact Dwayne Gumbs at dwayne@diversevoices.co.uk. 

The various forms of repayable finance in the social investment sector play an important role in the social enterprise support eco-system, and can be vital for growth and development. However, the sector has been subject to scrutiny in terms of staff and portfolio diversity - particularly in terms of racial inclusion, and its ability to direct investment where it is most needed. Our new report, published with the London School of Economics and supported by the Connect Fund, uses elite education as a proxy to investigate aspects of diversity not yet well analysed in the sector: socio-economic inclusion, and the role of power and privilege among those who work for social investors.  The LinkedIn profiles of individuals working at social investment institutions were used as the main source of information to inform this research. Findings showed that 19% of employees had studied at an elite university with 12% of those sampled having studied at Oxford or Cambridge, more than ten times that of the UK population. Elite-educated employees represent a higher proportion of employees in social investment organisations than in the population in general, and a similar proportion to those in the mainstream investment sector. Given the variety of types of social investment providers, the research looked at the educational background of staff at different sorts of investors - with venture capital investors and social investment ‘wholesalers’ containing the highest proportion of individuals with an elite education, while social banks and Community Development Financial Institutions contained the least. The education of social enterprise leaders themselves was also studied, with analysis suggesting that being privately educated did not mean you were more likely to access funding or finance. However, interviews with those working in social enterprises who attended a state secondary school raised the need for investors to have a better understanding of working-class businesses in working-class communities. Whilst many social investors are taking steps to address imbalances in terms of diversity, it is important that the role of socio-economic advantage is incorporated into this work, so that investment can be better directed to people and communities that have been historically disenfranchised. The research was supported by the Connect Fund