Thought Leadership

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. 

Our Head of Public Affairs, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, looks into what the latest government reshuffle might mean for social enterprises. Since the Labour government came into office, we have begun to see formal and informal realignments within our democracy and politics. Unquestionably, this will have an impact on the direction of our sector, its future and how social enterprises - with government support - respond to the challenges of today. To anyone interested in the affairs of Whitehall, it won’t have gone amiss that the government has focused on growth throughout the last 14 months. However, with the seemingly unstoppable rise of Reform UK, the public conversation has quickly shifted to the topic of immigration.    Reshuffles are a fact of political life and it’s tempting to speculate about the reasons for the comings and goings of ministers.  At SEUK, our role hasn’t changed: how we can best advocate for our sector? How do we ensure that social enterprises continue to grow? How can they command political support from those in local and national government? And how can we ensure that the broader policy environment recognises the contributions our sector makes to the British economy?    Since the general election, we have strengthened our relationship with Georgia Gould MP, who has now moved from working on public procurement and social value in the Cabinet Office to a new role in the Department of Education. We have collaborated with Alex Norris MP, who is now in the Home Office, and look forward to continuing our work with Department of Culture, Media and Sport Ministers Lisa Nandy MP and Stephanie Peacock MP, whilst warmly welcoming Ian Murray MP to the team. Whilst our work will not change, the same cannot be said for the direction of travel for the government.    This reshuffle provides a deeper insight into the political thinking behind Starmer’s vision for the country. The Birmingham Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood has been promoted to Home Secretary, and she has already suggested she’ll do whatever it takes to grip the crisis of boat landings on the English coast.   As the new chief secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones MP is now Starmer’s right-hand man in No10, which should only aid our social enterprise cause, given SEUK met with him before the summer recess. After citing Dame Anita Roddick, founder of ethical business The Body Shop as an inspiration in announcing his new role as the Business Secretary, we’re also optimistic that Peter Kyle MP will prove warm to our sector. Roddick’s widower Gordon has strong social enterprise ties, having helped start The Big Issue and later Divine Chocolate.    Rather like a game of chess, with this reshuffle the government is attempting to be more strategic towards its vision of growth, its command of the borders and its agility in the face of tough opposition. Social enterprises are a readymade key to unlock growth across our country, doing so equitably, with community and with purpose. In the coming months, SEUK will face the political changes coming and continue to leverage our network and relationships, building on the advocacy work of the last year. 

Social Enterprise UK's Director of Research and Policy, Emily Darko, looks at the government's consultation on procurement and social value, what its proposed changes may mean for social enterprises and how they can be improved, arguing that key to everything is a change in culture. At Social Enterprise UK, we’ve long pushed for a public procurement landscape that can better benefit from the wide and deep value that social enterprise delivery brings. In the face of ever-growing complexity and need, it has felt for some time that every step forward in social value or progressive commissioning is countered by lack of capacity, understanding, risk appetite or appropriate investment, and confusion of measurement or tracking. Government’s consultation on procurement and social value, led by Georgia Gould MP, closed on Friday 5 September. It's nice to have a consultation, but I pity the civil servants on the receiving end of this latest approach to improving procurement! What needs to change in commissioning and procurement is culture. Existing legislation broadly allows for all the good practice this consultation implies. The main caveat to this being social value – social value legislation needs more teeth. It needs to cover works and goods. It needs to be mandated.    Reporting, transparency and accountability could help government actors create space to understand and engage with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE’s) beyond the often ‘add-on’ approach at the moment. More is needed to help this work – oversight and scrutiny, training and capacity building, peer learning and best practice sharing. Building on the Contract Readiness Fund commissioned by DCMS in 2022 would be a step in the right direction. And mandating minimum VCSE spend and minimum social value weighting in tenders, alone, is insufficient. But does set a higher minimum bar to start from. The consultation alludes to, but doesn’t clearly set out a vision for change. Better commissioning approaches need co-production, trust, risk-taking and learning. Minimum standards are a start. Options around reserved contracts are a useful move towards commissioners identifying best solutions. But in a context of stretched budgets and stretched staff, improved practice requiring headspace and brains coming together for solutions is key. In more detail, this is how we see the government’s current consultation on procurement can add value: Mandating targets and accountability: a step in the right direction To ensure true accountability and drive meaningful change, government’s proposal to mandate large contracting authorities with a spend of over £100m to set and publish three-year targets for spending with SMEs and VCSEs  should also apply to large suppliers who are recipients of major contracts. 50% of government spend with SMEs is indirect, so it feels a huge missed opportunity (assuming similar demographics within VCSEs) to only focus on direct spend. Targets and reporting alone are not enough. They must be accompanied by a comprehensive strategy to support the sustained growth of VCSE and SME provision. This includes pre-commissioning collaboration, long-term contracting to provide stability, and reserved contracts to open up opportunities. A co-designed social value framework, developed in partnership with social enterprises and sector representatives, is also crucial to ensure that targets are meaningful and deliver genuine public benefit. Transparency as a foundation for change We strongly support the push for greater transparency in the procurement process. Extending the requirements of Section 70 of the Procurement Act to publish information on all payments, including those on below-threshold contracts, can help VCSEs understand where opportunities lie, both as direct suppliers and within larger supply chains. It would also allow external stakeholders to scrutinise data, providing insights into the representation and impact of different suppliers. For this data to be truly useful, it must be accompanied by a clear data framework and methodology, particularly for identifying and tracking social enterprises. Additionally, without meaningful mandates or repercussions for non-compliance, there is a risk that this transparency requirement could become purely a burden on contracting authorities, rather than a tool for positive change. Beyond competition: prioritising quality in people-focused services We agree that there should be flexibility to award contracts for "people-focused services" without competition – as we see the potential of collaborative commissioning through the pioneering work of local government in places such as Greater Manchester, working with social enterprises and coops to overcome profiteering and declining quality of provision in children’s residential services. Current procurement frameworks often fail to deliver cost-effective, high-quality service provision, marginalising VCSEs that are best placed to deliver on these needs. However, simply allowing for this flexibility is not enough to change culture and practice. Clear guidance for commissioners, helping them to adapt to less rigid approaches and to effectively identify and retain the best service providers is needed. How this permissive framework will be used and external regulation to prevent an ongoing cycle of poor-quality provision must be embedded. Flexibility should extend beyond social care to other critical areas such as education and training, health care, and employment support. Strengthening social value: mandating and broadening scope The Social Value Act needs refreshing to mandate social value weighting and delivery, and to expand it to include works and goods, not just services. The consultation’s focus is on a minimum 10% weighting and specific measurement metrics for social value criteria. From our freedom of information work last year, we know that many local authorities don’t consistently achieve this at present. But it is a narrow interpretation of social value's full potential. A holistic measurement approach is needed, one that recognises the deep and embedded social value that social enterprises deliver as part of their core mission. For example, a social enterprise that employs individuals who are furthest from the job market may be incorrectly scored lower than a large for-profit company offering a short-term apprenticeship scheme, if the framework is not carefully designed. Mandatory social value audits for public bodies and large businesses every three years, along with the appointment of an accountable officer for social value in every public body could help. National and local government spend billions each year buying goods and services – and their choices of provider affect whether or not our waterways have raw sewage in them, whether we live in safe housing, our children’s education, support for those of us with disabilities, and care for our most vulnerable friends and family members. Who delivers these services matters. Government can’t do it all. But government can facilitate collaborative, productive ways to ensure that those who do provide public services do so well. And that we get beyond binary arguments about insourcing vs outsourcing to consider new models and approaches that deliver the best possible public services. We welcomed Georgia Gould’s progressive approach and proactive engagement to hear from us and others on what’s needed - and look forward to working with her newly-appointed successor. A consultation is a welcome step. But it needs to sit within the context of a vision for public service delivery that understands and embeds VCSE suppliers as a vital value add. A vision that facilitates all involved to collaborate towards better outcomes for all of us in our daily lives. You can read our full response to the consultation here.

Launching this September, award-winning social enterprise and maker studio Cockpit presents The Cockpit Edit, a new ecommerce platform with a curated selection of work from leading artist-makers based across Cockpit’s studios in Bloomsbury and Deptford. Design-led work will feature for the first eight weeks, with 35 makers in the spotlight. Collectors and craft lovers alike will have the opportunity to discover and purchase more than 80 unique pieces directly from the charity’s online shop, with insights into the individual makers and their practice. Works will be available to purchase from 15 September, aligning with London’s annual celebration of international design, London Design Festival. Each item in The Cockpit Edit design edition has been hand-picked and represents the very best of Cockpit. Featured craft disciplines include ceramics, glass, fine jewellery, leather, textiles and weaving, woodturning, printmaking, and contemporary sculpture. Prices start from £45. Cockpit CEO Jonathan Burton says: ‘We’re delighted to launch this new initiative and share some of the exceptional work that Cockpit’s makers create each month. It creates an opportunity for the wider public to access new work directly and for Cockpit to extend our support for our maker community, creating a new sales channel.’ This is the first in Cockpit’s planned series of ecommerce drops, with a holiday gifting edit to follow in mid-November 2025, featuring hand-selected gifts available ahead of the festive season. shop.cockpitstudios.org (from 15 September) About Cockpit Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft and one of the top 100 UK social enterprises on the NatWest Pioneers Post SE100 Index for over a decade. For nearly 40 years, Cockpit has nurtured and supported craftspeople at the fragile, early stages of their careers, equipping talented makers with the tools they need to succeed creatively and commercially. The UK’s only incubator for craft businesses, Cockpit is home to a community of over 175 independent creative businesses – metalsmiths, jewellers, weavers, woodturners and ceramicists – at two London locations. Thanks to funded studio space and in-house business support and coaching, Cockpit makers thrive, with many going on to become international leaders in their fields. Bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, Cockpit’s education and careers programmes open pathways into creative employment for young Londoners from all backgrounds. Cockpit received the Prove It: Social Impact Award at the 2023 UK Social Enterprise Awards and an honourable mention for the Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year Award at the 2024 UK Social Enterprise Awards. cockpitstudios.org

What if your soap could do more for people and planet? Growing social enterprise Amplify Goods has launched SUDZERØ™ for Net Zero and with over 84% less carbon than standard hand wash products, it’s a game changer for consumers, education, public venues and businesses alike.  SUDZERØ is an innovative powder-to-foam hand wash that is redefining handwashing and how we care for people and planet. Designed as a circular solution for Net Zero, it reduces carbon, cost and waste compared to traditional liquid soap, all while creating real living wage work experience for people facing barriers to work, including homeless and disabled people. Camilla Marcus-Dew, co-founder of Amplify Goods said: “I’ve been working for a decade in the soap industry, and this is by far my proudest moment. This innovative launch takes us closer than we’ve ever been to a truly Net Zero handwash and paves the way for real social impact at scale through the creation of even more living wage work, and the dignity and pride that comes with it.” SUDZERØ for Net Zerø Backed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), SUDZERØ is estimated to deliver over 84% carbon savings compared to traditional liquid soaps. It cuts emissions across the entire lifecycle, from raw materials and manufacturing to transport and end-of-life. No shipping water. No single-use plastic. Just clean hands and a cleaner planet. SUDZERØ for Søciety Finishing, labelling and packing every pack of SUDZERØ creates about five minutes of vital work for someone facing barriers to employment. Since moving to the Crisis Warehouse in Canning Town, East London, in 2024, Amplify Goods has supported homeless and disabled people, refugees and prison leavers to earn money, build confidence and plug that CV gap. Mariusz was the first to join Amplify Goods in September 2024, and the SUDZERØ launch falls on the anniversary of him getting back into work. During this time, he’s got off the streets and is now looking for full time warehouse work. As SUDZERØ grows, organisations of all sizes can help to create opportunities for many more people who want to work. To date, Amplify Goods have already supported 18 individuals with over 740 hours of paid work experience, delivering over £820,000 in social value and offering stepping-stone opportunities that help people into long-term work. SUDZERØ for Cøst Saving SUDZERØ reduces costs to the planet and to supply chains. SUDZERØ weighs 98% less and takes up 97% less storage space than ready-to-use soap meaning reduced costs in warehousing, transportation and storage. Foaming hand wash is known to save water, estimating around 300ml less water in every wash, and with this SUDZERØ reduces cost-in-use too. Plus, the compostable sachets and refill-first approach reduce costs in end-of-life and waste management, when compared to bulky empty soap bottles. This is an innovative solution for sectors like travel, public venues and education, where cost, weight and storage limitations are a real challenge. SUDZERØ the All-Røunder SUDZERØ embodies Amplify Goods refill-first model, helping organisations shift away from single-use plastics and take steps towards a circular economy. On top of massive carbon savings and unique work creation opportunity, SUDZERØ is UK made with 94% naturally derived ingredients and scented with essential oils, plus offers: Home compostable sachets that are 100% plastic and micro-plastic free Each pack of large SUDZERØ sachets avoids the equivalent of over 66 single-use plastic bottles Uses over 65g of repurposed materials including boxes uniquely cut from repurposed cardboard. SUDZERØ is a high-performance, low-impact product helping organisations meet their Net Zero goals without compromising on quality or cost. This is a soap that challenges the ‘all foam and no action’ status quo. Kirsty Wivell, SUDZERØ Launch Manager said: “We’re proud to bring SUDZERØ to market to drive circularity, Net Zero and social value and to prove that innovation can go hand in hand with creating valuable jobs for people in our communities, and saving money too.” Turning Ambition into Action SUDZERØ has been a vision since Amplify Goods was founded in 2021, driven by a mission to create the most circular soap on the market and help organisations reach Net Zero while generating real social value. SUDZERØ has been trialling with key supply chain partners since May this year in readiness for the launch. Schools and universities alone use an estimated 20 million litres of soap annually. If just this sector switched from liquid soap to SUDZERØ, it could save over 44,000 tonnes CO2e - which is the equivalent of 22,000 long haul flights from London to New York, or the carbon that 2 million mature trees can absorb each year. It could also save up to 582,000kg of plastic and generate over 81,000 hours of paid work for people facing barriers to employment in the UK. Camilla Marcus-Dew added: “Now imagine small businesses, offices and football stadiums joining the movement too. Could something as simple as hand wash help build a better society? Amplify Goods is proving it can. “This is more than hand wash. By choosing SUDZERØ, customers support a growing social enterprise, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a model of business that puts people and planet first”. Business for Good Amplify Goods is a certified social enterprise redefining what everyday products can do. With a track record creating net-positive suds and scents designed to eliminate single-use plastics, support a circular economy and create stepping-stone opportunities for people often excluded from work. Working with major distribution networks across the UK and Ireland, Amplify Goods products help organisations big and small turn ambition into action within their supply chains. “At Amplify Goods we design for impact - reducing waste and single-use plastic, avoiding unnecessary and harsh ingredients, encouraging reuse and refill, and creating real social impact,” said Pasha Michaelsen, Co-Founder Amplify Goods have an honest, action-oriented approach to impact with a dual mission to soften their footprint on the planet and strengthen their handprint in communities. From working with diverse, local, SME suppliers, having verified carbon- and plastic-neutral operations, to reinvesting over 50% of profits into initiatives at the intersection of climate and wellbeing. Amplify Goods show what a net-positive business can look like. Amplify Goods’ vision is that all suds and scents circulating in the UK are designed for impact and packed with purpose—so that no brand is ‘all foam and no action’. Be First to Make the Switch Whether you're a school, business, venue or organisation on a Net Zero journey, SUDZERØ helps you cut carbon, costs and plastic, while creating real social impact in the UK. Pre-order SUDZERØ today and be part of the movement transforming hand wash into a force for good. Join the refill revolution. Pre-order now at amplifygoods.org/sudzeroOr contact us directly at interest@amplifygoods.org

We're delighted to announce the shortlist for the UK Social Enterprise Awards! The Awards are a celebration of everything that makes the social enterprise sector so special, and this year's shortlist really does show the strength, impact and diversity of the social enterprise movement up and down the country. The current shortlist will be joined by some of the winners from the Northern Irish Social Enterprise Awards, the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland, and the Social Business Wales Awards. Here's who's made the shortlist this year: UK Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by Keegan & Pennykid The overall award for a social enterprise that has a clear vision, excellence in impact, and that has demonstrated and promoted social enterprise beyond the sector. Centre for Information Resilience CIC Change Please London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) Platfform Tarem Services Limited Useful Simple Trust One to Watch Award Sponsored by PwC The One to Watch Award is for a start-up social enterprise. Key to winning this award is an ability to clearly articulate their future vision and how they are going to achieve it. BALDILOCKS Circular Design Forests With Impact Little Green Change Remade Worcestershire CIO Prove It: Social Impact Award Sponsored by Linklaters For a social enterprise that can truly demonstrate and communicate their impact with their stakeholders. ChangeKitchen CIC Change Please Community Shop The Skill Mill Turning Point Waste to Wonder Worldwide ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award Sponsored by Corps Security For a social enterprise, public sector body or private sector organisation that has demonstrably made efforts within its own organisation and remit to create more opportunities to buy from social enterprises. BDO LLP CBRE Global Workplace Solutions Ernst & Young LLP Foodbuy National Highways Siemens Plc Social Investment Deal of the Year Sponsored by Good Finance For an organisation that has been part of a great investment deal in the last 12 months that has helped the social enterprise to grow or the movement as a whole to develop and flourish. Big Issue Invest - Great Oaks College Charities Aid Foundation - Oaks Rise CIC  Firstport - Farmer Jones Academy CIC Livv Investment - Make CIC Resonance - Community Ventures Ltd Middlesborough   Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) - Social adVentures Wales Council for Voluntary Action - The Community Impact Initiative CIC and Tai Heulwen CIC Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by GLL For a social enterprise for whom the majority of their income comes from the public sector and which delivers public services (for central or local government, NHS, criminal justice or other statutory body). Cumbria Health East Coast Community Healthcare FCMS (NW) Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Platfform The National House Project (NHP) Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year Available to sponsor For a social enterprise that delivers a retail product or service to the general public. Community Shop Oakhaven Care Tea People Ltd The Dusty Knuckle Bakery Y.O.U Underwear Zaytoun Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year Available to sponsor For a social enterprise in the education, training or employment sectors that can demonstrate excellence in vision and strategic direction, and clearly evidence their social, environmental and community impact. Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company ICENA LTD Social Enterprise Kent CIC The Community Impact Initiative CIC Well Grounded Jobs CIC WYK Digital Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by Landmarc For a social enterprise in the green and environmental sector with a clear evidenced environmental impact. ChangeKitchen CIC Seagulls Re-Use Ltd The Skill Mill Useful Simple Trust Waste to Wonder Worldwide Y.O.U Underwear Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award Available to sponsor Social justice is fundamental to the social enterprise movement. This category is open to all social enterprises who are addressing issues around diversity, inclusion and equity. Growing Well Hatch Enterprise Nemi Teas QueerAF CIC Signalise Co-op Wonder Women CIC Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year Available to sponsor For a woman working in the senior leadership team of a social enterprise who represents excellence in her field of work. Felicia Mattis-Rome - Business Launchpad/Tooting Works Dawn Hewitt - CHUMS CIC Anna Lane - Women in Banking and Finance Camilla Rigby and Rachel Mostyn - Women's Work Lab Ria Hebden - Wonder Women CIC Hannah Oyewole - Young Ladies Club International Impact Award Available to sponsor For a social enterprise working internationally, and which are having a big impact in their field. This award is open to UK-based organisations only with existing international operations. Change Please Stand4 Socks Tea People Ltd The Centre for Information Resilience CIC UK Starfish Project WildHearts Office Ltd Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation This award is for a social enterprise that trades for the benefit of their community, making a real local impact. Bath Spa University Social adVentures Social Enterprise Kent CIC Spark York CIC Tap Social Movement Therapeutic Activities Group CIC Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year Sponsored by Fusion21 A new award is recognising a social enterprise that has brought something truly innovative to market in the past year. Amplify Goods CHUMS CIC City Health Care Partnership CIC GLL Tarem Services Limited WYK Digital Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by Mitie For a social enterprise that uses technology to achieve social impact. Beam Up Ltd Digital Boost Nimbus Disability Pocket Power Signalise Co-op Talent People We are pleased to be working with Cwmpas, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland and Social Enterprise Scotland to deliver the Awards. Awards Sponsors If you're interested in sponsoring the Awards read through our sponsor pack or contact christopher.morgan@socialenterprise.org.uk.

North Northamptonshire has been officially named a Social Enterprise Place by Social Enterprise UK - marking it as a national hub for businesses tackling social and environmental issues through enterprise. This status – awarded to just 35 places across the UK - brings national recognition to the area’s thriving network of social enterprises – organisations that reinvest profits to benefit local people and the planet. Social enterprises are businesses that reinvest their profits to tackle social or environmental issues. In North Northamptonshire, they include community cafés, ethical retailers, arts organisations, employment services and transport schemes – all delivering local impact while supporting the economy. Alison Holland, Chair of North Northamptonshire Social Enterprise Network (NNSE) and founder of social enterprise Brightwayz, co-ordinated the bid to become a Social Enterprise Place. “This is a major step forward for North Northamptonshire,” said Alison. “Being recognised as a Social Enterprise Place gives our local businesses a stronger voice and a platform to grow their impact. “Social enterprises are amazing at addressing social and environmental issues in nimble, creative, ethical, effective ways. We know there is strength in numbers and that by being better connected to other Social Enterprise Places we will be able to learn a lot - and share a lot too. This award is not just about local social enterprises but also about those partners around us such as North Northamptonshire Council who collaborate with and support us”. Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “Congratulations to North Northants on being named a Social Enterprise Place. Social enterprises make a huge contribution to the county - from providing community energy and affordable housing to running leisure centres, creative projects, workspaces, credit unions and social care. “Of course, this isn’t possible without the strong resilient network of purpose-led businesses in the area, and North Northants’ social enterprises are already playing an incredibly important role in supporting communities, providing critical services to the public, improving the environment, and helping to grow the local economy. “We hope that getting Social Enterprise Place status will help act as a lightning rod to galvanise the social enterprise community, supercharge the sector's growth and deliver the economic transformation needed for the communities of North Northants so that they can realise their full potential.” Cllr Jan O’Hara, Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth at North Northamptonshire Council, highlighted the importance of social enterprises in the local economy: “It’s great to see how our local social enterprises are coming together and thriving. Congratulations for achieving this status and we are proud to be supporting this. The newly published North Northants Economic Strategy recognises the importance of local social enterprises for the future growth of the county alongside all the community benefits and added social value these businesses bring.” The NNSE network connects, supports and promotes social enterprises in the county. The group currently has more than 40 social enterprises and welcomes new members from across the area. Its aim is to ensure these organisations have the financial, practical and collaborative support they need to grow and deliver real social and environmental benefit. NNSE is also one of six Aspire NN partner organisations. Aspire NN, funded by North Northamptonshire for three years, supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across North Northamptonshire. Membership of the NNSE network is free to local social enterprises. See www.nnse.org.uk for more information.

A new zero-rate funding product has entered the UK social investment market. The product, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was developed by Kamran Rashid, CEO of Impact Hub Yorkshire, following consultation with organisations and social enterprises most affected by financial exclusion.  The Local Access Bradford District (LABD) programme, which is chaired by Kamran Rashid, will use the new interest-free loan to support social impact makers within the district to access investment to help them scale up and grow. Its purpose is to create investment models that better reflect the realities and needs of communities.   The product is not only the UK’s first zero-rate social investment tool, but also fully Shariah-compliant and open to all. Designed with ethical finance principles at its core, it offers a more inclusive approach to investment that removes interest-based barriers and supports values-led enterprises, regardless of sector, background, or faith.   Commenting on the new loan product, Kamran Rashid, CEO of Impact Hub Yorkshire, said: “Through this new type of investment loan we are prepared to lend organisations up to £250,000 to help them unlock potential to deliver social impact. This may take the form of taking on an asset, renovating an asset, or bringing in a team to help take on new work. Its purpose is to remove the financial barriers to enable businesses to generate an income through doing good.  “The product functions as a zero-interest, unsecured loan tailored to the social economy and is compliant with Islamic finance principles but it is open to all.”  The product is currently open to eligible organisations operating in the social economy, including CICs, charities and mission-led businesses. Social investment of between £25,000 and £250,000 are available, with flexible repayment terms supported by Key Fund and LABD. The model has been developed to comply with Islamic finance principles — ensuring no interest is charged — but it is designed to serve all communities, regardless of faith or background.  The first application of the product is supporting Brilliant Healthy Smiles (BHS), a new social enterprise dental care initiative in Bradford led by Dr. Fraz Ali. The practice aims to provide accessible, affordable treatment by mirroring NHS pricing structures while maintaining long-term sustainability.  Dr. Fraz Ali, founder of new Brilliant Healthy Smiles clinic, said: “Navigating social investment initially felt like a minefield, but working with LABD partners like Impact Hub Yorkshire made the process streamlined, transparent, and supportive, even with dentistry being a niche market.”  “This new lending product will help Brilliant Healthy Smiles give the people in our city access to the care they deserve.”  Andy Croft, investment manager at Key Fund, concluded: “There is every confidence across the stakeholders involved within this journey that Brilliant Healthy Smiles will be successful. We’re committed in helping Dr Fraz address the identified big gap in the market, particularly to help BAME communities who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access a dentist.”