Thought Leadership

Social enterprise The Fair Tax Foundation has launched a community share offer on social investment platform Ethex looking to raise £450,000 to expand its operations and bring five times as many businesses into its progressive movement. Across the globe, 35% of multinational profits (£1trn) are artificially shifted to tax havens each year, robbing the public purse of funding for vital public services such as transport and healthcare. The UK suffers from a corporate tax shortfall of £12.5bn each year because of this multinational profit-shifting. Some 10 years ago the Fair Tax Foundation saw there was another way to do business. Since then, it has enjoyed a decade of steady income growth and seven consecutive years of surplus. With the Fair Tax Mark, the gold standard responsible tax accreditation, the Fair Tax Foundation is central to a movement of progressive businesses that are proud to pay their taxes and celebrate the enormous contribution this makes to public services. Some 250 distinct trading businesses are Fair Tax Mark accredited, including FTSE-listed companies such as SSE and Marshalls, and household names such as Lush, the Coop and Timpson. Collectively, Fair Tax businesses employ over 275,000 people and contribute more than £1.7bn in corporation tax annually. Co-operatives and social enterprises were early pioneers of the Fair Tax Mark, with Midcounties, Scotmid, Energy4All, Suma and the Co-op being amongst the first businesses to become certified. These have since followed by other well-known co-operatives and social enterprises such as Arup, Jerba Campervans and Lendology In order to increase its impact on creating a fairer society, the Fair Tax Foundation will use the new investment to: - Create a new sales and business development team, broaden its product offering, expand its back-office and recruit and train new technical staff - Increase its income from c.£500,000 to c.£2mn per year - Quintuple its corporate engagement in the UK and overseas, leading to hundreds more Fair Tax Mark accredited companies Fair Tax Foundation Chief Executive Paul Monaghan said: “This share offer is a rare opportunity to buy community shares in, and become a member of, the Fair Tax Foundation – with subscribers becoming shareholders in the Society alongside existing members. We believe the more businesses that stand up for responsible tax conduct, the more likely legislators are to create better laws, and the more likely regulators are to implement those laws robustly. Since our inception a decade ago, much has been achieved in reversing the global race to the bottom on corporation tax. But there is still so much more that needs to be achieved, both in the UK and across the globe. By supporting us to scale up our business, investors will help expand our influence, bolster public coffers and help steer the economy in a more enlightened direction at this critical moment in history.” Ethex CEO Lisa Ashford said: “We are very excited to offer our community of investors the opportunity to support this share offer. We see it as a great chance to use your money to help create a more just and equitable world where corporations pay their fair share of tax and everyone in society can reap the benefits." The offer opens on 2nd September for a period of three months - targeting an initial annual return of 6%, and UK base rate plus 1% thereafter. There is a minimum investment threshold of £200, and a maximum of £60,000 for individuals and £100,000 for organisations. As with all investments of this nature, capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. Investors can participate in the offer via the Ethex investing platform at https://www.ethex.org.uk/invest/fairtax Notes to editors: Fair Tax Foundation was established as a not-for-profit social enterprise in 2014, and is registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority as a Community Benefit Society. It’s rules incorporate a statutory “asset lock” to ensure that any retained surpluses are used solely for the promotion of good corporate tax conduct. Ethex aims to help everyday people make ethical investments that fund extraordinary organisations.” It is a not-for-profit with a mission to ‘make money do good’, and has spent the past ten years creating a vibrant marketplace for positive investment. Community shares are withdrawable shares that cannot be sold, traded or transferred between members, unlike shares in a typical company. Members are entitled to one vote, regardless of how many shares they hold. Members can be paid interest on their shares, and can withdraw their shareholding (along with any interest accrued) by selling shares back to the Society, subject to the board’s approval. Any money invested is fully at risk and is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

In this blog Charlie Walker, Managing Director at Cleand for Good, looks into the Government's plan to scrap 'waiting days' and the need to transform sick pay. The Government have announced their new employment rights bill, something they promised within their manifesto. Within the raft of measures, ‘waiting days’ associated with Statutory Sick Pay will be removed. No idea what I am talking about? Nor did I, before joining Clean for Good. It probably means, like me, you have never had to worry about sick pay in your job. Grab a cuppa and let’s dive into the detail on all things Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). It’s more interesting than you might think! SSP is the minimum pay that employers have to pay staff when they fall ill. Currently it is £116.75 per week, or £23.35 per day, (so just over £3 per hour). You are only entitled to SSP if you earn a certain amount per week, more than £123 AND if you have been ill for more than 3 consecutive days. So, for the first 3 days you are off ill you get paid nothing. And it’s these 3 days that are known as ‘waiting days’. Still with me? Many (perhaps all?) of us will never have come into contact with ‘waiting days’. We have worked for good employers who have decided to run their own ‘Occupational Sick Pay’ scheme. These schemes go above and beyond SSP, often considerably so, and will pay staff (rightly) for every day they are off sick and most of the time at full pay. This is a wonderful benefit. In over 20 years of working, I have never had to worry about being off sick. So, what’s the issue? Well, picture a multi-storey building in the heart of London, every floor filled with different companies, lawyers, charity workers, insurers, bankers, engineers and more. One of the lawyers catches a bug and his lovely HR team tell him to go home, rest up and only come back when he is fully recovered. The lawyer agrees and after 2 days of bed, Netflix, and chicken soup he comes back to work, rested and recovered. Unfortunately, though, the bug has spread, and it takes down other members of the office and also Carol, the cleaner, who came to clean the building that evening. Carol is on SSP and is confronted with the reality of these ‘waiting days’. Does she stay at home and get paid nothing for 2 days or turn up to work ill. Terrible choice made worse by the fact that Carol earns less than the real living wage. Two days off genuinely puts at risk her ability to pay her mortgage, her bills and more. It’s not really a choice, she goes to work. As we take this further and begin to imagine Carol having to go to hospital and being forced off for a week earning just £46.70, what then? Lots of us, I suspect, would begin to struggle with our bills and payments that month. And maybe you could scramble through for a month, but after 10 years of the same thing? It’s like a repetitive kick to the face and it’s the horrible reality for Carol and thousands of cleaners, security guards, and others in low paid professions across the UK So, we will of course welcome the scrapping ‘waiting days’, whilst at the same time not pretending that getting by on £23.35 SSP per day, is anywhere near adequate. At Clean for Good we are one of the very few cleaning companies (and to date I have not come across any in London including some of the real biggies in the market) who run our own occupational sick pay scheme. From day 1 if cleaners are off sick, at Clean for Good, they are paid in full. One of the joys in the last couple of years was taking on a team of new cleaners from another cleaning company (this happens at the point that you take over a cleaning contract) and seeing one of our new cleaners, eyes bulging as we explained to her that CFG has its own sick pay scheme. She stopped me mid-sentence and exclaimed…What, you will pay me if I am sick? To which I replied Yes, we will! She had been a cleaner in London for over 15 years surviving on SSP. If you’re not sure what your employer pays you when you go off ill, you will find the policy lurking somewhere in the depths of your staff handbook. Do go and check it out, and if you are part of an organisation that has its own sick pay scheme go and encourage your HR team and tell them they are all wonderful today! Find out more? The centre for progressive change is running a national campaign on sick pay. If you want to find out more on the whole area of sick pay. Check the campaign out here.

Tarem Services is proud to announce the successful launch of its Mobile Foodbank initiative, which took place on Tuesday, 1st October 2024, at Selhurst Children’s Centre, Croydon. This initiative is a significant part of Tarem Services’ broader mission to tackle in-work poverty and food insecurity by providing essential supplies to vulnerable families and individuals experiencing financial hardship. Despite heavy rain, 103 of the 150 essential food bags were collected on the day, and the remaining bags have since been collected by those unable to attend. Each bag contains enough food to feed at least 2 people, meaning 300 individuals will ultimately benefit from this initiative. The event was supported by 12 volunteers from Zurich UK, CBRE and Tarem Services, who worked tirelessly to prepare the food bags and engage with the families in attendance. The launch event was highlighted by the attendance of Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lynne Hale, who showed her support for Tarem Services' continued efforts to address food insecurity and poverty within the local community. “We are deeply grateful to CBRE and Zurich UK for their financial support and volunteering efforts, as well as to our own team at Tarem Services for making this initiative possible,” said Titus Komolafe, Managing Director of Tarem Services. “Our mission goes beyond just providing food; it’s about tackling in-work poverty, addressing food insecurity, and empowering families to build more secure futures.” The Mobile Foodbank initiative is one of the many ways Tarem Services drives social change. As a social enterprise, Tarem Services is dedicated to reducing the pressures faced by low-wage workers and their families. Through partnerships, volunteer support, and sustainable initiatives, Tarem Services is committed to providing immediate relief while advocating for long-term solutions. Next Stop: Stay Tuned The Mobile Foodbank will continue its journey to reach other communities in need, with the next distribution event already in the planning stages. As Tarem Services expands its reach, more families and individuals will receive the support they need during these challenging times. Stay tuned for details on the next stop as we continue to offer hope and practical aid to those most in need. For more information on the Mobile Foodbank and how you can get involved, visit: www.taremservices.com/foodbank. About Tarem Services Tarem Services Limited is a social enterprise focused on tackling in-work poverty and food insecurity, especially among cleaners in the UK. Founded in 1999 with the support of a Prince’s Trust grant, Tarem Services has built a reputation for responsible business practices. The company provides office and school cleaning, construction labour supply, pest control, and waste management services, all while remaining committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Media Contact:Email: community@taremservices.com Image Caption:Volunteers from Tarem Services, Zurich UK, and CBRE with Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lynne Hale, during the Mobile Foodbank launch at Selhurst Children’s Centre, Croydon.

The Sewing Rooms, an award-winning social enterprise based in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, is addressing the critical shortage of skilled sewing technicians in the region. Securing funding from the UK Government, The Sewing Rooms is providing free skills training, leading to a recognised industry qualification. This initiative aims to empower local individuals with the expertise needed to pursue rewarding careers in the sewing and manufacturing industry. Paula Gamester MBE, Chief Executive of The Sewing Rooms, highlighted the pressing need for skilled sewing machinists: "Recognising the shortage in our community, we collaborated with Redwood TTM, a prominent local manufacturing company facing challenges in recruiting skilled sewing machinists. When we were approached, we were delighted to accept the initial challenge and to explore the further potential for other local businesses and the wider community.” The program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum to meet the specific demands of local manufacturing businesses. The training includes tutor-led sessions, self-directed online modules, and practice sessions tailored to Redwood's and industry quality standards and is available free to West Lancashire residents. Find out more about the amazing impact of the programme in this clip from BBC North West: https://vimeo.com/933004357/42dc5cd656?share=copy Rachel Idle – Group HR Manager for Redwood Group of Companies, explains the driver behind the initiative: “Redwood TTM relies on its skilled Industrial Sewing Machinists and post Brexit, it had become increasingly difficult to recruit in that area. I was aware of the great work that UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) do in looking to raise the profile of careers with the textiles industry and I reached out to Celia Thornley, their Skills and Training Manager. When Celia informed me of her collaboration with The Sewing Rooms to produce a formal industrial sewing qualification, it became apparent that we had a really exciting opportunity on our hands.”  Celia Thornley, Senior Skills, and Training Manager at UKFT, said: “This is great news for sewn product manufacturing businesses across the West Lancashire region. These businesses need serious backing when it comes to recruitment, tackling skills shortages and building a talent pipeline for future growth. This project will provide this much needed support, and it is inspiring and encouraging to see acknowledgement of these issues at the highest level within the local authority”. The program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum to meet the specific demands of local manufacturing businesses. The training includes tutor-led sessions, self-directed online modules, and practice sessions tailored to Redwood's and industry quality standards and is available free to West Lancashire residents. The UKFT “Licence to Sew” training course features contributions from industry insiders such as BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant. "We are thrilled to contribute to the growth of our local industry by training individuals who will become valuable assets to businesses like Redwood TTM. The 'Licence to Sew' qualification is a testament to our commitment to address workforce challenges and enhance the skill set of our community," Paula Gamester added. “We have over a dozen License to Sew graduates so far, some have gone on to work with Redwood TTM whereas others have found work elsewhere in the Sewing industry.” The Sewing Rooms invites interested individuals based in West Lancashire to take advantage of this unique opportunity for personal and professional development. For more information on how to enrol in the program, please contact paula@the-sewing-rooms.co.uk

Sponsored by Keegan & Pennykid. This award recognises the leading social enterprise in the country. It is presented to a business that has a clear vision, excellence in impact, and that has demonstrated and promoted social enterprise beyond the sector. Find out who has made the shortlist below: Bath Spa University Bath Spa University is a dynamic and creative institution located in a World Heritage City. With a strong focus on professional creativity, the University offers a diverse range of courses to 14,000 students. As one of Bath's largest employers, it drives regeneration, business innovation, and community engagement. The University incubates creative microbusinesses, collaborates with the third sector and actively grows the social economy in the South West. @bathspauni Change Please CIC Change Please is an innovative social enterprise revolutionising the approach to tackling homelessness through its holistic programs. By training individuals experiencing homelessness as baristas and providing them with essential support services, Change Please creates pathways to stable employment and housing. Its "Driving for Change" initiative repurposes buses to deliver comprehensive health, social and employment services across London. Partnering with organisations like Colgate and HSBC, Change Please supports thousands annually and champions social change through impactful scalable solutions. @changeplease Community Impact Initiative The Community Impact Initiative (Cii) is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation that strives toachieve positive socio-economic change in disadvantaged communities through its innovative propertyregeneration cycle. It purchases long-term empty homes in communities affected by the housing crisis, where residents face high levels of poverty, unemployment, and social isolation. With each housing renovation, community members are supported to learn new skills, improve their wellbeing, achieve qualifications, and find a path to employment, or a future to look forward to. Once completed, properties are either sold, with all profits reinvested into the social enterprises's community activities, or used in partnership with local authorities to house vulnerable people. @theciiuk Community Shop Community Shop, the UK’s first social supermarket, delivers measurable social and environmental impact by offering deeply discounted food and life-changing development initiatives. By providing high-quality fresh and affordable food, and equipping members with the skills they need for the future, this unique social enterprise helps build stronger individuals and more confident communities. Its sustainable partnerships with businesses ensure that surplus stock is effectively redistributed, tackling food waste and creating a lasting positive impact for communities. @communityshops Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT) celebrates 22 years of community ownership of the island of Gigha, which was purchased by the community in March 2002. It has not always been easy, managing a considerable asset with a population of about 110 people but by working collectively and bringing in expertise and support from a range of stakeholders they continue to shine as an example of community wealth building. IGHT demonstrates collective leadership and sustainable development throughout and across their broad range of activities. Their business model and inter-company accounts, including Gigha Trading, Gigha Renewable Energy Limited, Gigha Green Power Ltd and Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, as parent company, operate to support the community now and for the long term future. London Early Years Foundation The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) is now one of the UK’s largest children’s charitable social enterprises, operating 40 nurseries for over 4,100 children, with a specific focus on supporting disadvantaged children in the most deprived areas. Under the leadership of June O’Sullivan OBE, LEYF nurseries provide high-quality education and care to children because of its unique pedagogy for social justice, which ensures all children will exceed, whilst also going above and beyond to support families and communities. @leyfonline Turning Point Turning Point is one of the UK’s leading health and social care providers. From detox treatment to supported living, its services help people tackle substance use and mental health issues, and those with learning disabilities lead independent lives. @turningpoint_uk Waste to Wonder Worldwide Waste to Wonder Worldwide is challenging people’s perception of waste. It does this by clearing unwanted furniture and equipment from its customers’ workplaces and redistributing it to schools and hospitals in the UK and abroad. This innovative programme, called School in a Box, has helped over 1,400 schools in 40 countries and provided vital supplies to people following natural and humanitarian disasters. It’s also driving generational change in disadvantaged communities by helping to address keyenvironmental and social challenges. @_wastetowonder_ The Workspace Group Workspace is a ‘profit for purpose’ social enterprise founded in 1985 in Draperstown, a small village in Mid Ulster, by 170 members from the local community. The organisation emerged as a direct response to local decline, deprivation, and rising unemployment. The initial business model aimed to generate rental income from business units, which was then used to fund the provision of free business advice to support local entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs in the area. Workspace has grown significantly since 1985, and in addition to providing incubator units, it has diversified its operations to include several commercial businesses. These generate surpluses, which are gifted back to the parent company, Workspace Draperstown Ltd, to enable it to carry out its social mission. @TheWorkspaceGro

Sponsored by Bunzl. 58% of social enterprises have leadership teams that are at least half female. This award recognises a woman working in the senior leadership team of a social enterprise who represents excellence in her field of work. Find out who has made the shortlist below: Elysha Paige - Bloody Good Employers Elysha is Director of Bloody Good Employers who are revolutionising the way that people think about menstrual and gender equity at work. As a mentor and volunteer she has supported numerous women and marginalised people with their careers and access to resources to support survivors of gender-based violence. She lives with Adenomyosis - a menstrual health condition that causes severe pain and heavy bleeding which further fuels her ambition to create a more inclusive society for women and people who menstruate. @bloodygoodperiod Viviene Bish-Bedeau – Construction and Engineering Opportunities (CEO)      Viviene Bish-Bedeau, Founder and Director of Construction and Engineering Opportunities (CEO), is a trailblazer in empowering disadvantaged youth and promoting diversity in the construction and engineering sectors. With a commitment to breaking down barriers, she provides mentorship, training, and support to individuals from all backgrounds. Her leadership and innovative programs exemplify her dedication to social change and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. @ceo_cic Dee Murray - Menopause Experts Group   Dee Murray, CEO and Founder of Menopause Experts Group, is renowned for her groundbreaking work in menopause education and support. Her initiatives have empowered women globally, offering comprehensive training programs that reduce stigma and promote workplace equality. With a background in psychotherapy, Dee combines her expertise to advocate for mental and physical health during menopause. Her leadership and vision have made significant impacts, inspiring women and fostering diversity in over 20 countries. Nicola Pollock – MorphFit Gentle Movement Project Nicola has been central to the planning and delivery of MorphFit Gentle Movement's projects from launch at the height of the pandemic. Nicola supported the development of sessions which centre around light to moderate chair-based, and where appropriate, standing exercises and lifestyle interventions. With a passion for working with people, Nicola has worked tirelessly to create sessions and adapt movements to ensure that programmes are accessible for all in need. @morphfitgentlemovement Maggie Gordon-Walker – Mothers Uncovered (Livestock charity)  Maggie directs Mothers Uncovered, constantly generating ideas to reach out to mothers, and ways they can make money in these times of austerity. Social obstacles to a woman succeeding in the business and voluntary sector are well known – hence the importance of Maggie’s focus on the lived experience of mothers, especially their mental health. The context in which she is working is tough but Maggie remains undaunted, vibrant and vital. @mothers_uncovered Hayley Hulme - Starts With You Hayley is an exceptional leader renowned for her dedication, resilience, and innovation. She inspires andmotivates others, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive work environment that empowers individuals toreach their full potential. Her innovative strategies have significantly influenced organisations andindustries. Committed to social responsibility, Hayley actively engages in sustainability, diversity, andinclusion initiatives. Her mentorship has uplifted numerous women, making a lasting impact on theircareers. @startswithyoubolton Paula Jennings – Stepping Stones Paula joined Stepping Stones NI in 1998 when it was a small pilot project. She was determined from day one that people with learning disabilities should have the equal opportunity to gain skills, qualifications and employment. Paula’s vision was always very clear – people with disabilities and barriers to learning and employment can thrive if given the right support. Over the last 26 years, Paula has built a robust and successful organisation that now includes six social enterprises and four core services. Jasmine Cannon-Ikurusi, The Sapphire Wellbeing and Employability Academy     Sapphire is a dedicated social enterprise focused on empowering marginalised and ethnic minority communities. Jasmine, CEO of Sapphire aged 30, has transformed countless lives through her dedication to empowering marginalised communities. Despite overcoming racism, dyslexia, autism, and dyspraxia, her unwavering commitment has fostered inclusion, economic growth, and mental wellbeing, making her a true champion for women and social justice. @scommunitygroup Sarah Jordan - Y.O.U Underwear         Y.O.U Underwear is a multi-award-winning ethical business who make stylish, organic cotton underwear for men, women and girls. Sarah, a multi award-winning social entrepreneur, moved from the world of charity digital and tech to underwear in 2016. With previous experience including more than 25 years in senior leadership roles across the not-for-profit, commercial and publishing sectors, Sarah’s passion lies in empowering women and girls. A regular public speaker at universities and business start ups, Sarah is also Trustee of The Beam Foundation and is on a mission to inspire the next generation of social entrepreneurs. @youunderwearuk

Sponsored by Barclays Business Banking. This award recognises a social enterprise that has brought something truly innovative to market in the past year. Read on to find out more about the pioneering work of the various social enterprises from across the UK that have made the shortlist this year: Big Issue Group The Big Issue Group is a social enterprise and B-corp which looks to unlock entrepreneurial solutions for people living in poverty. It started as a magazine sold by vendors on the streets of the UK and now has many different ways of helping individuals and communities to earn, learn and thrive. @bigissueuk Change Please CIC Change Please is an innovative social enterprise revolutionising the approach to tackling homelessness through its holistic programs. By training individuals experiencing homelessness as baristas and providing them with essential support services, Change Please creates pathways to stable employment and housing. Its "Driving for Change" initiative repurposes buses to deliver comprehensive health, social and employment services across London. Partnering with organisations like Colgate and HSBC, Change Please supports thousands annually and champions social change through impactful scalable solutions. @changeplease Clear Voice Clear Voice is an award-winning language services provider, delivering a complete suite of interpreting and translation solutions. Its services are relied upon across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. As a social enterprise, Clear Voice returns 100% of profits to its parent charity Migrant Help, helping support refugees, asylum seekers, and the survivors of modern slavery. Clear Voice also runs an initiative called the InPower Project which fully-funds unemployed refugees through the education they require to become professional interpreters.  @ClearVoiceUK Even Even’s low-cost period underwear is the first of its kind in the humanitarian sector. For the same cost as two packs of disposable sanitary pads, Even’s pioneering period underwear, lasts for five years when washed and reworn. Its mission is to ensure women in the most vulnerable circumstances have free, long-lasting access to the products needed to take care of themselves safely and with dignity. Qualia Law CIC Qualia Law CIC, is the only non-profit in the UK providing Court of Protection Deputyship by qualified and regulated solicitors to help safeguard and protect the property and finances of people who lack capacity, or are unable to manage their own financial affairs.  This service takes the duty away from the local authority, the worry away from the individual, and the cost away from the taxpayer.  @qualialawcic RAW RAW was born to prove that people who have walked and survived life's toughest challenges have the power to transform those experiences into assets that any employer would love. Powered by its amazing Crew, 75% of whom have overcome issues such as addiction, mental and physical health issues, incarceration and societal exclusion, RAW has grown to provide furniture products and circular economy services to some of the UKs leading brand and institutions. @raw_workshop St Helena Hospice St Helena is a Colchester based charity which provides palliative and end of life care to local people facing incurable illness in north east Essex, supporting them, their families, friends and carers. It provides individual care and total support wherever it is needed; at home, over the phone via a 24/7 advice line, and at the hospice. St Helena also provides bereavement support to adults and children, regardless of where or how their loved one died. @sthelenahospice

Sponsored by Nestlé. 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. Read on to find out more about our pioneering shortlist who are embedding these principles across their work: Built By Us Built By Us is an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to positively impacting the construction sector by increasing inclusion and diversity in the built environment. Its work breaks down barriers to opportunities for industry students, practitioners, and founders who are underrepresented in the sector. Built By Us creates links between individuals and organisations to proactively address inclusion throughlearning, strategic support, talent search, and mentoring. Its goal is to create a world built for all, by all. @builtbyusUK City Health Care Partnership CIC Providing the highest quality health and care services, City Health Care Partnership CIC’s vision is to lead and inspire through excellence, compassion and expertise in all that it does. CHCP helps to keep people healthy, happy and out of hospital in Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Merseyside. It generates social value through reinvestment in colleagues, communities and services, with a social return on investment of £55 for every £1 spent. @chcphull Community Renewal Trust Rom Romeha Rom Romeha means “For Roma, By Roma”. This team employs 12 Roma staff speaking 15 languages and has supported at least 75% of all the Roma migrant families in Glasgow over the last five years. It started from tiny beginnings almost exactly ten years ago, with a test of an “Open Door” drop-in session for local migrants in Govanhill. Over time this has grown and grown, becoming more impactful, more ambitious and more sustainable. Founders and Coders Founders and Coders offers an accessible educational pathway that opens doors to careers in software development. Its mission is to diversify the tech industry by removing barriers for underrepresentedgroups and providing support from school age to old age. Founders and Coders' unique peer-led learning model hones soft skills and deepens software development knowledge, fostering a thriving community of lifelong learners. Grange Pavilion Youth Forum Grange Pavilion Youth Forum is incredibly popular with the young people of Grangetown with children of all ages attending sessions every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The Grange Pavilion Youth Forum aims to connect children and young people’s social and emotional wellbeing through companionship, having their own space to be comfortable, and where they would experiment playfully and imaginatively, supporting young people in empowering, innovative, and challenging sessions that can be delivered throughout the year. Money A+E Money A+E is a social enterprise transforming lives through money advice and education. It promotes diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice, empowering disadvantaged groups, diverse ethnic communities, and young people to achieve financial stability. Its initiatives include the Racial Justice in Finance project, consultancy services, and the Grow Your Own project. Rooted in lived experience, the team ensures services are relevant and impactful, significantly reducing poverty and fostering inclusive financial systems. @moneyaande Nuneaton Signs Nuneaton Signs are a social enterprise, with a core purpose is to “provide meaningful employment andtraining for people with disabilities through the manufacture and sale of signs.” It designs and manufactures a variety of signage solutions for a wide range of sectors and valued customers. Nuneaton Signs opens its doors every day to provide opportunities and training for those furthest from the work marketplace and reinvests 100% of its surplus into this purpose. @nuneatonsigns Women in Banking and Finance Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF), established in 1980, is a volunteer-led social enterprise dedicated to promoting diversity, gender equity, and inclusion in UK financial services. Pioneering debates, lobbying, and policy-making, WIBF collaborates with corporate partners and industry bodies to implement practical solutions for industry challenges. WIBF's initiatives, such as development programs, leadership opportunities, and networking events, empower women to advance their careers and demonstrate the significant benefits of diversity and inclusion within the financial sector. @womeninbankingandfinance