Thought Leadership

Supporting social entrepreneurs to scale sustainably. Applications now open. Application deadline for North 2023 and UK mentoring-only programmes is 9th January 2023. What is Accelerate? The Accelerate programme supports young social entrepreneurs and social enterprises with a focus on supporting young people into employment, education, or enterprise. We want to help social enterprises to grow and thrive so that they can continue to play an important role in stimulating local economies and affecting social change. We offer a full 3-month programme, and a 1-month mentoring-only programme. The full programme offers a 3-month timetable of support and consists of: A business coach relationship: offering 1:1 support in understanding and leveraging business performanceTailored workshops: targeted at understanding the key financial and operational levers of businessNetworking events: to connect with potential clients, supporters and advisorsProcurement opportunities: opportunity for successful candidates to apply to join large corporate supply chainsLegal support: join legal support clinics around IP and employment law The mentoring-only programme offers 1-month of business mentoring supporting you with: A specific objective in your chosen focus area (operational, strategic or commercial)1:1 Support from an Expert/Specialist in the Field/Subject AreaFree access to a market-leading online growth planning tool Who will I work with? Accelerate is supported by volunteers from a range of teams across EY and external organisations across the UK. Participants will receive support from: Business coaches The wider EY network, including legal professionals Trainers and facilitators from a wide variety of sectors, all specialists in their field   Can I be part of the Accelerate programme? Individuals who meet the below eligibility criteria can apply to the programme: Running a social enterprise that supports young people into education, employment or enterprise or A social entrepreneur aged 18-30 Plus, at least three of the following: Your organisation is already established with 1+ years of tradingYou (the social entrepreneur) are working full-time within the businessYour social enterprise is generating revenueYou have a credible plan to grow at a local, regional or national level which in turn will create employment opportunities in the future Join Accelerate If you meet the eligibility criteria above, apply now to become a part of the next cohort. ⏰Application time: 3-5 minutes  📆 Application deadline: 9th January Further information: https://lnkd.in/eNxxszMRApply now: https://lnkd.in/eVrqEx6J

Launching in January 2023, Social Procurement Connect is a new initiative from Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) created to support organisations add social value and impact into their supply chains. Building on the successes of SEUK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge, which has directed over £250 million towards social enterprise suppliers, Social Procurement Connect will take our social procurement experience and expertise to a broader community of organisations. It will be a digital service to guide and support organisations who want to improve their purchasing and buy from social enterprises centred around an online resource hub which will contain best practice learnings, and tools developed by SEUK. Social Procurement Connect is open to any organisation interested in bringing social enterprises into their supply chain from social enterprises themselves to private and public sector organisations. Through joining Social Procurement Connect participating organisations will benefit from: Tips for creating and implementing an organisational social procurement initiativeExpert insights on social enterprise suppliersA review of your supply chain and the opportunities it presents to bring in social enterprise and social value.An online peer community of leading social procurement practitioners and fellow early adoptersTools for better understanding your organisation’s impact through its supply chain Introductory webinar We will be hosting an introductory webinar to introduce Social Procurement Connect and social sourcing on 19 January 2023 from 10-11 am. You can register for the free webinar here.

The UK’s largest independent athlete support programme opens its annual Award programme for new applications today (20 December 2022). Talented athletes from across 65 areas across the UK are invited to apply for a range of support awards which include financial support, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support. The GLL Sport Foundation celebrates its 15th year in 2023 and it is the UK’s largest independent athlete award programme which has so far contributed over £13m to help over 24,000 athletes on their sporting journey. The innovative scheme is provided by charitable social enterprise GLL and expects to award £1.2m worth of help in 2023 for successful applicants. Already a popular and essential support programme for athletes, the Foundation is expecting heightened athlete interest as the cost of living crisis hits and training costs, equipment purchases, strength & conditioning costs and travel costs continue to rise.   All successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better” trading brand. Applications open from 20 December 2022 until 20th February 2023. The award application announcement for 2023 was made at Lee Valley VeloPark, following the commencement of GLL’s newest partnership with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA). This means that athletes based at LVRPA’s world class facilities are now able to join the GLL Sport Foundation, including Lee Valley VeloPark (which hosted the Commonwealth Games Track Cycling event in 2022), Lee Valley White Water Centre (hosting the ICF Canoe World Slalom Championships in 2023), Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Riding Centre, and the new £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre (opening in 2023). This is in addition to a number of other world class venues – the London Aquatics Centre and Copper Box Arena on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Manchester’s Aquatics Centre (reopens 2023) and National Cycling Centre. Over the past 15 years, GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes have excelled in major competitions and have gained 76 Olympic and Paralympic medals and 77 Commonwealth Games medals. Previous holders of GSF awards include Darryl Neita (athletics), Anna Hursey (table tennis), Charlotte Worthington (BMX), Alex Yee (triathlon), boxers Anthony Joshua, Aiden and Michaela Walsh, divers Tom Daley, Matty Lee and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, swimmers Tully Kearney, Susie Rodgers, Tom Dean and Ellie Simmons. It has always however been a core mission of the programme to support young emerging talent on their sporting journey, with the majority of athletes aged under the age of 21 and the largest cohort under 18 years old. Across the programme, 87% of athletes receive no other funding or athlete support, which underlines the importance of the scheme to both athletes and GLL’s social values. Speaking at the launch of the awards at Lee Valley VeloPark, Peter Bundey, GLL Sport Foundation Chair, paid tribute to the support of Foundation Patron Sally Gunnell and all partners involved in the programme including; SportsAid, Mary Peters Trust, SportsAid Wales, sponsors, medical and local authority partners and a new collaboration for 2023 with Switch The Play, who will provide wider mentoring and mental health support.  “Our awards work alongside a number of national talent pathways, provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as helping local communities discover the opportunities and enrichment that comes through sport”.  Daryll Neita, who secured a bronze in the women’s 100m and a silver in the 4x4 100m relay at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games said:  “I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support I have received from the GLL ‘family’.” The successful impact of the Foundation is important to Patron Sally Gunnell OBE, who remains the only athlete to hold consecutive Olympic, World and Commonwealth titles.  She said:  “From my own experience starting out as a young athlete and progressing through my sport, I understand how important the recognition and support from organisations like the GLL Sport Foundation can be to a young athletes. It can make the difference in achieving sporting ambitions. “This is ever-more important today as we recover from a difficult and challenging two years, where dreams have been put on hold and sport had to stop. Athletes can now refocus having re-started competition and working towards those goals with the support of the GLL Sport Foundation.” Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: “We’re delighted to support the GLL Sport Foundation Awards in 2023 – it’s an extension of the commitment we consistently make to communities across the region. “These are hard times for athletes so any extra financial or practical help is welcomed ahead of national and international competition. “Like the GLL Sport Foundation, our venues are truly inspiring, offering world class facilities for athletes and anyone who wants to take part in sports and physical activity for fun and health.” Applications are open until 20th February 2023 via the website portal – www.gllsportfoundation.org About GLL/Better Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. Operating under the Better brand, we manage 258 public sport and leisure centres, 113 libraries and 10 children’s centres in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. GLL has 850,000 members and welcomes 46 million customer visits per year. Co-founder and CEO of GLL, Mark Sesnan OBE, is stepping down from his role at the end of 2022. Mark has been a key figure in the social enterprise movement for over 30 years, and under his tenure GLL has grown to being one of the country’s largest and most successful social enterprises. Find out more about Mark’s involvement with GLL here. www.gll.org GSF athletes attending the GSF Awards launch event at Lee Valley VeloPark were: Will Kirk - triathlete Jonty Yin - taekwondo Kimberley Woods - canoe slalom Joe Clarke - canoe slalom Nikita Setchell - canoe slalom Prince Reid - para athletics Chris Reid - para athletics Gavin Rumgay - table tennis Amy Holder - discus Susanna Banjo - athletics Catherine Demont - swimming masters

IMPORTANT INFO - THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS BASED IN HACKNEY Do you want to learn how you can make more environmentally positive decisions in your business? Do you need some expert advice on ways to reduce your carbon footprint? This hands-on event will help you transition towards a net-zero economy! Day 1 : Monday 30th January 2023, 9am – 5pm @ The Fisheries, London Fields, Hackney Day 2 : Monday 6th February 2023, 9am - 5pm @ The Fisheries, London Fields, Hackney Who's the event for? For all established small businesses who are looking to develop and grow into a more eco-friendly and sustainable business. Open to all types of businesses; from start-ups, and solo-founder/ entrepreneurs to high street shops & cafés. Participants must be living in or operating in Hackney, East London. If you live in, are registered in, or your offices/workspace is/are based in Hackney, then this is for you! As part of your participation in this FREE event you'll receive: 🌎 The latest green tips & tactics to navigate the uncertain business landscape 🌎 Develop your personalised “Green Action Plan” 🌎 Access to £250 towards your net-zero accreditation suited to your business* 🌎 Access to 3 free follow-up hours of 1-to-1 mentorship with an Allia Business Coach tailored to your business needs. 🌎 Opportunities to join the Allia Alumni network of 2,000+ ventures 🌎 Leave with your certificate of participation & a wealth of knowledge An overview of the 2 days - what will you come away with? Learn from experts the correct environmental vocabulary & terminologies to use surrounding net-zeroAccelerate your own transition to net-zero in a digestible 2-day seminarNetwork with like-minded entrepreneurs in Hackney who want to make a differenceEngage with peers, mentors, and resources on how Hackney can be net-zeroInsight from Industry experts on the topics of: Green Marketing (Green Claims Code) - How to avoid greenwashing and staying compliant with the latest advertising standardsSustainable Business Models - Building sustainable value propositions into your businessCarbon Calculation Workshop – Understanding your environmental footprint so you can measure, react and reduce as well as sharing this with customers, suppliers, and stakeholdersFunding Opportunities for your business in 2023 (SEIS/ EIS) - The state of green finance and how it can or can’t serve you Work through your challenges with 1-to-1 coaching and stay up-to-date with small business trendsCalculate your Carbon footprint and generate your Green Action PlanConnect with the Allia Alumni Network of 2,000+ small business ownersCertify your actions. Access to £250 towards your Green Accreditation (from BCorp, Green Mark, etc) suited to your business*Build resilience & understand the evolving customer requirements of eco-conscious customers Join us for hot drinks and breakfast (fruit & pastries) from 8.30am on both days to meet the team and other small businesses attending the seminar. A delicious vegan lunch will be provided by one of our Green Business Alumni - Gaia Pulses, who deliver delicious, homemade, organic food in reusable containers - and we welcome you to join us for a drink after the seminar at the Pub by the Park! About Allia Allia has been active in environmental issues and supporting cleantech and smart energy start-ups for many years. We pledge to help as many small businesses as we can to make substantial changes to their working practices and systems, through advice delivered by programmes and workshops, as well as within our own Future Business Centres. From working with Hackney Council we are providing a Green Business programme to help local businesses, start-ups and ventures in the borough to start making positive green steps for their business. Special thanks to the Hackney Council who sponsor this incredible event to move towards net-zero. allia.org.uk

Newcastle is the latest area to gain registered Social Enterprise Place status by Social Enterprise UK, recognising the city as a hotspot of social enterprise activity. Social Enterprise Places are areas of the country where social enterprises and key regional stakeholders such as local government, other businesses and universities have come together to form thriving areas of social enterprise activity. SEUK’s Social Enterprise Places Programme recognises and supports these areas. Newcastle is the 34th registered Social Enterprise Place in the UK and joins Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham as the next city in the North East to gain this status. The city is home to a dynamic social enterprise ecosystem with 323 social enterprises operating across the economy including youth services, arts and culture organisations, community health and wellbeing services, and business support bodies. They come in all sizes from businesses turning over millions to small community focused organisations. Social enterprises are also starting up in Newcastle at a rapid rate with the number of registered Community Interest Companies (CICs) growing by over a half between 2019 and 2022. The bid to become a Social Enterprise Place was co-ordinated by a stakeholder group which consisted of local social enterprises, Newcastle City Council and other organisations who have put together an action plan to create the best environment for these businesses to thrive in the city. Commenting on Newcastle becoming a Social Enterprise Place, Peter Holbrook Chief Executive at Social Enterprise UK said: “Newcastle is home to a vibrant, growing social enterprise community and we congratulate the city on gaining Social Enterprise Place status. We also recognise the incredible efforts of the social enterprises behind the bid to come together and set out a plan to further grow the impact of social enterprises in the city. As the cost of living crisis continues to bite and inequalities become ever more apparent, the role of social enterprise has never been more important. It is vital that these businesses, which are so often on the frontline of supporting communities through the crisis, are supported and invested in. Through becoming a registered Social Enterprise Place this fantastic city has committed to placing social enterprise at the heart of regional economic development.” For more information read this press release on the Newcastle City Council website. Find out more about the Social Enterprise Place programme here.

Over the last decade the social care sector in England has seen unprecedented demand coupled with funding cuts and workforce recruitment and retention challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic added more pressure to already stretched social care systems. Recent research at the University of Birmingham has been exploring the contribution of social enterprises to the adult social care sector. As part of this research, we analysed data from the 2019 and 2021 ‘State of Social Enterprise’ survey focusing only on social enterprises delivering social care services (‘care social enterprises’). We looked at any changes in the sector immediately before and after the pandemic. Overall, the survey suggests that the care social enterprise sector responded positively to the challenges of Covid-19. Between 2019 and 2021, most care social enterprises not only survived, but we found generally positive indications of growth and reports of diversification and innovation. Whilst the pandemic created challenges for the sector, including financial difficulties – with 32% of care social enterprises reporting that they drew on their financial reserves and 20% having increased borrowing in response to the pandemic - most (68%) did not pass any financial burden on to their service users. Many care social enterprises surveyed reported that their annual income had increased; with almost twice as many organisations reporting an annual income exceeding £1m in 2021 than had done in 2019, although the actual proportion reporting income exceeding £1m was relatively small (just under 20% in 2019), with medium income of £100,000. More care social enterprises also reported making a profit in 2021 (56%) compared to 2019 (44%). An overwhelming 81% of care social enterprises surveyed reported that they changed their processes and/or ways of thinking in response to the pandemic. As well as adapting in response to Covid-19, care social enterprises were found generally to be dynamic; in 2021, 48% reported that they had expanded into new markets and 62% had developed new products. Many also reported that they had expanded the reach of their services, with over three quarters (78%) operating across more than one local authority area in 2021 (compared with 59% in 2019). Similarly, the number of employees in care social enterprises increased between 2019 and 2021 from a median of five to twelve employees, and more than two-thirds (68%) expected their staff number to growth further. Whilst the number of staff grew, staffing was affected by the pandemic with 42% of care social enterprises reporting furloughing staff, 44% asked staff to take on additional roles, and over half provided or switched to remote working.  The most common objective of care social enterprises was reported as ‘supporting vulnerable people’ and one notable trend over the last two years has been the prioritisation of adult mental health and wellbeing. Whilst this is reflected in the entire social enterprise sector [1], with nearly a third of the sector prioritising adult mental health and wellbeing as a main objective, a more dramatic shift is visible in care social enterprises with adult mental health listed as a priority objective by 27% in 2019, and more than doubling to 59% in 2021.  This is congruent with increasing demand on NHS mental health services post COVID19 [2] and supports the notion of adaptability and resilience in recent years in the care social enterprise sector. Care social enterprises therefore appear to have responded well to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are widely recognised as driving innovation and as having real expertise around their communities. These qualities may make them well placed to fill some of the gaps in statutory care and support, and in turn gain recognition as integral stakeholders in health and care systems [3]. In recent years care social enterprises have therefore proven their ability to adapt and innovate in response to changing demands and challenges.  Furthermore, they have continued to grow and remain profitable in the face of crisis. By Kelly Hall, Kelly Hayward and Phil Kinghorn, University of Birmingham  [1] SEUK (2021) No going back- state of social enterprise survey 2021, https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/seuk-report/no-going-back-state-of-social-enterprise-survey-2021/ [2] NHS Confederation (2021) Increase in demand for mental health support is being felt across the system, 25 October 2021, https://www.nhsconfed.org/articles/increase-demand-mental-health-support-being-felt-across-system [3] ADASS (2020) The voluntary and community sector in a world shaped by Covid https://www.adass.org.uk/next-steps-for-the-vcs-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-a-world-shaped-by-covid

WRS Insurance Brokers are thrilled to join Social Enterprise UK. WRS are a team of experienced and committed social enterprise insurance professionals. We take pride in only sourcing our products from insurers who we believe are financially sound and ethical. WRS’s experienced social enterprise insurance team are passionate about the sector. We understand the challenges social enterprises face as we are a Certified Social Enterprise ourselves. For more than four decades, we’ve been supporting a wide range of charities and other third sector organisations with their insurance needs, so are well placed to help advise you on the best insurance for social enterprises like yours. No matter how big or small your social enterprise is or what your day-to-day activities involve, it’s almost certain we’ve helped an enterprise like yours find the insurance they need. Get a no obligation review of your social insurance by contacting Francesca Kirkham today. Get in touch here

The winners of the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2022 were announced last night at a gala reception at the iconic Roundhouse in Camden, London. The Awards were a celebration of the impact of the UK’s social enterprise community and brought together leading social enterprises with supporters of the sector – from corporates to social investors. It was a real showcase of why social enterprise represents business at its best and, across fifteen categories, highlighted the diversity and strength of the sector. The winner of the overall Social Enterprise of the Year Award was auticon, the pioneering international tech consultancy that exclusively employs professional consultants on the autism spectrum. View the full list of winners here Guests enjoyed entertainment from Alex Horne and his band The Horne Section as well as from award-winning comedian Shazia Mirza and performers from social enterprise, Black Sheep Collective. Commenting on the Awards, Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK said: “The last year has been a difficult one for businesses across the UK, and it has been no different for social enterprises. The Awards were a real evening of hope and inspiration and brought home the sheer ingenuity, adaptability and determination of the social enterprise community, which has continued to deliver for the people and communities they work with and support. “The winners include businesses which are breaking down barriers for groups marginalised in the workforce, organisations at the heart of local economies, and those finding innovative ways to tackle the climate crisis. The ever-growing movement of social enterprise truly represents business at its best.” As well as celebrating the successes of the social enterprise movement the Awards used a social enterprise supply chain. Trophies were made by Designs in Mind – a social enterprise working with adults living with mental health challenges and catering was provided by The Clink, a business working in prisons. Social enterprise also provided the photography, table gifts, awards brochure and water. SEUK worked with social enterprise event management company, Fuse Events, to run the event. The Awards were delivered in partnership with Cwmpas, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland and Social Enterprise Scotland.