Member News
The Cockpit Effect Impact Report 2020
London’s independent craft businesses might be tiny, but they pack a mighty economic punch. Makers based at Cockpit Arts make a surprisingly hefty contribution to the capital’s thriving creative industries, according to a new report.Read more
Two of London’s Most Successful Social Enterprises Call for the Mayor and TfL to Keep Children Active by Introducing Bicycle Scheme Across All London’s Nurseries
Bikeworks, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Bethnal Green, has now donated a total of 200 bikes to London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), since their partnership began in 2018.Read more
Social enterprise partners with African Union’s Great Green Wall to Build “Billion Dollar Baobab” Value Chain
The Great Green Wall is an African-led movement with an epic ambition to grow an 8,000km natural wonder of the world across the entire width of Africa. Social Enterprise UK member, Aduna, is part of it working with communities to create entirely new value streams connecting rural villages to global markets.Read more
Salford social enterprise leads on disability confidence
A Salford social enterprise has been recognised as a leader in employing disabled people. Unlimited Potential has been awarded Disability Confident Leader status by the Department of Work and Pensions.Read more
Social Enterprises Fighting for a Gender Equal World
For IWD 2020 we spoke with five women who’ve each founded ground-breaking social enterprises set up to create a more gender equal world. We’ve asked them their thoughts on what needs to change to encourage more women to enter the world of business and to share their experiences from their own journeys.Read more
Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme
Are you committed to helping people in need or improving the environment? This programme has helped almost 2,000 people like you to start up and scale social enterprises, charities, community projects and impact-led organisations.Read more
PM awards outstanding social entrepreneur
Founder of Social Enterprise UK member, From Babies with Love, has been recognised by the Prime Minister for her exceptional service supporting orphaned and abandoned children worldwide.Read more
Support the world's first social enterprise feature film!
Skem, I Love You" is the world's first social enterprise feature film! Bringing together local people in Skelmersdale, its budget will be spent on real community projects that tackle genuine issues in the town, whilst giving people the opportunity to participate in making the film. Support their Crowdfunder and make this inspiring idea a reality.Read more
Impact Hub King’s Cross Feeding the City Accelerate Programme
Applications are open for social enterprises to apply for Impact Hub Kings Cross's, Feeding the City Accelerate Programme which will support innovative food enterprises making the food system more equal and sustainable for people and planet.Read more
Future Directions are ‘Bucking the National Trend’ by being Outstanding!
Social Enterprise UK member, Future Directions, has been rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC joining the just 4% of care providers to have achieved this rating. Its values of putting people first going the extra mile show the difference being a social enterprise can have in the delivery of quality, personalised servicesRead more
Director of Nimbus Disability recognised in New Years Honours list
The Founder of Social Enterprise UK member, Nimbus Disability has been an awarded an MBE for Accessibility in the Tourism and Entertainment Sector. Nimbus created the Access Card, an innovative way for disabled people and businesses to communicate access needs and provision through a series of symbols.Read more
Mayor calls on businesses to boost social enterprises
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has urged businesses to help improve people’s lives by supporting local social enterprises at the launch of the Social Economy Taskforce report.Read more
Give a Healthy Smile Appeal
Tooth decay is the single largest reason why children aged between five and nine are admitted to hospital. Please help social enterprise dentists, CDS fund more supervised toothbrushing for children in greatest need.Read more
Christmas Jumper Day! notjust celebrate icons of 2019 with new festive collection
Social enterprise notjust, who bought the nation the famous Gareth Southgate and David Attenbrr! Christmas jumpers raising more than £30,000 for charity, return with a brand-new limited-edition range celebrating the biggest icons of 2019. The festive knits pay homage to those who have shocked, stunned, stood-up-for and soothed us over the course of the year, with profits from each sale including a charitable donation.Read more
Local not-for-profit healthcare social enterprise ‘Here’ celebrates receiving rare rating of ‘outstanding’ by regulator
A partnership-focused social enterprise based in Brighton, has earnt a place in the top 5% of healthcare organisations to be rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.Read more
Bringing fun to new heights at High Rise
Northern Ireland-based Social Enterprise Employers For Childcare has officially launched its £2.5 million indoor adventure centre High Rise. High Rise incorporates a stunning Clip ‘n Climb arena – the biggest in Ireland - along with a soft play area, Sensory Room and Quiet Room and a number of party and corporate rooms.Read more
Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport awards winners
Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport (LWCT), Powys, Wales, is very pleased to announce that they have just won two prestigious awards and the Landed Festival, who LWCT supports, has also won an award.Read more
Smile Together Publish Impact Special Edition for #SmilesAtSea 2019
Smile Together Dental CIC have proudly published their latest Impact Special Edition showcasing their #SmilesAtSea 2019 success in reaching out to the local fishing community across Cornwall and Devon harboursides.Read more
Fairtrade nuts to boost income for smallholder farmers this festive season
Liberation Foods, the UK’s only farmer-owned nut company, has launched a new Fairtrade line for this year’s Tesco finest* Christmas range. The product, Fairtrade Chocolate Caramelised Cashews with Cranberries, will bring extra income to farmers and their communities in countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Costa Rica.Read more
Getting Players On The Pitch And Into Employment
Community interest company ‘SoFab Sports’ is the first social enterprise to receive £100,000 investment from the Resonance South West Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) Fund following its recent geographical extension into the wider South West.Read more
Festive Shopping at Cockpit Arts Winter Open Studios 2019
Cockpit Arts is throwing open the doors for its celebrated Winter Open Studios. This twice-yearly shopping event is the only time Cockpit is open to the public, making it an exclusive chance to buy direct from over 140 of the best craftspeople in London, see where it all happens and support this hub of creative talent.Read more
A World-class Social Change Degree in Leeds
Young and mature learners who aspire to be leaders and change-makers now have the chance to join a unique social change degree at Leeds Beckett University: BA Innovation and Skills for Social Change.Read more
Well Grounded opens new Barista Training Academy in King’s Cross to support 100s of people into work
Well Grounded, London’s first social enterprise to focus on developing highly skilled talent for the Specialty Coffee industry, has opened an academy based in King’s Cross this October.Read more
Social enterprise soap brand wants you to steal their staff
BECO., the social enterprise soap brand is taking a new approach to business, calling on competitors and UK employers to take a stand when it comes to recruitmentRead more
Brightkidz Takes ST:EPS to Change the School Run
Brightkidz social enterprise has published a new guide to help make the school run more active, safe and sustainable and reduce car dependency.Read more
Charity Bank takes to the road with free regional events for charity professionals
Charity Bank is inviting trustees, directors, CEOs and managers of charities, social enterprises, and community organisations to attend a series of free regional events in September and October. Taking place in London, Tunbridge Wells, Leeds, Reading, Edinburgh, Derby and Manchester, these events will provide the latest insight on the state of the social sector at a time of change and challenge. NCVO will present an update on the state of the sector and then sector specialists will engage with the audience in unpicking some of the challenges and opportunities that exist.Read more
“Inclusive Islands” launches in Jakarta – sharing learning between creative social enterprises in the UK & Indonesia
“Inclusive Islands” is boosting Indonesia’s impact support ecosystem, uniting social enterprise experience from the island communities of Scotland to Indonesia - the world’s largest island archipelago. As part of British Council’s DICE (Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies) programme, Inclusive Islands is bringing together 20 social entrepreneurs from Medan, Jayapura, Makassar, Pontianak and Padang, who run social enterprises in creative areas including; tourism, crafts, and publishing.Read more
MHFA England publishes first impact report
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England has today launched its first ever social impact report. The report is a celebration of MHFA England, its twelve years of history, achievements over the year 2018/19 and an outline of plans for the future.Read more
Shipping container shopping hub and green barn: Exciting plans proposed for Grimsby Garden Centre
Innovative plans by leading social enterprise NAViGO to further transform Grimsby Garden Centre have been submitted to council planners. The proposals include: the repurposing of shipping containers to create a unique independent retail feature entrance hub for small local businesses a new timber built green barn with wool insulation, composting toilets and rainwater harvesting. The low-carbon facility, powered by a wind turbine will provide flexible use space for activities, children’s play and events.Read more
North East Charities wanted for free phones offer
SwitchAid, a not for profit fundraising scheme that generates funds for good causes by switching energy & telecoms for homes and businesses, has done a deal with Carphone Warehouse to benefit charities.Read more
Allia announces The Future 20 – 20 exciting companies looking to change the world
Tech for good and social ventures addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals to be given no-cost individual packages of support to help them create greater impact.Read more
New £15M fund for social enterprises & charities to transform high streets using historic buildings
AHF (the Architectural Heritage Fund) today announces the opening of the Transforming Places Through Heritage fund, focused on reinvigorating England’s high streets and town centres as once more thriving hubs of community, through the creative reuse of local historic buildings.Read more
Smile Together publish Social Impact Report 2018/19
Smile Together Dental CIC are proud to officially publish their 2018/19 Social Impact Report – a celebration of their achievements and social impact in a year which has seen them reinvesting their profits into frontline patient services as well as their community like never before.Read more
Scottish pupils receive national social enterprise award from Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP
This year, innovative young people across Scotland have been setting up businesses to tackle the social and environmental issues that matter to them. Forty schools from Central Scotland received a Social Enterprise in Education Award from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP to recognise the success and sustainability of their social enterprisesRead more
Fusion21 research reveals social value's growing in importance amongst UK public procurement professionals
Almost two thirds (64%) of UK public procurement professionals say social value has become more important over the last 12 months, Fusion21's second annual Procurement Trends Report has found.Read more
Learn how to effectively leverage video for your business
Chocolate Films have recently released the e-book 'How To Effectively Use Video For Your Business'. It is a guide to help organisations, including social enterprises, to effectively leverage video content. The book explores 5 routes to win at video marketing, with content types that are achievable for any organisation and practical takeaways.Read more
Unity Trust Bank and Charity Bank team-up to provide £8.5m loan for dementia care in Yorkshire
Unity Trust Bank and Charity Bank have joined forces to provide loans totalling £8.5m to enable charity Abbeyfield The Dales to purchase the award-winning Fern House, a 30-room dementia care home in Bingley in Yorkshire.Read more
Call for Social Economy Research in Coventry
The City of Coventry has been invited to submit a proposal to the Local Access Programme, a new fund created by ACCESS – The Foundation for Social Investment and Big Society Capital to take a place based approach to transforming the social economy through blended finance. Coventry is one of only 12 places invited to take part in a competitive process where 5 places will be offered a share of £33m of blended finance to develop a strong social economy.Read more
2019 Social Enterprise World Forum in Addis Ababa
This year's Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF 2019) will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 23-25th October 2019. This Global Forum was first established in 2008 and has traversed the globe, visiting 6 continents (Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and South America) and 10 Cities (Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Calgary, Seoul, Milan, Hong Kong and Christchurch).Read more
WildHearts Transform Over One Million Lives
In 2017 WildHearts set an ambitious goal; they would transform one million lives by the end of 2020. Earlier this year, on March 26th they achieved that goal.Read more
£1.1m Unity Trust Bank loan provides urgently needed housing for the homeless in Coventry
A £1.1m loan from Unity Trust, the commercial bank with a social conscience has enabled social enterprise The Cornerstone Partnership to purchase 17 properties for the homeless in Coventry. Operated in partnership with The Salvation Army; the properties provide safe, sustainable homes integrated in the community for homeless families to begin rebuilding their lives.Read more
Young mental health advocate harnesses power of social media to create body image film
It is estimated that 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder and as Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May, 2019) commences - young film-maker and mental health advocate, Tallulah Self has created ‘HOME’, a short film featuring mental health influencer and ballet dancer, Margi Barbieri.Read more
GLL increases staff training with inclusion of mental health awareness modules
This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week (13th-19th May) and GLL, the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise, is continuing its commitment to improving mental health throughout the areas it operates in, with the introduction of new staff training modules, to help improve the wellbeing of not only the customers that use its services, but the staff that provide them.Read more
Record award numbers brings GLL Sport Foundation athlete support to £11 million
GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has marked 11 years as the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, by announcing its largest ever annual athlete awards for 2019.Read more
Treherbert social enterprise receives £90,000 Co-op Foundation funding boost
A Treherbert-based social enterprise dedicated to managing local woodland sustainably has received a £90,000 funding boost from The Co-op Foundation.Read more
Electronic Prescription Service launched in urgent care service
Patients using unscheduled urgent care services across the south and east of England are set to benefit from a new electronic prescribing service developed by social enterprise IC24 and NHS Digital.Read more
Divine Chocolate Annual Report 2017 - 2018
Divine chocolate are proud to announce their annual report for July 2017 and June 2018, as well as a summary of our financial accounts.Read more
‘Elevator’ competition will enable social enterprises to scale whilst accelerating solutions to their cause
Independent PR and comms agency Eulogy has launched a competition enabling social enterprises and early-stage ventures driven by social purpose to win pro bono support to help move them from start-up to scale up, whilst accelerating solutions to their cause.Read more
Exciting year ahead for Liverpool social enterprise as PSS marks Centenary
Founded by Liverpool icon Eleanor Rathbone in 1919, PSS are celebrating 100 years of helping people, innovation… and plenty of firsts along the way!Read more
Take on a Placement Student this Summer
The NUS is currently seeking organisations and businesses who want to empower students from all backgrounds to innovate and progress sustainability through meaningful work placements. Join a network of organisations working to enhance partnership working with universities whilst exploring potential to make a positive impact.Read more
Belu generates £1 million in one year for WaterAid to bring clean water around the world
Eight years into their unique partnership, pioneering social enterprise and ethical water company Belu has reached its goal to give WaterAid £1 million in a year, helping transform hundreds of thousands of lives with clean water.Read more
Launch of Cockpit Effect Report
The annual Cockpit Effect Report was launched on the 11 March at the prestigious Clothworkers’ Hall to an invited audience of 50 enthusiastic guests. Cockpit enables talent to flourish and support entrepreneurial craft businesses.Read more
Social Enterprise, Future Directions wins two Skills for Care Accolades
Social Enterprise UK member Future Directions won the Most Effective Approach to Leadership and Management and the Most Effective Approach to Integrated New Models of Care Categories.Read more
Enterprising Scottish pupils create special edition of The Big Issue magazine
Children from 14 schools across Scotland will try their hand at selling a special edition of The Big Issue magazine, that some of their pupils took part in creating.Read more
Unity Trust Bank sees profits rise 68% in 2018 “Pursuing community and commercial value is a win-win” said CEO Margaret Willis
Unity Trust, the commercial bank for firms and organisations that want to help create a better society, increased its profits 68% in 2018. Unity approved over £200 million of lending to firms and projects that will deliver community, economic or environmental benefits. This is a record-breaking performance for Unity which has seen its lending almost double since it became independent in 2015.Read more
Hey Girls Invite Michael Sheen to be Part of The Bloody Conversation
Hey Girls, a social enterprise whose mission, is to tackle period poverty in the UK, announced a nationwide campaign called ‘#Pads4Dads’. Aimed at men, the campaign encourages Dads to feel more confident speaking to their daughters about periods.Read more
A Celebration of Cumbria’s Best Social Enterprises
The 2019 Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership Awards took place on Tuesday, 5th March at Coronation Hall in Ulverston. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Social Enterprise … The Future of Business’.Read more
Apprentice star on board to further brighten Grimsby Garden Centre
Big are things expected for 2019 as Grimsby Garden Centre enlist the help of BBC Apprentice star and entrepreneur Elizabeth McKenna to work alongside the team. Elizabeth, who came fourth in the programme in 2017, offers up her wealth of business knowledge to help the garden centre continue to grow.Read more
Bloody Big Brunch
Ahead of a nationwide campaign in March, research published today has revealed that the issue of period poverty is more substantial than previously evidenced. Until now, the statistic of 1 in 10 women and girls in the U.K. being unable to afford menstrual products has been cited, but a new survey held by Ginger Comms, the Bloody Big Brunch and Hey Girls has shown that the figure is closer to 3 in 10 women (27%).Read more
Rose Marley to lead on Opportunity Pass for young people
Rose Marley, CEO of social enterprise Sharp Futures will be spearheading a drive to increase opportunities for young people across Greater Manchester.Read more
Impact Loans England programme receives an additional £3.9 million
Impact Loans England is available to organisations across England looking for unsecured repayable finance between £10k-£150k. The funding is available to organisations keen to do more of the good work they do – whether it’s buying equipment, hiring new talent, or progressing with business development plans.Read more
ITEC bringing Brighter Smiles for children in West Cornwall
Over 500 more Cornish pupils in the west of the county will be improving their oral health in the new year thanks to the generous support of ITEC Group UK for Brighter Smiles, Cornwall’s oral health campaign.Read more
New BAME support programme looks to build business strength and help excluded communities explore social investment
Social Investment Business launch Diverse Ambitions - a support programme and fund referral scheme for BAME charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area.Read more
At the Double – Heywood social enterprise rated outstanding for a second time
Staff at Heywood based social enterprise PossAbilities, are celebrating a remarkable ‘double’, having received their second consecutive OUTSTANDING rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).Read more
Planet First opens its doors A brand new not for profit Social enterprise company has opened its doors
Planet first is a social enterprise company that provides professional energy cost, consumption management and reduction services across the UK.Read more
Allia's top tips for an eco-friendly and ethical Christmas
To help cut down on festive waste this year and give ideas on how to give back this Christmas, SEUK member, Allia have put together their top tips for an eco-friendly and ethical holidays.Read more
Record Job Vacancies highlights the growing skills gap which new tech social enterprise Stay Nimble is tackling head on
Start-up social enterprise, Stay Nimble is aiiming to help people learn how to adapt more easily and quickly to changes in the labour market.Read more
Smile Together publishes Social Impact Report 2018
Employee-owned dental social enterprise, Smile Together have published their latest impact report looking at how they are reducing health inequalities and preventing tooth decay!Read more
Brewgooder launches Jingle Wells campaign to try to fund 12 well repairs in Malawi
Jingle Wells is a Brewgooder campaign to try to fund 12 well repairs in Malawi… 1 for everyday of Christmas… to bring an additional 3,000 people clean drinking water in 2019.Read more
Hackney is Social: A Social Enterprise Manifesto for Hackney
Thursday 15 November saw the launch of ‘Hackney Is Social’, a social enterprise manifesto for Hackney, coordinated by Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC on behalf of the Hackney Social Enterprise Place Partnership. ‘Hackney Is Social’ was officially launched by special guest Claire Dove OBE DL, Crown Representative for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector and former chair of Social Enterprise UK at the ‘Hackney: A Social Enterprise Borough’ conference held in Hackney House.Read more
Major boost for social enterprise sector and ‘beauty with purpose’ as John Lewis & Partners stocks The Soap Co.’s, Eco & Bee-Friendly Collection
In a major achievement for CLARITY-The Soap Co., the social enterprise announces that in time for the busy Christmas period, high-end department store, John Lewis & Partners, is to sell its luxury, ethical The Soap Co. eco and bee friendly collection across various of its stores nationwide.Read more
Birmingham: A Social Enterprise City
As of 15 November, Birmingham is officially a Social Enterprise City!Read more
Two London Authorities invest a further £30m into Homelessness Fund securing over 90 homes to house small families and individuals
The Real Lettings Property Fund2 (RLPF2), managed by social impact investment company Resonance and homelessness charity St Mungo’s, has received further investments of £15m each from the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Westminster. The Fund purchases homes around the capital for people affected by homelessness, helping them move on with their lives and into independent living.Read more
Local deaf professional has won the Natwest WISE Award
Minna Moffatt-Feldman, owner of Sign How, a Manchester-based social enterprise, has WON a place on the NatWest WISE100 Award (Women in Social Enterprise) in recognition of work to improve access for deaf people. All Sign How teachers and assessors are themselves deaf, placing them in an ideal position to act as role models and help others to learn deaf awareness, British Sign Language and Communication Support Strategies across the Manchester boroughs and other parts of the UK.Read more
From Babies with Love announced as finalist at the 2018 Employee Engagement Awards
The Employee Engagement Awards are a platform to recognise excellence, they inspire and educate organisations to remake the way they think about and engage people to achieve their purpose. From Babies with Love is a finalist with it’s corporate service, FAMILY, offering parental leave gifts that also support orphaned and abandoned children around the world.Read more
Sheffield social enterprise to deliver £3m to creative projects across Northern Powerhouse
Sheffield social enterprise Key Fund will distribute Government’s Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund. The fund will help arts and cultural organisations grow their social impact in local communities.Read more
Fair credit provider Fair for You reaches £10 million lending high
Flexible credit provider Fair For You has provided a total of £10 million loans since it was established in 2015. Approximately £650,000 in loans has been issued in October 2018 alone, the highest amount ever issued in a single month. 32,000 loans have been granted by the company overall. Fair For You was founded by Angela Clements to combat high-cost weekly payment stores.Read more
New grant funding initiative proves to be a match for community businesses
The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), in partnership with Power to Change, have released positive new data from the first cohort of community businesses in England to be supported by Match Trading™ grants, a new type of grant funding. The Match Trading grants have supported community businesses to achieve a typical 92% increase in income from trading.Read more
Edinburgh Businessman's Landmark Sale
Edinburgh businessman Chris Thewlis has become Scotland’s first social enterprise entrepreneur to make a viable exit from a company with his sale of Beer for Good CIC.Read more
"I made your clothes" installation at Amnesty UK Headquarters
SEUK member and ethical men's clothing retailer Brothers We Stand is hosting an “I Made Your Clothes” installation by ethical menswear retailer at Amnesty International headquarters in the week running up to Social Saturday (13th October).Read more
Office Space in Allia's Future Business Centre
Allia are please to have self contained office space to let in their new business centre in Hackney, East London.Read more
News worth shouting about gets new home - Campaign Collective launches The Rooftop news site
Charity and campaigner news will get a new home with the launch of The Rooftop. The website and social channels will help charities and campaigners connect with the general public and get their positive stories heard in what is often a negative mainstream media climate.Read more
Smile Together publishes Impact Special Edition
Social enterprise Smile Together have published their latest Impact Special Edition showcasing its #SmilleAtSea programme which has reached out to the Cornish fishing community with dental treatment and NHS health checks.Read more
New Mental Health Support Programme Challenges Social Isolation
Epic CIC introduces Strong Young Minds- a programme which provides a one to one outreach service that is led by the child or young person to help access the support they want. By giving young people a sense of control over their use of the service, Strong Young Minds creates a unique outlet for children and young people to vocalise their concerns while staying in charge of how their one to one programme is led.Read more
Alysia Reiner proves Green is the New Black in her latest collaboration with Sustainable Luxury Brand Elvis & Kresse
Green is the New Black in this innovative collaboration between Elvis & Kresse and LIVARI clothing. Alysia Reiner’s (Orange is the New Black, The Deuce) zero waste fashion label LIVARI illustrates how fashion can be a force for good. In an industry where leading fashion houses take to burning unsold stock, this latest collaboration comes as an instant breath of fresh air.Read more
Divine Chocolate introduces new organic, high cocoa rich & dark range
Divine Chocolate, the international Fairtrade company co-owned by farmers, is delighted to introduce its first ever organic dark chocolate range. The new range is made with acclaimed high quality cocoa sourced from smallholder farmers in São Tomé aka ‘The Chocolate Island’.Read more
New Mental Health Support Programme Offers a Unique Way to Challenge Social Isolation
NHS England figures have recently revealed that children and young people with serious mental health problems are forced to travel as far as 285 miles to receive mental health support. The Youth Forum at Epic CIC have also been very vocal about needing more mental health support within the borough.Read more
Last chance to sign up to Childcare Vouchers – act now or miss out!
Parents are being urged to register for Childcare Vouchers now before the Scheme closes to new entrants on 4 October 2018.Read more
Pioneering events company has now employed over 200 ex-homeless people
A London based events company revealed today that it has now employed over 200 people with a history of homelessness and urges other businesses to take Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seriously too.Read more
Hey Girls ‘delighted’ to be major provider in Scottish sanitary product scheme
Hey Girls, the award-winning East Lothian based social enterprise company set up to tackle period poverty, is ‘delighted’ to be a major provider in the Scottish Government’s initiative to provide free sanitary products all pupils and students, to be announced this week.Read more
BECỌ - GOOD, CLEAN, FUN
Award winning social enterprise, CLARITY-The Soap Cọ releases BECỌ - a new feel good, socially enterprising and better considered soap range putting real change in the hands of people across the UK.Read more
Big Issue Invest’s Power Up programme launches to support community businesses across the Midlands
Big Issue Invest has today launched its Power Up programme. The lending scheme will offer investment and mentoring support to up to 15 early stage social ventures across the Midlands. Power Up, pioneered by Big Issue Invest (BII), is funded by Barclays with investment coming from Power to Change, Experian and Big Issue Invest Trust.Read more
City Drive announces Birmingham as a Social Enterprise City
Last month, USE IT! proudly supported the iSE facilitated CITY DRIVE week long programme of events to raise awareness, promote employment opportunities and encourage marketplace development for the amazing social enterprises across Birmingham.Read more
CQC’s chief inspector of general practice visits outstanding Bradford practice helping vulnerable city patients
Staff, volunteers and service users at Bevan Healthcare CIC’s city centre practice welcomed chief inspector of general practice from the health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last week as part of his visit to the city.Read more
Social Enterprise UK member wins Better Society Award
Social Enterprise UK member wins Better Society Award Campaign Collective has been named Consultancy of the Year at the Better Society Awards ceremony in London.Read more
Bloody brilliant way to end period poverty goes on the menu in London
A brunch experience with a difference is coming to London – one that promises to do good with every Bloody Mary poured. Taking place at The Book Club, Shoreditch on Saturday 2nd June (12noon-4pm), the Bloody Big Brunch, will serve-up the classic cocktail all day long - but there’s a catch. It can only be ‘bought’ in exchange for sanitary protection.Read more
Social Enterprise The Skill Mill is set to scale-up
Life Chances Funding announced by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will assist multi-award winning Social Enterprise The Skill Mill to support more young ex-offenders into jobs, achieve qualifications and desist from crime.Read more
Leisure trust merger agreed
The operator of the council’s sport and leisure services in Welwyn Hatfield has changed following a merger between Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) and Finesse Leisure that will enable the strengths of both organisations to be used most effectively.Read more
From Babies with Love’s social impact doubles
In the last twelve months From Babies with Love has increased the number of vulnerable children it supports from 2,060 to 4,180, more than doubling its social impact.Read more
The Micro-Placements Programme
The Micro-Placements Programme is a new initiative from City, University of London which aims to place students from low socio-economic backgrounds into short-term career-exploration projects. The purpose is to enhance students’ core employability skills and to help develop their CVs through work experience opportunities across a variety of sectors. This programme supports City’s community engagement which looks to form unique links with Business and the Professions.Read more
Trio of new members join Campaign Collective
Charles Heymann, Louise Akers and Laura Jane Hicks have become the latest communications professionals to join social enterprise communications firm Campaign Collective.Read more
Life saving charity receives funding boost through support of social enterprise
LIVES, who provide a much needed first response service to emergencies across Lincolnshire have been awarded a grant of £15,270 from CDS Action which is the charity set up by community dental social enterprise CDS-CIC to support projects in the communities where it operates.Read more
“Together we are much more powerful than we can ever be alone” – Social Enterprise UK announces membership relaunch
Social Enterprise UK is supporting the growing number of UK start-ups by removing the member fee for smaller social enterprises, enabling them to join the largest social enterprise network in the world.Read more
Community Business weekend returns to champion the power of local people
Community Business Weekend, which is organised by Power to Change, exists to shine a light on the 7,000 community businesses across the country.Read more
Millions Available to Local Causes through Co-op Local Community Fund
Causes in Wales are being encouraged to apply for the Co-op’s local community fund when applications open on 5 March.Read more
Chelmund’s Fish and Chips - Chelmsley Wood gets its chips
A community owned chip shop? When you say it, it seems an obvious idea! Chelmsley Wood, in north Solihull, is about to have what they believe to be the country’s first community owned chippy.Read more
Unlimited Potential is in the Innovation 100!
Unlimited Potential is delighted to have been recognised as one of the 100 most innovative companies in Greater Manchester, in a report produced by BQ and the Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company.Read more
#SmashingStigma
Shropshire based social enterprise Designs in Mind, is dramatically changing how people can access support for mental health issues and together we are finding ways to live life better.Read more
USE IT – Making the Most of Mentors
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Pioneering Sustainable Bank First To Launch Crowdfunding Platform
Triodos Bank, a global pioneer of sustainable banking, has become the first bank in the UK to launch its own crowdfunding platform. The platform offers a range of crowdfunding opportunities enabling people to invest directly in equity or bonds issued by organisations delivering positive social and environmental impacts.Read more
Scotland to host Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2018: 12-14th September, Edinburgh
Social enterprises in Scotland and across the UK will welcome the international social enterprise movement to Edinburgh for the 10th Social Enterprise World Forum this year. The Forum will take place in the Edinburgh International Convention Centre from 12th-14th 2018.Read more
Lewisham Shopping Centre hosts ceremony for Circle Collective training graduates
The event celebrates achievements of young people in the area and the extension of the Circle Collective partnership. Since its inception, Circle Collective has helped more than 250 young local unemployed people into work and it is continuing to expand, enabling the organisation to support even more young people.Read more
Susie J. Verrill collaborates with social enterprise From Babies With Love on new collection
From Babie's with Love's new ‘Elephant Family' collection, which launches on March 8th 2018, has been created in collaboration with journalist, blogger, twitterer, mama and partner to Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford, Susie J Verrill.Read more
Veteran factory Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company announces director
Newly-formed Scotland’s Bravest manufacturing Company, the largest employment development specifically for Scottish veterans in decades, is pleased to announce the appointment of its inaugural director.Read more
Sumak Travel - Bringing travellers together in the name of social enterprise
Too often large tour companies looking to maximize their profits ignore or harm local people and the environment throughout the world.But what if you could travel knowing that you were contributing to generate a positive social and environmental impact on your destination?Read more
First Ark increases its social impact by 100% exceeding £22.5 million in one year
Liverpool City Region based, First Ark, is reporting an impressive year-end result for 2016/17; showing a 100% uplift in its social accounting results, delivering a staggering £22.5 million in social impact value in 2017.Read more
WildHearts Office Welcomes New Customers
WildHearts Office, the UK’s largest B2B social enterprise, were delighted to welcome new customers Wesleyan, The Telegraph, Bibby and Towergate this year. WildHearts’ involvement with Social Enterprise UK’s ‘Buy Social Corporate Challenge’ has also seen them partner with some of the UK’s largest businesses, such as Johnson and Johnson, PWC and Zurich Insurance, helping them work towards their social spending goal of £1 billion with social enterprises by 2020.Read more
Local domestic abuse survivor inspires others to break their silence and celebrate their collective achievement at Botanical Gardens sponsored ceremony with Mayor of Birmingham and HSBC
Just before Christmas, Breaking the Silence hosted their inaugural graduation ceremony for 21 ladies, all of who are survivors of domestic abuse, who completed and graduated from their 6-month ‘Building From Broken Pieces Programme’.Read more
Film star digs in to join effort against climate change
Over 85 corporate & community volunteers, including actor David Bradley, helped plant 1,000 trees as part of a collaborative effort to create a wood in the fight against climate change.Read more
AMICA HR - Exciting New Era For HR Firm
Just six weeks after relocating, a fast-growing Lincoln-based HR firm has changed its name, recruited another member of staff and expanded its services! Amica HR is the new name to watch. The former B&G HR – which moved from its old office on the Bishop Grosseteste University campus to The Think Tank in Ruston Way, Lincoln - has stepped-up a gear.Read more
CLARITY-The Soap Co. wins in the Environmental Impact Category at PwC's Building Public Trust Awards, 30th November 2017
CLARITY-The Soap Co. has won a PwC Social Entrepreneurs Club Award at the annual PwC's Building Public Trust Awards lunch on 30 November 2017.Read more
GLL’s commitment to apprenticeships celebrated at Active Training Awards
GLL – the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise was among the winners at ukactive’s Active Training Awards – scooping Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.Read more
Tottenham Community Press celebrates one year in print and crowdfunds its way to sustainability
The Tottenham Community Press is turning one and to recognise this milestone, the social enterprise newspaper invites you to join its birthday celebrations on Thursday 30th November.Read more
First Ark supports new initiative to provide support for unemployed young people
A new initiative which supports young people aged between 16 and 29 who are currently not in education, employment or training into sustainable employment has been launched in Liverpool.Read more
ChangeKitchen CIC Collect Leftover Pumpkins and Provide Vats of Soup to SIFA Homeless Centre
In the run up to Halloween, ChangeKitchen CIC declared a #PumpkinAmnesty. The response was incredible and the pupkins were used to provide food for the city's homeless.Read more
GLL’s social enterprise improving communities recognised at UK Business Awards 2017
GLL has won the award for best Social Enterprise at the UK Business Awards 2017, held on Wednesday, 22nd November at Wembley Stadium in London.Read more
David Bradley rooting for the Trees - “There's magic in them there woods”
With National Tree Planting week fast approaching, our much loved David Bradley is leaving the sets of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Doctor Who to come and support Graduate Planet CIC which is the UK’s first Social Enterprise recruitment agency with an environmental mission and the Forest of Hearts charity.Read more
City of London firms are needed to help gain momentum for the homeless support campaign
London UK social enterprise Socialbox.biz hopes to donate 1,000 laptops to homeless people and is working to raise awareness to the public and businesses via social media.Read more
Plans unveiled for Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company to employ Scottish veterans
Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, the largest employment development specifically for Scottish veterans in decades, will open at veterans’ charity Erskine’s headquarters next June, it was announced today.Read more
Better Club Games 2017: Healthy competition for the active ageing
A team from The Royal Borough of Greenwich beat almost 800 over 55-year-olds to win the 2017 Better Club Games, held at the Copper Box Arena on Friday 10th November 2017.Read more
From Babies with Love announces new partnership with Street Child
Award-winning social enterprise From Babies with Love is pleased to announce a new partnership with the international charity Street Child. Their first joint project will support some of the 32,000 unaccompanied children impacted by devastating conflict in north east Nigeria, where From Babies with Love will fund Street Child to establish three Child Friendly Spaces.Read more
Olympian Fatima Whitbread to welcome 800 over-55s at the 2017 Better Club Games in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Members of Better’s Club programmes at centres across London are preparing for competition at the 12th annual Better Club Games. On Friday, 10th November, teams comprising of over 55s from across London will be descending on the Copper Box Arena at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, for an enthralling day of competition.Read more
First public release of London’s organic sparkling wine
The award-winning, organic wine producers at Forty Hall Vineyard and their partners Capel Manor College, are celebrating the launch of their 2015 Vintage London Sparkling Brut. It is the first time that this unique social enterprise in North London has had their sparkling wine widely available to the public.Read more
HCT Group calls for a significant strengthening of the Social Value Act
A new HCT Group policy paper argues that the Act needs more ‘teeth’, that commissioning authorities should account for the steps they have taken to implement the Act and that financial thresholds before contracts must apply the Act be reduced or removed.Read more
Hackney is now officially a Social Enterprise Borough
On 1st November, the London Borough of Hackney was awarded Social Enterprise Place status by Social Enterprise UK. Its CEO, Peter Holbrook, presented the award to Mayor Philip Glanville at the Social Enterprise in the City conference at Hackney House in Shoreditch [South Hackney].Read more
Big Issue Invest supports local co-working space with a social purpose
The Big Issue’s social investment arm, Big Issue Invest, has teamed up with Connection Crew to launch Canvas in Brixton - a co-working space with a social purpose.Read more
ChangeKitchen CIC Cater for Ben & Jerry’s Launch of Vegan Ice Cream Range
In September, ChangeKitchen CIC were proud to be chosen to cater for the prestigious, ‘top secret’ UK launch of Ben & Jerry’s new vegan ice cream range.Read more
Brothers We Stand launches flagship store in Bristol
Online ethical clothing retailer Brothers We Stand has opened its first UK retail outlet in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, selling exclusively ethically-sourced men’s clothes. The flagship store is headed up by 23 year old Bristol University graduate Sam Mabley whose vision is to make ethically produced clothing accessible.Read more
Picolo launches One for One campaign
Picolo launches One for One campaign which will help them donate at least 100,000 pouches to thousands of hungry under 5s through a series of grassroots events, social campaigns, in-store outreach and PR activity.Read more
Manchester Community Transport in talks to join HCT Group
HCT Group has announced that it is in final-stage talks with fellow social enterprise bus operator Manchester Community Transport (MCT), with a view to MCT joining the Group.Read more
The Big Lemon just got bigger!
The streets of Brighton and Hove will soon be seeing lots more yellow buses as a result of decisions taken by councillors on Brighton and Hove Council.Read more
First Ark Group launches latest Social Accounts Summary
First Ark Group has launched their Social Accounts Summary which tells the story of how the role they have played has helped people change their lives for the better.Read more
Accelerate CIC appoint a new Chair
We are pleased to announce that Dr Helen Glenister has been appointed as the new Chair of Accelerate CIC Limited.Read more
HCT Group launches 2017 Social Impact Report
HCT Group - a social enterprise that reinvests the profits it makes from transport contracts back into high social impact transport services - has released their 2017 Social Impact Report.Read more
From Babies with Love wins Gold at the Junior Design Awards
From Babies with Love has won Gold for its Nautical Nesting Cubes toy at the Junior Design Awards, the most esteemed awards in family lifestyle.Read more
London's zero waste market prepares to open in Hackney
Bulk Market ® wants to bring a new way of shopping to London, where there is no surplus food to be binned and no packaging to be landfilled.Read more
Impact for Growth training open
The sign up window is now open for the next series of Impact for Growth training sessions, part of the Impact Management Programme.Read more
More Affordable Homes for Holsworthy after Second Impact Investment from Resonance
Another investment from Resonance’s Affordable Homes Rental Fund (AHRF) of £390,000 to Holsworthy Community Property Trust (HCPT) means five more affordable homes are available for local families to allow them to live in their own communities, further strengthening local networks.Read more
GLL acquires nine Fitness First gyms to grow national leisure coverage
GLL, the UK’s leading charitable leisure social enterprise, has completed the acquisition of nine Fitness First gyms, boosting the number of sports and leisure facilities it runs to over 250.Read more
Charity Bank’s loan book exceeds £100 million
Charity Bank, the ethical bank that uses savings to make loans to charities and social enterprises, today announced that its book of drawn loans has exceeded £100 million for the first time. The bank also shared details of its five most recent loans that helped it to reach this milestone.Read more
Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions CIC turns 10!
Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions CIC celebrates their 10th birthday.Read more
Investment Helps Karrek Community ‘Connect the Dots’ in Social Care Provision
Karrek Community CIC (“Karrek”) has received an investment of £50,000 from the Resonance Health & Wellbeing Challenge Fund, and impact investment fund focusing on social enterprises in the South West.Read more
Santander and Crowdfunder renew innovation partnership
Santander is renewing its innovative partnership with Crowdfunder to provide additional funding for social enterprises and community projects across the UK.Santander is renewing its innovative partnership with Crowdfunder to provide additional funding for social enterprises and community projects across the UK.Read more
Around £500,000 in grants awarded as part of NPC-led impact management programme
The NPC-led Impact Management Programme announces the eleven organisations, based across England and delivering a number of different services, that will receive almost £500,000 in grant funding through the Impact for Growth strand.Read more
Kent-based social enterprise lands multi-million pound Network Rail contract
Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), a Kent social enterprise, which directly employs British veterans and people with disabilities, has secured a multi-million pound contract with Network Rail, the UK’s largest railway owner.Read more
Social impact investment company Resonance publishes first annual social impact report for Resonance Bristol SITR Fund
Social impact investment company Resonance has published the first annual social impact report for the Resonance Bristol SITR Fund – the first impact investment Fund of its kind using Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) to build a portfolio of investments into social enterprises in the region.Read more
Queen’s Birthday Honour for Fiona Jones, Bridges Self-Management Founder and CEO
Fiona Jones, Bridges Self-Management’s Founder and CEO, has been awarded an MBE in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017.Read more
Mydex CIC on G-Cloud 9 launches diverse portfolio with discovery options
Mydex CIC is delighted to announce that our application to the ninth iteration of the UK government’s G-Cloud Platform was successful. We are excited to share our increased, diverse portfolio for those buying services through G-Cloud.Read more
A year of specialist support with Cambridge Social Ventures incubator: deadline to apply 30th June
From fashion to farming, prosthetics to prisons, Cambridge Social Ventures helps entrepreneurs at all stages grow and scale up their social impact. Their programmes are designed for people who will drive their businesses forward to create real, scaleable, lasting change.Read more
Social Enterprise, Clarity, launches new eco-foaming hand wash
New Honey Blossom Eco Foaming Hand Wash from the Social Enterprise, CLARITY, is launched into large organisations and the government to support the employment of blind, disabled and otherwise disadvantaged people.Read more
Royal Forestry Society awards Gold to local woodland social enterprise, Hill Holt Wood
Hill Holt Wood, an environmental social enterprise based in Lincoln, has been awarded the Royal Forestry Society Award of Excellence (Gold) for the Study Programme.Read more
Most people in the UK interested in making their savings and investments do good, but are holding back
New research by Ethex shows that more than half of the eligible UK population is keen to make positive investments, but a lack of knowledge, understanding and confidence in what is on offer is holding them back.Read more
Family Friendly Employer Awards 2017 Now Open!
Organised by Employers For Childcare, the annual Awards are the perfect opportunity for businesses to showcase their commitment to helping employees achieve a balance between their work and family lives. Whether it’s through the provision of Childcare Vouchers, flexi-time or even an extra day off work the Awards recognise and reward those who go above and beyond legal requirements to provide and promote family friendly working practices.Read more
InterpreterNow can help businesses attract deaf customers and recruit and retain deaf employees
The UK is a vast and diverse market. The spending power of disabled people and their families is worth £212 billion. This includes deaf people who make up 1 in 7 of the population. InterpreterNow can help your business attract thousands of deaf customers and recruit and retain talented deaf employees.Read more
FRANK Water goes single-use plastic free and launches #PledgeToRefill campaign
Safe water charity and social enterprise FRANK Water has ended all production of its bottled spring water in single-use plastic bottles. It is the first UK bottled water company to end single-use plastic bottle production and switch to 100% environmentally sustainable solutions.Read more
GLL scoops two prizes at the 2017 Sporta Awards
GLL – the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise, was among the big winners at the 2017 Sporta Awards. GLL picked up two prizes, with its Management Academy receiving the Workplace Development Award, while gymnastics coach Karen de Sa was named the winner in the Outstanding Individual Achievement category.Read more
HCT Group launches first Jersey Social Impact Report
HCT Group, the leading transport social enterprise, has released its first social impact report for its Jersey operation, LibertyBus.Read more
Purple Moon Drama - helping young people into the creative sector
Purple Moon Drama is a social enterprise that designs bespoke theatre facilitation programmes as a tool for self-development.Read more
Cafédirect aquires London Tea Company from Finlay Beverages Limited
Cafédirect plc (“Cafédirect”) has agreed, the purchase of The London Tea Company Limited (London Tea) from Finlay Beverages Limited. The acquisition of London Tea by Cafédirect adds a high quality range of 100% Fairtrade fruit, herbal and black teas, complimenting their existing portfolio of Cafédirect branded coffee, tea and hot chocolate products.Read more
GLL supports record breaking number of talented athletes to achieve sporting success
More than 2,500 talented young athletes from across the UK will benefit from a £1,400,000 fund – thanks to charitable social enterprise GLL. The athletes will be supported through the ground breaking GLL Sport Foundation (GSF), the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK.Read more
Cosmopolitan launch Home, Made campaign in collaboration with Dot Dot Dot
Cosmopolitan magazine has launched their Home, Made campaign with an exciting new initiative in collaboration with social enterprise Dot Dot Dot. It offers young women the opportunity to live in London who would otherwise face being priced out due to high rental prices.Read more
Chalkhill Community Trust Fund announces latest funding grants open
The Chalkhill Community Trust Fund is happy to announce that the latest grant funding round is now open and will be accepting new applications from organisations, community groups and individuals. The deadline for applications to be received is 5pm, 19th May 2017.Read more
Belu honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development
On Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday, Belu has announced that it has been presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. This prestigious award recognises outstanding business achievement by UK organisations.Read more
OneSqin goes live
OneSqin CIC is a new social enterprise, and the world's first business to donate 100% of profits to charities that get girls in need into life-changing education. Founded by luxury asset manager Neil Richmond FRSA and former superyacht captain Sinisa Jovic, OneSqin manufactures and sells premium quality, 100% natural skin cream and certified organic cotton tampons.Read more
First Steps in Social Enterprise for BME Women 2017
First Steps In Social Enterprise is a 12 week training & support programme for Women from minority/migrant backgrounds with a social enterprise idea or people with a social enterprise idea that is migrant/minority led or benefits a minority/migrant community.Read more
Visionary device scoops £20,000 award
An innovative device which will improve the quality of life of thousands of people with double vision has received £20,000 after winning a top award. Social Enterprise UK member the Beacon Centre and the University of Wolverhampton joined forces to offer the 2017 Beacon Visionary Challenge Award.Read more
Belu launches new impact report
On World Water Day, social enterprise Belu announce they've donated £2,200,075.46 to WaterAid transforming 146,671 lives with access to clean water and sanitation.Read more
Fair for You launch third social impact report
Fair for You launches third social impact report showing how it's providing alternatives to high cost credit. The report published by the Centre for Responsible Credit (‘CfRC’) illustrates the huge social benefits which could be achieved if Government were to widen the availability of affordable, not for profit, alternatives to high cost credit.Read more
Emily Roux collaborates with Elysia to create food-waste recipe
Talented chef Emily Roux has collaborated with food-waste start-up Elysia to create a delicious tartine, made entirely with high-quality surplus food, which would otherwise have become food waste.Read more
Campaign to get people to transfer their Cash ISA to an ethical provider
Charity Bank have launched an exciting new campaign to persuade the public to transfer their Cash ISA to an ethical provider.Read more
Jericho Foundation Announces Big Lottery Fund Grant for Modern Slavery Project
The Jericho Foundation is delighted to announce it has received £314,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, and a further £128,000 of matched funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, to support its “Labour for Change” Project to benefit the victims of modern slavery.Read more