Member updates GLL celebrates Social Enterprise Day with launch of new business support programme On Thursday 20 November leading social enterprise business GLL hosted an event in Woolwich, South East London to celebrate Social Enterprise Day 2025. Entitled ‘How to Start and Grow a Resilient Business’ a highlight of the day was an expert panel discussion, with panellists drawn from the Social Enterprise sector including: Peter Bundey, GLL CEO, Peter Holbrook, Social Enterprise UK CEO, Sophi Tranchell, Founder Divine Chocolate, Cemal Ezel Co-CEO Change Please and Timi Jibogu, Founder Endz Group. The panellists shared their knowledge and insights on issues such as how to set up a social business, how to build resilience in uncertain times and how to grow impact and reach while staying true to a founding purpose and community roots. Sophi Tranchell, Founder Divine Chocolate offered three pieces of advice for people looking to start their own social enterprise: Articulate your mission so that everyone knows what you’re doing and what you’re not doing. Pick your partners carefully – they need to share your mission and your successes and decide where your money goes before you’ve got it. The free event was aimed at small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and sector representatives, with attendees able to meet with GLL’s procurement team and take part in a networking lunch. GLL also took the opportunity to launch its new Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme. The Programme has been established as a resource to support the growth of social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations across the UK. It brings together GLL’s support for social businesses, comprising procurement partnerships, start-up support and service delivery, under one clear banner. Underpinning the Programme is an online Accelerator Hub where, in addition to information on how to partner with GLL as a business supplier or service partner, there is practical advice and inspiring small business case-studies, along with tools, resources and signposting. Commenting on the event, Peter Bundey GLL CEO said: “As one of the UK’s largest and most successful Social Enterprise businesses we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with the sector and are committed helping small and growing social businesses succeed. “Our panellists shared some fascinating insights and learnings, which I’m sure will be of huge benefit to the small firms and entrepreneurs who joined our event today. While our new online Accelerator Programme hub, provides an essential resource for anyone wishing to establish a social business.” Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK concluded: "Social businesses are often the ideal partners for public service delivery given their social purpose, staff ownership and accountability. Unlike companies with shareholders to pay, social enterprises exist to reinvest surpluses in local communities.” For more information on GLL’s new Accelerator Programme visit: https://www.gll.org/services-and-impact/business-support 21 Nov Continue reading 2 min
News and views Get ready for Social Enterprise Day 2025 on 20 November! Social Enterprise Day 2025 is coming up on 20 November! It's a global day created to raise the profile of the social enterprise movement and show the transformative impact it is having across the world. It's a great chance for you to share your stories, learn more about your fellow social enterprises, and feel part of this community, which is changing lives on pretty much every continent! Take part in our campaign We know that social enterprises are changing the way business is done, but not enough people do! This needs to change, and this year we've come up with a fun, creative social media campaign to give you the chance to showcase what it is that makes social enterprises so special, and how they are vital to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. How to get involved on 20 November We've created an editable social media video graphic on Canva, which not only sets out the definition of a social enterprise (in emoji form!) but also gives you space to talk about what you do in a creative and engaging way. CLICK HERE TO EDIT AND DOWNLOAD YOUR CAMPAIGN GRAPHIC All you need to do is click on the above link and edit the final text block to talk about what you do and your impact! Just enter a short bit of text into the last box on the image to explain what impact your social enterprise creates. You can then download it as a video.For the body of your post, you could say something along the lines of:We're a proud social enterprise and today is #SocialEnterpriseDay - a moment to raise awareness and celebrate the amazing work carried out by these businesses around the world, including [insert company name]. But what is a social enterprise?...If you've not yet got a Business Canva account, and don't want to pay for one, you can use a personal email address to access the editable file for free.Alternatively, you can use this image instead, which isn't editable but sets out what a social enterprise is! (you can of course talk about your impact in the body of your post.)It's a simple action, but if we get enough organisations posting, we'll show the huge diversity of social enterprises in the UK, the problems they're tackling, and the solutions they are bringing! When to post What's crucial to make this campaign as impactful as possible is that we all post at the same time on Social Enterprise Day. Share your post at 10am on your social media channels such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebookand be sure to like and comment on those of friends and colleagues in the sector! Do let us know if you've any Social Enterprise Day plans. Use #SocialEnterpriseDay and let's take over social media with our positive stories of impact, community, and a better way of doing business.If you've any questions about getting involved, please email internalcommunications@socialenterprise.org.uk.We can't wait to see your posts! 06 Nov Continue reading 3 min
Mission Critical – State of Social Enterprise Survey 2023 The State of Social Enterprise is our flagship research into the key trends and issues affecting our business movement. Titled 'Mission Critical', the report shows a growing sector that is not only profitable and productive but truly pioneering. We estimate that there are 131,000 social enterprises across the country, representing almost one in 42 of all UK businesses – and we find they are not only helping people and planet but also boosting our economy, turning over around £78 billion and re-investing £1 billion in profit into their vital missions. Looking in depth at what it means to be a social enterprise today, overall the report shows a movement creating huge impact despite complex challenges. You can also download the executive summary containing the report's key findings and statistics using the link below: Report View 1 min
Buy Social Corporate Challenge – Year 6 Impact Report Launched in 2016, the Buy Social Corporate Challenge was set up to encourage corporates to use their everyday procurement spend to create positive social and environmental impact. Starting with seven founding partners the programme has grown to include 30 large businesses ranging from pharmaceuticals to finance. The Year 6 Report looks back at the impact of this programme which has now seen £255 million collectively spent with social enterprise suppliers by Buy Social Corporate Challenge Partners. Report View 1 min