What is Social Enterprise???
Mention the term “social enterprise” and you will often observe looks of bewilderment and the scratching of heads. It is often on the lips of politicians when talking about the regeneration of communities and the delivery of services, and yet many people simply are unaware of exactly what is meant by the phrase. As such I thought it would be a good idea to attempt to demystify the term and provide an explanation of what a social enterprise is.
In essence the concept of social enterprise is a simple one. Whereas for some businesses, owner profits and shareholder value are the top priorities, for social enterprises, long-term benefits to employees, consumers and the local community are the major consideration. As well as their social aims, they are distinguished by their participatory ownership and management structure, and by the way they reinvest profits in the business or the community.
Social Enterprises can:
• provide a means for individuals and communities to improve their local neighbourhoods
• develop the skills and talents of local people
• bring excluded groups into the labour market
• create wealth and jobs
• deliver value-for-money services in a wide range of sectors
• promote active citizenship
In an age of diminishing grant availability and a changing public sector, Social Enterprises have an increasingly significant role to play in the communities they serve, by creating jobs, enriching local economies, and unleashing entrepreneurial talent in both urban and rural areas. The role they play in the national economy is also significant, as according to figures from the Government's Annual Small Business Survey 2005 there are at least 55,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of £27billion per year! Well known social enterprises include The Co-operative Group, The Big Issue, The Eden Project and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, but there are many other social enterprises operating in a wide range of industries from farmers markets and recycling companies to transport providers and social care.
Getting started as a Social Enterprise
You may have an idea for a Social Enterprise that can benefit your community but you may be unsure about which steps to take to get the idea off the ground. Well, the good news is that there are organisations that can help you by providing information and advice on funding, planning, and all the other facets of starting a successful business. Below are links to some of these organisations and how they can help you. Good luck!
SEEM is a key resource for social enterprises and those interested in social enterprise in the East Midlands. Their site is intended to be a one-stop site for all information on social enterprise in the region. Among the pages you will find information on business support, funding, jobs in the sector and news and events.
Co-operative and Social Enterprise Development Agency (CaSE-da) can help you with planning your business. Their service is tailored to be relevant to each client’s needs, taking into account different levels of business experience, cultural and language differences.
Leicester CAN is the regional arm of the national Community Action Network (CAN) and have a range of training and development programmes and events. Leicester CAN are particularly interested in working with young entrepreneurs within disadvantaged communities focusing on delivering practical training, one-to-one business advice and creating links with business.
UnLtd's Millennium Awards provide practical and financial support to social entrepreneurs in the UK; people with vision, passion, drive and commitment, who want to change the world for the better.
UnLtd currently offers two levels of award:
Level 1: Awards of between £500 and £5,000 (expected average of £2,000)
Level 2: Awards of between £10,000 and £20,000 (expected average of £15,000)