Social enterprises in any field!

Over the years I have had the privilege to meet some excellent models of social enterprises. I try to attend a few Social Enterprise Gatherings every year within and outside the North West to get to know new inspiring business models. As part of my campaign around “LEARNING FROM OTHERS” I would like to give you a few examples right here: 1. A Social Firm: Buster’s Coffee Co (FAIRTRADE, EMPLOYMENT) 2. An Industrial and Provident Society: Settle Hydro Ltd & Sheffield Renewables (ENERGY) 3. A Company Limited by Guarantee: Kivo-ebiz (COMMUNITY SERVICES, TRAINING) 4. A Community Interest Company: LIFE CIC (SPORTS, HEALTH, TRAINING) 5. A Charity: Greentop Circus (LEISURE, HEALTH) Buster’s Coffee Co Buster’s Coffee is a Sheffield-based Social Firm, creating employment for people who are severely disadvantaged in the labour market. They want the best for everyone – giving you great fairtrade coffee with a conscience. They will also give you everything else you need to make your ideal brew – sugar, stirrers, disposable cups. The organisation was set up in 2002 with a commitment to operate as a ‘Social Firm’. Social Firms exist to create employment and work opportunities for disabled people and people otherwise disadvantaged in the labour market. Social Firms work to a set of values oriented around enterprise, positive employment and empowerment. And it is not only Coffee they sell! Find their Tea and Chocolate range on their website and order online, next time you are organising an event. Speak to Rachel Neace. http://www.silverserviceconsultancy.co.uk/Busters/ Here are two organisations set up to produce energy with a Hydro Electric Scheme. Settle Hydro Ltd Settle Hydro was established as an ‘Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community’ with the specific purpose of owning the Settle Weir Hydro Electric Scheme. The Society will generate revenue by selling ‘green’ hydro-electricity. Any surplus revenue will be used by the Society to benefit the local community through its twin aims of regenerating the local economy and promoting the environmental sustainability of Settle District. The scheme is fully operational and the forecast is that it will generate an average of 150,000kWh (units) of electricity per year. The organisation has recently produced an Invitation to Invest. Investing in Settle Hydro Ltd should be seen as a social investment and not a financial investment. Your money will fund a public-spirited organisation. For more information, contact Ann Harding at www.settlehydro.org.uk And Sheffield Renewables Sheffield Renewables is a social enterprise legally incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community (IPS BenCom). This status enables them to finance their work by selling shares, primarily to people and businesses within Sheffield. Sheffield Renewables was formed by a group of volunteers in late 2007 who are committed to improving Sheffield’s environmental sustainability. The organisation aims to fund, develop, own and operate renewable energy schemes in a way which brings benefits to both the city and its people. Have a look at the “Structure” section of their website for a good model of how you can develop an effective management team and governance model. For more information, or join the mailing list, www.sheffieldrenewables.org.uk My interest in those two schemes is that I am working on a similar project that has a transnational aspect. Kivo-Ebiz The charitable way to sell your unwanted goods using EBAY . Kivo-ebiz sells goods for individuals and businesses in the local community usually on EBAY. This Company Limited by Guarantee set up in 2008 provides numerous activities that help to improve the lives of local residents. Projects such as sports activities for young people, a community newsletter, restoring a community garden, training and “ways to work” programmes etc. All profit goes to the local charity – Kiveton Park & Wales Community Development Trust. In the first 6 weeks of 2009 Kivo-ebiz sold over £5,000 of goods – the highest single item being an Omega watch selling for £1,725.00. Why is it on my list of Social Enterprises to learn from? Because it is a unique model of enterprise that is able to merge commercial trading with strong community objectives. I admire their commercial sense. As well as traditional unwanted goods, the organisation works with local businesses, re-using their own packaging to sells their discontinued range of goods. Interested in becoming an Ebiz projects in your own community? Contact Stephanie Hryschko www.kivo-ebiz.co.uk LIFE CIC Leisure Instruction Fitness Education (LIFE) CIC is a training provider based in Doncaster. Life CIC exist to make a positive difference to communities by delivering a wide range of workshops that encourages young people to participate in health enhancing activities. As a Community Interest Company, the organisation reinvests its profits into providing services for local communities and works with multiple agencies, including the NHS, the Voluntary Sector, Schools, Public authorities, etc. Another good example of quality support brought into schools that mixes sport, leisure, fun and health. For more information on LIFE CIC www.lifecic.com Greentop Circus Greentop is a Charity and Social Enterprise delivering services to businesses, third sector organisations and the general public. They are about transforming life using circus arts and performance. They may help you with team building, event management and of course pure entertainment. The organisation has been going for 20 years. They are partially funded by the Arts Council of England but also generate commercial income from their entertainment agency and multiple services. Greentop is managed by a small but dedicated team. For more information and to book your next Entertainment package or your Team building event think Greentop and contact James Harkness. Greentop, A Social Enterprise with a circus twist. http://www.greentop.org I hope you will enjoy reading about each of those social enterprises and will feel a little bit inspired for your own project. If you need support in setting up a social enterprise, you may wish to join the SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LAUNCHPAD. This is our Online package of support for aspiring social enterprises. It comprises practical learning with actions and online coaching, a step by step approach, from developing your idea to testing it and setting it up legally. For more information: http://www.singulier.co.uk/training-courses/