Explore Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise is a business model set up to pursue a social or environmental mission, through the trade of services and products to the public, private, consumer or third sector.
Social Enterprises' distinct role within business and the community is value in the creation of a socially inclusive and sustainable community.
BERR defines a Social Enterprise as a business ‘with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximised profit for shareholders and owners'.
Social enterprises include local community enterprises, social firms and co-operatives and cover a variety of legal models.
The Government's vision is for social enterprise to strengthen an inclusive and growing economy. As such, social enterprises can aid the delivery of some of the Government's key policy objectives through:
- Driving up productivity and competitiveness
- Contributing to socially inclusive wealth creation
- Local regeneration
- Efficient methods of delivering and reforming public services
- Contribution towards an inclusive society and active citizenship
Key Market Sectors for Social Enterprise include:-
Food and Drink - Social Enterprises in this sector can be as diverse as a
community cafe, to manufacturing or selling fair-trade or organic products, to
running a hospitality venue. To find out
more check out sites including http://www.fairtrade.org.uk and
http://www.soilassociation.org.
Retail - Social enterprise retail outlets are increasing popping up online, as well as on our streets, selling a wide range of products and services, from clothes to computers, which are either ethical in nature, or sold commercially to redistribute profit to charitable causes. Examples include the www.co-operative.coop to www.oxfam.org.uk
Creative Industries - Whether it's in media, theatre, art or design, social enterprises are utilising the arts in a range of ways, to engage and rehabilitate disaffected individuals, promote local heritage, showcase budding talent or broadcast matters that should be in the public eye. Examples include http://www.toxteth.tv and http://www.actionfactory.org
Education and Learning - Developing people's knowledge and skills is a sustained marketplace, and social enterprises are established to deliver mainstream, online, and alternative education methods to different industries and specialised audiences. Example social enterprises include www.open.ac.uk, http://www.blackburnehouse.co.uk, to our very own www.stridingout.co.uk
Transport - We are seeing an evolution of transport, as attention is turned to energy efficient transportation models, shared transport schemes and community owned transport. Find out more about the growth of the sector here www.ctauk.org and www.eta.co.uk
Leisure and Culture - Leisure and Culture is a major growth sector for social enterprise. Many public leisure centres are being managed by social enterprises, whilst social entrepreneurs are setting up alternative sport initiatives for community and education purposes. We are also seeing an increase in eco-tourism and cultural attractions to celebrate local heritage or the arts. Find out more here about the growth of the sector here http://www.sporta.org and http://www.green-business.co.uk
Health and Welfare - The government is currently placing a large emphasis on contracting with social enterprises to deliver health and welfare services, and there is major emphasis on stimulating new and supporting the growth of existing social enterprises to deliver mainstream and niche services. Find out more about the growth of the sector here http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Socialenterprise/index.htm
Environment - With the introduction of increasing legislation, attention is placed on environmental practices for waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainability. We are seeing a change in manufacturing, construction, energy and recycling processes and practices within our households, in the community and in our workplace. Find out more about the growth of the industry sector here www.crn.org.uk , www.frn.org.uk and http://www.nef.org.uk/actonCO2/renewableenergy.asp and http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/construction/sustainability/page13691.html