Factsheet 3

Some ideas for social enterprise

‘Its not what you do its how you do it’ .

Social enterprises, quite simply are businesses which trade in order to fulfil social objectives rather than for private profit. Virtually anything can be run as a social enterprise so there are no limits on what kind of business it can be.

Some social enterprises are set up from the start. Others have changed to become a social enterprise after being funded by grants or trust funding. At the other end of the scale some start as a private commercial enterprise and then change.

Many projects initially funded from short term grant or trust income look to develop social enterprise as a way of ensuring they can continue in the long term. See Fact Sheet 1.

Food for thought…here are some examples

Food production

• Food co-op - Common Cause promotes environmentally sustainable development and supports the local economy by offering training, advice and networking for producers, running a Farmers’ Market and supporting local food links. See www.commoncause.org.uk or Case Study 1 - Lewes Farmers' Market

• Oestre organics - an organic producer co-operative in East of England www.eostreorganics.co.uk  

• Loch Fyne Oysters - Loch Fyne Oysters is a large scale oyster farm. It was set up as a purely commercial operation in the 70s. In 2003 it went through a change to become a trust on behalf of its employees. Its aims are to promote environmental balance, fair employment for the local community and involve them in the running of the company. www.lochfyne.com

Distribution company

Suma coop is a workers cooperative promoting ethical fairly traded and organic products www.suma.coop.uk

Village shops

Laughton village shop and Etchingham village shop, both in East Sussex, are both community owned. See Etchingham and Laughton village shop case study

Building services

Sheffield rebuild is a building service initiative www.sheffieldrebuild.co.uk 

Childrens services

Netherfield and Mountfield pre-school group provides a child care service for 2 to 4 year olds. See Netherfield Case Study

Bolton Nursery is a community enterprise established by mothers and other community members in rural Cumbria to provide a 26-place full day care nursery on the grounds of a local primary school.

Woodland management

Yorkshire Burners is a co-operative self-employed charcoal burners from the North-Yorkshire moors and surrounding areas. 

Community centres and village halls

Most village halls and community centre rent out space to pay for running costs.

Transport

Cuckmere Rambler Cuckmere community bus company was set up to provide a rambler bus service for the Cuckmere valley and surrounding area

Wensleydale railway www.wensleydalerailway.co.uk

Bluebell railway is a railway line and tourist attraction in East Sussex run mainly by volunteers www.bluebellrailway.co.uk

Gardening

Urbanlandscapes is a social firm offering landscaping and gardening services in Cardiff. www.urbanlandscapes.org.uk

Sports and leisure

The Jesse Boot Basketball and Sports Trust is a community sports venue with conference suite which generates income.

Greenwich Leisure Ltd www.gll.org.uk is also a social enterprise. 

Office cleaning

Kennington Office Cleaners – a co-operative was set up by women living on a London housing estate to benefit women living there by providing cleaning services to organisations  

Publications

Big Issue is a limited company which was set up to produce and sell a publication ‘The Big Issue’ to help street homeless people www.bigissue.com  

Recycling

Brighton and Hove Wood recycling project promotes reuse of timber through recycling of wood products. www.communitywoodrecycling.org.uk

Health and social care

SELDOC is a south east London doctors cooperative www.seldoc.co.uk