Lorna Turner, partner at The Fruit Tree for Business LLP and one of the founders of ESSENCE, explains why Social Enterprise Day is an opportunity to celebrate Exeter's blossoming not-for-profit sector
Many people still don't know or aren't sure of what a social enterprise is. Social Enterprise Day, on Thursday, November 21, is part of Global Entrepreneurship week and gives the chance to raise the awareness and celebrate the great social enterprises in our area.
Social enterprise is a way of doing business. Like all good businesses they create jobs and growth through the products and services they sell and to succeed they need to do this really well, just like any other business.
The difference is that social enterprises exist for some form of 'social purpose'; they trade in a way that will benefit 'people or planet' and they reinvest the majority of their profits to support that 'social purpose'.
The Eden Project, Jamie Oliver's 'Fifteen' restaurants, Divine Chocolate and The Big Issue are all internationally celebrated iconic social enterprise brands.
In Exeter and across Devon, we have many social enterprises that are thriving businesses having a really positive social impact but people simply aren't aware that they are a social enterprise. So if you are in Exeter near the bus station, pop into the Real Food Café; for your office recycling, there's Paperchain; try out classes and activities at The Hub on the Green; hire a car through Co-Cars; or when you need your hearing checked visit CHIME at the RD&E; and so the list goes on.
There are 68,000 social enterprises across the UK contributing £24 billion to the economy. They operate in almost all industry sectors; agriculture, construction, transport, healthcare, arts, tourism, IT and in producing ethical goods like chocolate, coffee and water.
Exeter has a thriving local social enterprise and co-operative network, ESSENCE, which has recently joined Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Membership is open to social enterprises, co-operatives and social businesses.
There are regular meetings covering a range of inspiring and interesting speakers plus networking opportunities. In addition, membership includes membership of the chamber and therefore members can attend a host of other networking lunches, and have the benefit of marketing opportunities to all chamber members through the news releases, website and social media.
ESSENCE are delighted to be joining the Chamber. It recognises the important role that social enterprises and co-operatives play in the local business economy.
Social enterprises can make a hugely positive difference to the world. It's important that existing and would-be social entrepreneurs have the support to create and build on their ideas and Exeter City Council is funding business advice specifically for social enterprises as part of the Exeter Business Support scheme.
Social entrepreneurs can have free one-to-one advice to help develop their business idea. If you have an idea that you would like to discuss, contact me by emailing lorna@thefruit-tree.co.uk.
Exeter – a socially enterprising city.
