Help Others Along the Way
Want to help others as well as make a profit?
Want to do something for YOUR community?
If so, Social Enterprises are all about helping others as well as making a profit. They are real businesses operating in the commercial world. But, they have that extra something that provides social benefits.
The Day Chocolate Company for example, produces a range of chocolate products using fair trade chocolate from Ghana bought directly from the cocoa growers.
"schools can offer amazing opportunities to create social enterprises"
Other companies sell their products and services at an affordable cost to community groups who can't afford to pay full price. A good example of this is Green-Works, a country-wide social enterprise that sells second-hand refurbished office furniture to schools, charities, community groups and start-up businesses.
Some social enterprises employ people who might not otherwise get the opportunity to work or who have special work place needs. A great example of this is Jamie Oliver's restaurant 'Fifteen' where unemployed young people get the chance to train to become top chefs. Another well-known example is The Big Issue which is a news and current affairs magazine that is sold by homeless people to support homeless people.
Because of their nature, social enterprises also tend to be very environmentally aware. Some ensure they operate in the most environmentally friendly manner possible and others directly work towards improving the environment.
Fifteen, Green-Works and The Big Issue are examples of well known social enterprises but most are small scale organisations with 2 or 3 employees focusing on specific needs in their local community. Schools with their resources and facilities can also offer amazing opportunities to create social enterprises.
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