Impact of Social Enterprises
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Local DIY Space for London
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This is a particularly modern and local example of Social enterprising. Due to its DIY Nature, I am finding it hard to find any mention of anything other than it being a ‘co-op’ based organisation, which is stated alongside the DIY Space name in basically every interview. This research is based on the impact such a space has had on musicians and music fans alike in an area of london which is pretty desperate for creative space.
! http://diyspaceforlondon.org/ ! About DIY Space for London: !
‘DIY Space For London is a cooperatively-run social centre located in South London, just off Old Kent Road. During the day, we offer low cost creative facilities, meeting rooms and social space, and in the evening we offer space for screenings, talks and performances. Our in-house record shop Tome Records is open daily, and Joey’s Kitchen our plant-based cafe serving coffees cakes and lunch is open at the weekend. We run on a members’ club model so that everyone has equal say in how the place is run. The space works to promote the ideas of mutual aid (helping each other) and cooperation (working together). Providing a welcoming space for everyone, including those whose voices and contributions are not always heard or appreciated, is a top priority for us. We began fundraising in 2012 and raised over £20,000 in donations from all around the world. In Spring 2015 we took on a 3,300sq. foot building in SE15 and renovated it to a fully accessible and safe standard thanks to hundreds of hours of volunteer labour. We opened on 14th September 2015. To attend or put on events, you need to be a member, which costs £2 a year and can be done in a few minutes online. Members have a say in how the club is run, and there are also lots of opportunities to get involved in the day-to-day running of DSFL by joining a collective, where you’ll get a say in how the space runs and receive training in new skills.’
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Interview with Bryony Beynon - co-founder of DSFL
http://www.huckmagazine.com/perspectives/activism-2/why-i-do-what-i-do-activism-2/diy-spacefor-london/
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How do you hope it will have an impact?
When temporary spaces are evicted, all the energy and ideas tend to drain away, but this space will be long-term and legal. Having a safe, legal and accessible place for gigs, rehearsals, meetings, exhibitions, socialising and a lot more that is not run for anyone’s personal profit would have a huge impact on how people view their involvement in DIY and radical communities. Hiring space for events, gigs, and exhibitions is stupidly expensive in this city. It’d allow people to connect in the real world, get more involved with different projects, bands, activist campaigns etc., and generally feel less isolated. By being member-run we will be taking collective responsibility of a building, which is a super empowering thing for anyone to be involved with.’
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Chris - member of DSFL “We chose the co-op model because of how important internal democracy is to the project as a whole. Since incorporating as a co-op, our members’ club has grown and now has over 3,800 members. The co-op model allows us to deal with the serious legal and administrative requirements of the space in a formal manner whilst a series of members’ collectives co-operatively look after the day to day running of the space and project.’ http://www.thenews.coop/103649/news/co-operatives/diy-space-for-london-looks-for-funds-tosupport-creative-hub/
! Reviews of DIY Space for London: !
! https://joyzineuk.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/live-review-joanna-gruesome-frau-at-diy-space-forlondon/ ‘Run by a cooperative and incorporating a record store and cafe plus meeting and creative spaces, DIY Space for London has a genuine underground vibe that goes beyond the industrial surroundings and stands it out from most venues on the London circuit.’
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http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/30748/1/how-can-we-save-london-s-club-scene
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