InTouch Issue 1

November/December 2003 • Issue 1

Inside: Local and national policy

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Keeping you up-to-date with the social policy of our time and how it affects what is happening in the field.

Welcome to InTouch

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Editor David Lloyd sets out his vision of how InTouch can promote communication and growth in the social economy in the Eastern Region.

Feature enterprise

InTouch SOCIAL ENTERPRISE EAST OF ENGLAND

Introducing the SSEER Project

by Jo Ransom & David Lloyd

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Kings Lynn

Trainee Journalist Sarah Charters visits Daily Bread, a workers co-operative in Cambridge that employs people with mental health issues.

Initiatives

Norwich Great Yarmouth Peterborough

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A report on the awarding of the Adventure Capital Fund, and a review of the recent Nearbuyou social enterprise exhibition in Norwich

Focus on...

Bury St Edmunds

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Cambridge

In this issue we focus on Cambridge.

Trainee Journalist Andrew Saul visits several social enterprises to see how they do things.

Networks unlimited...

Bedford Ipswich Felixstowe

Luton

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News from across the six counties, and your opportunity to tell us what you are doing.

Watford

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Internet: SSEERs Web partner services are at: http://www.nearbuyou.org http://www.socialenterprise-east.org.uk

Chelmsford

he SSEER project was developed as a result of a successful Equal bid submitted as a collaboration of wide ranging regional partners during the summer of 2001. SSEER is an acronym for “Supporting the Social Economy in the Eastern Region” and was born out of an urgent need to call the project something.

The launch of InTouch is one of the first stages of moving the project into a focused phase, the aim of which is to create a sustainable structure to support social enterprise.

The SSEER partnership and project is led by Business Link Hertfordshire and this strong partnership includes all the Business Links in the region, a number of local authorities, SBS, EEDA, East of England Mutual & Co-operative Council, The Guild, COVER, individual SEOs, as well as intermediary bodies.

They are working together to achieve a

number of key aims: • contribute to and develop diversity in the social economy • create new financial models both in and for the sector • create business support mechanisms including those offered by the mainstream agencies such as the Business Links • create new trading mechanisms such as supply line trading and affinity buying (an example of which is the Nearbuyou website — www.nearbuyou.co.uk) • raise the awareness and profile of the social economy in the region • develop a single web-based point of entry in the region

Improving trading opportunities Trading mechanisms specifically aimed at social economy organisations (SEOs) are being developed or made ➜ page 2

Local and national policy A unique contribution

➜ cover accessible,

with emphasis particularly on finance, business support and networking. An innovative knowledge framework is under development, particularly via the SSEER website, to encourage a consistent perception of identity within the sector. Trading opportunities with contract and procurement professionals in the public and private sector are particularly being sought via the associated website, nearbuyou. Nearbuyou is also in the process of developing a social enterprise network via a sign-up section on its site.

Patchy access to finance and support There is a proven need for improving the infrastructure. Regional research conducted by one of SSEER’s partners, The Guild (Norwich), identified that access to finance in the social economy is patchy, particularly for women, minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities. There is a lack of business support to enable SEOs to develop and compete, so the aim of SSEER is to therefore support SEOs as a key presence in sustainable local communities, focusing on social, economic and environmental needs.

The unique contribution of local groups experienced in userled service delivery and their influence on the management of the project has focussed partners on equal opportunities as a key principle. Much of the activity is also designed to alleviate the negative impact of current service provision. Equal opportunities is embedded in the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of SSEER. The partners’ objectives are reinforced by transnational activity which will allow SSEER to expand its expertise and know-how, pilot and benchmark new products and services, share best practice, and work on comparative delivery models. Partners will also support activity to help beneficiaries to make informed choices and influence change, and will focus on confidence building and empowerment. Equally, the training of mainstream business advisers about the core values of social enterprises will underpin the work of the partners.

The most important and lasting development will be of a regional infrastructure for the social economy, namely SEEE (Social Enterprise East of England) built upon a foundation of mutual activity — one of the underpinning principles of the social economy.

Publicising the Social Enterprise Success Story

by Peter Durrant

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t was a huge step forward when minister Patricia Hewitt originally published her radical discussion paper Social Enterprise: a strategy for success via the DTI in July of last year. Although disappointingly little has happened since, there are a number of developments which, in a general sense, possibly indicate the way forward.

Names to Watch Nationally, these include the important Social Enterprise Coalition on www.socialenterprise.org.uk which was established in July 2002 to provide a coordinated voice for social enterprise and enable stakeholders to work together to develop the sector.

It grew out of the recognition that although social enterprise is a rapidly growing and exciting sector of the community, it has hitherto been fragmented and disorganised, in spite of its enormous potential. ESF finance, as well as enabling the SSEER project, has also underwritten research by the New Economic Foundation, Community Action Network and others.

Work by DTA, a study backed by both the Government Office East and EEDA, assessed the case for establishing a support service for a range of local partnerships. The aim is to help them to develop as long-term vehicles for community regeneration and renewal in the East of England. More information from nboldero@lineout.net.

Growing Publishing Communication An encouraging sign that perhaps the social economy really is coming of age is the rapidly increasing number of periodicals. The new weekly publication Social Enterprise, available from subs@socialenterprisemag.co.uk, is an authoritative magazine about who’s working in the field. It also

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courageously dares to speculate how government in these uncertain times might be thinking ahead. New Start is published from the same stable – more information from subs@newstartmag.co.uk. New Start has put its money where its mouth is by moving to Sheffield and rebuilding a run-down chapel for both commercial and community use. Scotland is An encouraging firmly in view where John Pearce, is author of the indicator of the health recently published and not to be missed Social of the social economy the increased Enterprises in Any Town. He and his colleagues have is number of associated been working for years through New Sector. For publicatins information contact office@newsector.co.uk.

Finally, Radical Economics, contact www.neweconomics.org, has for some time provided sound back-up information about social and community enterprises, http://www.nearbuyou.org especially local trading and http://www.socialenterprise-east.org.uk time banks.

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Social Enterprise – A Strategy for Success?

Most of us are aware of the DTI’s important discussion paper published in July last year – Social Enterprise – A Strategy for Success – with introductions from both Patricia Hewitt and the Prime Minister. But the odd thing is that the discussion seems to have stalled, with many media commentators seeming to have barely noticed its existence.

This is a tragedy because this seminal paper, exceptionally for a central government document, sums up both where the Social Enterprise tradition is at and provides numerous examples of successful ventures.

The £86 million Cornwall Eden Project, cited in this document, is a convincing example of what trading for a social purpose means. Other great examples are showcased, such as Aspire, Bulky Bob’s, Reclaim, The Arts Factory.

It is worth letting people know that the discussion paper is still alive and well, available free from the DTI on their web-site www.dti.gov.uk/socialenterprise It might, unusually, prove to be an historical document of note; a radical foundation from which, locally, we can develop a regional dialogue.

Editorial David Lloyd is joint managing director of Business for People in Huntingdon, and editor and contributor to various publications

InTouch SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN THE EASTERN REGION November/December 2003 Issue 1 InTouch is published for SSEER

by Business for People Ltd in partnership with CreativeTouch 4 Archer’s Court Stukeley Road Huntingdon PE29 6XG 01480 455200 Jo Ransom

Project Co-ordinator: Elaine McCorriston Web Managers:

Lin Evens Michael Waring

Editorial Staff: Editor: Content Editor:

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elcome to InTouch, the newsletter of and about the Social Economy in the East of England, published by the SSEER project. An overview of SSEER and its aims is featured in this issue—see article Introducing the SSEER Project.

A principle aim of InTouch, as its name might suggest, is to be a communications vehicle for and about the social economy in the eastern region. This involves not only bringing together information and news, but the wider picture encompassing key players, organisations and events that are shaping the future of social enterprise.

Defining, and Identifying, Social Enterprises

SSEER Staff: Project Manager:

From the Editor

David Lloyd Peter Durrant

Assistant Editors:

Sarah Charters Andrew Saul

Advertising Sales:

Joe Law

Creative/Production Editor: Austin Bambrook Please send PR materials to: Peter Durrant on 01223 262759 or send an email to humberstone@pop3.poptel.org.uk

CreativeTouch The editorial opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers or of Hertfordshire Business Link, Business for People Ltd or Creative Touch. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an information retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publishers. This publication has been prepared using information provided by contributors and, while we make every effort, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

SSEER is unable to accept any liability for the consequences of any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in this publication. No representations, warranties or endorsements of any kind are intended.

An interesting, and sometimes perplexing, challenge is to identify the types of organisations that might be considered as a part of the social economy! Social enterprises are not as easy to identify or classify as, for example, the ubiquitous SMEs, and not all organisations that might be called “social enterprises” or “social firms” actually recognise themselves as such.

One short definition of a social enterprise that I have found very helpful is “organisations that trade for a social purpose”. A somewhat fuller definition is “organisations that are independent from the state and provide services, goods, trade for a social purpose and are non-profit distributing” (HM Treasury, 1999).

The report to the DTI Small Business Service, Researching Social Enterprise, 2001, lists no less than 17 types of social enterprises, including social firms, various cooperatives, trusts, intermediate labour market projects, community organisations, credit unions, mutual insurers, friendly societies, building societies, charitable trading arms and LET schemes.

It’s necessary to discuss definitions, but far more interesting to actually see what is being achieved. Some interesting stories about social enterprises in Cambridge are included in this issue. We intend to bring stories about other worthwhile undertakings in the other eastern counties in future issues, with the Norwich area as our next “Focus on” location.

Wider Relationships But in addition to organisations defined in various ways as part of the social economy, there is the even broader cross-section of interested organisations and individuals who assist, enable, trade with and benefit from social enterprises.

So InTouch is intended to engage all of those whom we might loosely describe as stake-holders in the social economy in the East of England. In sending InTouch to you, we hope we have correctly identified an interested party. But, given the challenge of engaging in and with the social economy, we’d like to make two requests. First, if you have no interest, accept our apologies and let us know. Secondly, please recommend InTouch to others who you think might find it interesting and useful. It’s free and is itself a project with a social purpose. A number of the articles in this issue have been written by Sarah Charters and Andrew Saul, who are talented beneficiaries of an imaginative multi-media on-job training project initiated by Business for People and now run by Creative Touch under its director Austin Bambrook, who is also InTouch creative/production editor. Other beneficiaries have been involved in other ways.

Talk to Us, Talk About Us The philosopher Francis Bacon said, in an oft-misquoted statement, “information itself is power”. The purpose of SSEER is to help build a regional infrastructure for the social economy in the East of England. And in mainstreaming business support for social economy organisations (SEOs), effective communication and sharing of information will be vital. InTouch is intended to initiate and facilitate the interchange by providing news and views. Let’s have yours! And let others know about us.

© SSEER October 2003

InTouch

NO 1 November/December 2003

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Local and national policy Government to launch new company form –

Community Interest Company

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he newly proposed Community Interest Company (CIC) has received widespread support, according to a new Government report published in October.

The CIC will be a new company form designed specifically for enterprises that use their profits and assets for the benefit of the local community or the wider public. They will combine entrepreneurial spirit with a sense of social purpose to deliver new opportunities and services where they are most needed.

The Government received over 130 responses to its consultation, proposing the CIC model. As well as strong support for the overall concept of CICs, specific comments included: • Prospective CICs should be subject to an objective, transparent and wide-ranging eligibility test, the ‘community interest test’ • CICs should produce annual reports on actions they have taken to pursue their social or community objectives and to involve stakeholders • Once a CIC is registered, a new independent regulator would need to approve any proposals for changes to its objects • Political parties and campaign organisations should be excluded from becoming CICs • Subject to suitable controls, CICs should be allowed to transfer assets to other suitable organisations • CICs should be able to issue tradable fixed or capped rate shares in a way which will allow access to investment, without undermining their focus on community benefit; and • – dividends on those shares should be capped by the new CIC regulator Publishing the report Jacqui Smith, Company Law Minister, confirmed that the government will press ahead with legislation to create Community Interest Companies as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Jacqui Smith said “the level of support and enthusiasm for the concept of the new Community Interest Company has been extremely encouraging. I am very grateful to everyone who took the time to give such detailed, considered responses to our consultation. This new company form will provide a platform for dynamic and sustainable businesses with strong social objectives. CICs will play an important role in creating opportunity for all and a strong, inclusive economy. The sooner we can make this happen the better”.

Fiona Mactaggart, Minister for Race Equality, Community Policy, and Civil Renewal said: “Community Interest Companies (CICs) are an excellent example of how the government can help communities to help themselves. CICs offer a radically new way for organisations to pursue enterprise in the public interest, dedicating their

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profits to the public good, and creating real opportunities for people in areas where they are needed most.

“We need to forge a new relationship between state and citizen, recognising not just that the state cannot do everything but that it should not do everything. CICs will support this process of civil renewal. After all, local communities know better than anyone the problems that matter to them and have the energy, creativity and motivation to tackle them.”

John Healey, Economic Secretary to the Treasury said: “Enterprises with social aims help unlock the Further Information entrepreneurial flair of the 1. The concept of the Community Interest public-spirited, and Community Company (CIC) was originally outlined in Interest Companies will enable the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit report “Private Action, Public Benefit”, social entrepreneurs to attract published in September 2002. investment from new sources.

2. The DTI, in association with Home Office This new type of social and HM Treasury launched the consultation paper “Enterprise for company can benefit the Communities: Proposals for a communities in which they Community Interest Company” on 26th operate and contribute to the March 2003.

3. The consultation paper and the report Government’s wider aim of on the results of the consultation can be prosperity for all.” found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/cics Stuart Etherington, Chief 4. The Government’s social enterprise strategy defines a social enterprise as a Executive, National Council for business with primarily social objectives Voluntary Organisations whose surpluses are principally (NCVO), said “the CIC fills a gap reinvested for that purpose in the in the range of legal forms that business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to are currently available. It will maximise profit for shareholders and combine the well-understood owners. company model with a test of “Social Enterprise: a strategy for success” can be found at community benefit and a http://www.dti.gov.uk/socialenterprise simple and transparent Department of Trade and Industry, mechanism to lock profits into 7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London. SW1H 0ET. the company. As such the CIC Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000 will be a useful tool for many Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those organisations undertaking with hearing impairment) www.dti.gov.uk social enterprise activities”.

Feature enterprise: Daily Bread

Daily Bread rises to the challenge

by Sarah Charters

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n the corner of an industrial estate in the city of Cambridge, a co-operative business is thriving. The unassuming exterior gives little clue as to the hub of activity within its walls, yet as you enter, it’s like walking into an Aladdin’s cave.

With a warehouse, packing room, office, shop and even a café serving fresh teas, coffee and cakes, it’s a welcoming sight.

Yet not many people have ever heard of Daily Bread.

Correcting injustice Originally set up in Northampton in 1980, the inspiration for this enterprise came from a group of nine Christians, who wanted to extend their philosophy of sharing and mutual support by bringing it into the workplace. Actively involved in the correction of injustices in society through the practice and promotion of equality, Daily Bread believes that the source of all prejudices can be traced to an unequal valuing of people, often promoted through hierarchical systems such as traditional business structures.

This enterprise demonstrates this does not need to be so. As a co-operative, there are no formal management structures and everyone is equal and encouraged to be as fully involved as they feel able.

Daily Bread is currently based in this rented industrial unit although it is working towards buying its own building for added security

Ethical products This determination to address such bias is what inspires Daily Bread to source all of its products as ethically as possible, doing everything possible to stock goods which carry the Fair Trade mark or which have guarantees from suppliers stating they are not involved in exploitation of workers, ➜ page 12

Taking it in turns – The co-operative structure of the business means that all staff are equally responsible for all aspects of the business.

humberstone networkers Humberstone is concerned with identifying, enabling and supporting social firms, social enterprises, credit union and other co-operatives and community businesses working with disadvantaged people. We specialise in feasibility studies, action-research and organisational theory and analysis. As well as the Phone Co-op, Equi-power and Rainbow Savers Anglia Credit Union Ltd. Come and join us now…

Peter Durrant – co-ordinator. humberstone networkers 5 kentings • comberton cambridge • cb3 7dt 01223 262759 or e-mail humberstone@pop3.poptel.org.uk InTouch

NO 1 November/December 2003

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Initiatives Adventure capital fund development bursaries in the East of England

by Nigel Boldero

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EDA has committed up to £120,000 funding toward the award of development bursaries for community enterprises during 2003/04. These were recommended by a regional panel made up of representatives of EEDA, Scarman Trust, Business Link, COVER and the DTA. The awards are supplemented by additional central funding to provide five days work of a “supporter” for each organisation, whose role is to help them make best use of the award and to give more general advice and help with business strategy. At the time of writing the supporters are being identified. A summary of the eight awards is set out below.

Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust, March, Cambridgeshire FACET is well-established in a former County Council Training Centre on a local industrial estate from where it provides training and employment for people with disabilities.

Services offered include manufacture of furniture and other items from wood and their latest venture, horticulture. Having had some success with securing contracts for provision of plants and landscaping services to local councils and businesses, the Centre now needs strategic business advice about growing its two main businesses, taking forward plans to acquire their premises from the County Council and securing and investing funds to upgrade and develop these.

St. Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire This residential and training centre for people with epilepsy and other special needs was originally established by a convent around a hundred years ago. The Centre is embracing the need to change and to develop new forms of training, employment and other developmental opportunities for its residents, both on and off its large site. A successful furniture recycling business in nearby Bishops Stortford is being joined on-site by an arts workshop and the latest plans involve a horticultural business.

Specific development support for this project and associated business planning and advice will be the focus of their bursary.

Fledglings, Ickleton, Cambridgeshire EEDA Board member Roger Ali presenting certificates to the ACF Grant winners. The eight winners are now using their grants and an evaluation is expected next Spring.

Great Yarmouth Community Trust, Norfolk This recently established development trust is making a transition from a Sure Start partnership into a broader-based organisation working in one of the most disadvantaged areas, nationally and regionally. Having recently acquired a former school building and currently involved in turning this into a multi-purpose community resource centre, the Trust want to use its bursary to help develop and promote this and to help it research the feasibility of developing a new role in social housing and care provision.

This national project has grown from the vision and energy of someone with a lifelong experience of childhood disability as a teacher, social worker and family therapist. With this knowledge she developed the project to provide specialist product advice, information and products to families with children with special needs. It has grown to the point where it now needs to make a step change in its strategic planning and operation. The project will use its bursary to employ paid staff to free up the time of the managing director to concentrate on business planning and development work, with specific support and advice on particular aspects of this as needed.

Sky Visuals Media Project, Luton

Working in a deprived area of Norwich, this enterprise is developing plans for relocation to a new-build multiple resource centre for children. It needs help with researching markets for childcare and associated services, developing capital funding plans as well as firming up its draft business plan for the venture and to develop their Board structure.

Developed under the auspices of a local youth association, this project aims at building a successful visual media production business which can help to meet a range of training, cultural and educational needs, focused on the town’s Bangladeshi community. With successful drama and educational productions already behind it, the project now wants to establish itself more firmly in its own production studio and with a wider range of services. The focus of its bursary will be to develop a sound business case and to help to realise its ambitious plans.

Wickham Market Partnership, Suffolk

Lote Tree Bookshop and Training Centre, Luton

This Market Town Initiative partnership has recently gained company status and is pressing forward with plans for a resource centre in this small market town in the Suffolk Coastal area. It has secured capital funding to convert two adjoining bungalows, which will provide a base for a range of local groups and services, as well as a library. This will also give the partnership a focus to develop new services and initiatives, using other venues and assets around the town. It needs help with more detailed development work on the new centre and associated projects as well as development work with its Board.

Developed by a local Training Project, this initiative aims to create a bookshop and associated training centre which can help to address the educational and training needs of ethnic minority residents in Luton. The aim is to build upon a successful training scheme for ex-offenders and to use the project to provide further training and employment opportunities for this group as well as providing learning materials and training facilities for local families. The project needs business planning support as well as specific help in specifying, identifying, funding and acquiring suitable premises.

Treehouse Childcare Centre, Norwich

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Initiatives

Trade Fairs Rule OK

by Peter Durrant

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ollowing on from previous trade fairs sponsored by the Cambridge Co-operative Development Agency (CCDA), at the Guildhall in Cambridge, The Guild, through its trading arm nearbuyou, played host in October of this year to Norfolk region’s first trade fair for social enterprises. In Norfolk alone there are over 250 of these organisations – including managed housing, caring services to vulnerable groups, arts centres, cinemas, community cafés and training organisations – all of which were well represented on a sharp October day in the centre of Norwich.

A Smorgasbord of Enterprises One interesting illustration of the social enterprise route many community and voluntary sector organisations are taking was Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind, exhibiting carpentry made by craftspeople recovering from mental health problems. A unique approach is taken by Charity Gift Tokens, where the recipient gives the token as a donation to a charity of their choice. The Hamlet Centre, set up in 1972, works with young people with special needs in Norfolk.

If recycling unwanted computers is

more your style, Recycle-IT have a record of collecting and refurbishing unwanted equipment from almost 400 companies.

Meanwhile, the Howes Garage Project sets the scene with theatre for all. On the organic food front both East Anglia Food Link and eostre organics scored well, with Earlham Youth Mobile Units and Community Music East both demonstrating their commitment to local musicians and music in the round.

And these were just a few of the wellpresented social and community enterprises in the professional setting of St. Andrew’s Hall. They were wellsupported by the Business Link stall, masses of freely-available laptops, refreshments, and even malted barley on sale through the co-operative East Anglian Brewers.

A challenge for SSEER – and indeed all of us who are involved in the social economy – is to think about how we can build on these initiatives. One benefit of the day was that social enterprises that knew little or nothing of each other’s existence got acquainted, indicating clear routes ahead as we attempt to develop a more collective approach. This fair was a

East Anglian Brewers Co-operative showing quality beers made from malted barley.

good showcase of how we can enable organisations, share ideas and co-operate more closely with each other.

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SSEER: www.socialenterprise-east.org.uk/sseer CCDA: www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/ccda Charity Gift Tokens: www.charitygifttokens.org Community Music East Ltd: www.cme.org.uk Earlham Youth Mobile Units: 01603 753396 East Anglian Brewers: www.eastanglianbrewers.com East Anglia Food Link: www.eafl.org.uk eostre organics: www.eostreorganics.co.uk Gt Yarmouth and Waveney Mind: 01493 330633 The Guild: www.the-guild.co.uk Hamlet Centre: www.hamletcentre.org.uk Howes Garage Project: 01603 765441 InTouch: david@businessforpeople.org.uk Nearbuyou: www.nearbuyou.co.uk Recycle-IT: www.recycle-it.ltd.uk

Social Firms Eastern Region are holding a

one day regional conference on

social firm development.

5th December 2003 At The Maltings, Ely, Cambridgeshire.

To book a place, take a look at the Events Diary on the Social Firms UK website www.socialfirms.co.uk to download a conference programme and booking form.

Queries re. the event to Katalyst on tel. 0191 226 3614.

Closing date for bookings 28/11/03.

To keep up to date with the social firms movement in Eastern Region, view the webpage at www.sfer.org.uk

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Focus on: Cambridge

by Andrew Saul

Living and working under one roof decision-making process. The business has an annual turnover of £260,000 and re-invests to break even every year.

The purpose is to “employ people with special needs and give them the dignity of work” says John. Castle Print Finishers has placed fifty-three people in outside work since they set up.

John Chestney’s tips for The most successful was a successful social firm: an Arabian lad who, when referred, was • Your cash business has to be good incorrectly described as deaf and dumb. He is • It is important Enjoying their work, from left to to be flexible now earning a six figures right, Steven Mitchel, Christopher Fuller, Harriet Shepperd and salary writing computer • Don’t rely on managing director John Chestney. one customer games, and recently gave the business a donation was familiar with the • Find a niche market for the business of £2,000. leather goods and As with most social pottery shops in • Become a co-operative enterprises, there is the Cambridge’s Mill Road, but problem of perception, didn’t realise these were the shop front for Castle Project Print where potential customers believe that Finishers, one of the most impressive they will get a sub-standard product. To counter this, John markets the business social enterprises in our region.

The business was founded by the in the same way he would a conventional Richmond fellowship in 1989 to help business, only mentioning the social people with mental health problems get element when it is relevant to the off benefits and into employment. Under customer. the current managing director John Quality work Chestney it has grown into a successful An example of the quality of the work is print finishing (wire binding, folding, when two workers were placed into an laminating, stitching) business with nine outside company to cover a shortfall. By full-time employees and seventeen lunchtime they had achieved just 10% trainees. Castle Print Finishers became less than the company’s regular independent in 1992 and operates as a employees. By the end of the day, they workers co-operative, in which all full- had achieved 15% more, because they time employees can own a share. hadn’t slowed down through the Trainees cannot be shareholders, but are afternoon as the others had. encouraged to participate in the The building at 258 Mill Road was

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bought with a combination of lottery and other funding, and has allowed the business to grow and diversify. The shops at the front pay an affordable rent plus a share in profits and six of the eight residential flats on the first floor are occupied by workers, also paying rent.

Supporting each other Many of the workers previously lived in sheltered accommodation, where they felt isolated and needed the additional support. Now they live as part of a unit and support each other, which creates a “strength and unity which has served us well for years”, says John.

The remaining two flats are made available for unusual accommodation needs. For example an Indian gentleman who had won a scholarship to a computer course in Cambridge had based his budget for accommodation on the most expensive hotel in his region of India. He was surprised to discover that £1 a night was not enough. John was able to offer him accommodation at £5 a week for the duration of his course. More often, these flats are rented by overseas nurses waiting for their first month’s salary.

John is constantly looking for areas to diversify into, as he believes print finishing as a business is in general decline. The leather and pottery shops downstairs are helpful for cashflow, but John needs to find a new core business.

With his sound business sense, I’m sure this social firm will continue to do well.

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Castle Project Print Finishers Co-operative Ltd 01223 414878

NCCU manages £30K of members’ cash

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f you were told it was possible for a person who might normally be turned down for credit to borrow as little as £60, at competitive interest rates, you might well question the practicality of such a service. But this really is possible with the North Cambridge Credit Union (NCCU).

Set up with the encouragement of Cambridge City Council, NCCU provides financial services to residents in deprived parts of the city, especially those without bank accounts. It has 219 members, including 49 junior members (under 16) who regularly save between £5 a week and £150 a month. Their savings buy shares, and they recieve a dividend if the credit union makes a profit.

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After making regular deposits for three months, members can take out loans for small amounts with interest of only 1% a month, equivalent to an APR of 12.68%.

All members benefit from free life insurance, which pays out the value of any loan plus half their savings. Money can be paid in at various collection points around the city.

NCCU is owned by its members, and run by trained volunteers and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. All members can vote for the board members at the annual general meeting.

Current members’ shares are valued at just over £29,000, with outstanding loans of £10,760.

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Volunteer Nicola Boddington (left) and Treasurer Rosalind Lund at NCCU’s newest collection point at Cambridge Regional College, Kings Hedges Road.

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North Cambridge Credit Union (NCCU) Ros Lund 01223 565303, or David Warren on 01223 314664 E-mail- rosalind@lundbooks.co.uk

Focus on: Cambridge

by Andrew Saul

Paving the way as a Social Firm

Employees and learners on a well-earned coffee break around the ornamental pond they built with Silver Fern Concrete products.

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ilver Fern Concrete started as a regular business in 1982 manufacturing paving slabs. In 1994, owner/manager Kelly Boutcher began giving work opportunities to people with learning difficulties, and since then has developed the business into a true social firm and is a member of Social Firms UK. Silver Fern operates entirely as a commercial company. It sells directly from its site to builders, landscape gardeners and DIY enthusiasts. In 2002 the business made £40,000 from the sale of the concrete products.

It supports two full-time employees with learning difficulties and seven learners, ranging from those on permitted work rules to

people who come in one day a week for social inclusion. They range in age from 21 to over 60, with mild to severe learning difficulties. Each has an individual learning plan, and can study up to NVQ level 1.

Silver Fern Trust is about to be established as a charity, and Silver Fern Concrete is to become its trading arm. Kelly’s long term vision is that the company will be wholly run by its beneficiaries.

“They take part in every stage of the manufacturing process” says Kelly, “and there is no reason in the wide world why disabled people can’t run all areas of the business side as well”.

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Silver Fern Concrete 01223 420669 www.silverfernconcrete.co.uk

Employing and training homeless people

Castle Projects provides vocational route to mental health rehabilitation

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he Zion Baptist Church on Cambridge’s East Road is home to the regional branch of Aspire, a national organisation which helps the homeless and long-term unemployed to find work.

Aspire East has been As part of its commitment to employing and training operating in Cambridge homeless people, Aspire East includes six hours training for over two years. It in the working week. employs 25 homeless people a year Greens Health and Fitness centre.

As part of their employment, across several projects, with 30-40% moving on into open employment employees receive six hours a week training and mentoring, in order to or full-time education.

The main project is the help them develop both personally distribution of Aspire’s Fair Trade and professionally. When I called, a gift catalogue. Every product in the number of people were taking a catalogue is fairly traded, either customer care course.

Aspire East’s turnover is about produced in the UK or in £150,000 a year, of which about a developing countries.

Aspire East also manages third is in the form of sales or Cambridge Food Bank. “Every year, contracts.

The Fair Trade Catalogue receives supermarkets throw out thousands of pounds worth of food which ends funding from the Homeless up in landfills”, says Aspire’s Sarah Directorate. Cambridge City Barwell. Instead, the food bank Council funds a management post collects this food and redistributes at the Food Bank, and Bikes on a it, providing affordable food to Budget has received a small amount those in need whilst creating of funding from Global Grants and Cambridge City Council’s employment for more people.

Other projects include Bikes on a Sustainable Cities. The car wash Budget, through which abandoned and valeting service is supported by and donated bikes are repaired and EEDA. given to people on benefits, and in Aspire East 01223 472698 May 2003, Aspire East launched a aspirecambridge@talk21.com car wash and valeting service at

hen people have a mental health problem, having some form of work to focus on can really help in getting them back on their feet.

Castle Project Workshop was set up in 1982 with the aim of providing vocational rehabilitation opportunities in a commercial environment. The age range of its beneficiaries is 18-65, providing up to 25 places a day across its two departments.

The contract department deals with contract mailing, packaging services, assembly work and a leaflet distribution service. Beneficiaries have the opportunity to study for an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) or a CSWL (Certificate in Social and Working Life).

The other department manufactures garden conservation products such as compost bins, bird boxes, bird tables, garden furniture and school products. It specialises in made to order one-offs, which “fills a gap in the market”, according to Clive Tubb. As in the contract department, beneficiaries can study for an NVQ, but in construction.

Trainees also take part in all aspects of administration such as answering the phones, typing, filing, photocopying and faxing.

“It’s [Castle Project Workshop] helped me enormously. It gives me something to get up in the morning for, and a chance to get back in the job market. It’s my age that’s the biggest problem now, not the fact that I’ve had other problems”, said Jack, one of the trainees in Castle Projects’ contract department.

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Networks unlimited

Staying in touch This section of InTouch is for you to promote and report on the activities of your organisation.

Don’t be shy! Send news of staff changes, business developments and examples of smart thinking to Peter Durrant on 01223 262759 or send an email to humberstone@pop3.poptel.org.uk Pilot extension for Biz Fizz Biz Fizz is a revolutionary programme designed to encourage people to realise their dreams in a supported environment at the heart of the community. Now in its second year, this central government Phoenix Trust funded approach is rapidly expanding, building on the success of its initial pilot projects, one of which was in Thetford, Norfolk. It is now looking for people to run Biz Fizz pilots in their own areas.

Over the next few months they will be selecting eight two-year projects around England with help, support and funding of £23,000 towards project costs.

More on www.bizfizz.org.uk

Win an an expenses-paid trip to San Francisco The winners of this year's Upstarts Awards are set to visit successful American social enterprises as part of a £20,000 awards package. The six award categories are: • Social Enterprise Award

• Upstarts Achievement Award • Social Entrepreneur Award • Young Social Entrepreneur Award • Best Revenue Model Award • Best Elected Advocate for Social Enterprise Award Nominations are open to all and must be made online at www.upstarts.org.uk before 7 January 2004.

COVER publishes Eastern Region Directory COVER’s Eastern Region Directory has just been published and provides a much needed guide to key networkers and organisations working with the voluntary and community sector in the East of England. Many are moving fast down the Social Enterprise road.

For more information call COVER on 01223 893443 or e-mail office@cover-east.org

Working better in the Fens The Fenland Strategic Partnership encourages local groups across different sectors

to work more closely together by sharing information and pooling expertise and resources.

It includes organisations such as Fenland District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Police and East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trusts together with local businesses and the voluntary and community sector.

More from Chris Nelson, Head of Community Services, on 01354 622250 or e-mail cnelson@fenland.gov.uk

and want to develop new or existing community energy projects.

There are 20 free places on each of 12 one-day workshops around the UK available on a first-come first-served basis.

The workshops are taking place between late October and February next year. The one for the Eastern Region is being held in Ipswich on 2 December.

More information can be obtained from the Community Action for Energy Team, tel. 08701 261 444 or email on cafe@cse.org.uk

Do you live or work in Norfolk and want to grow a social enterprise?

Councils supporting Changing Times

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) has two bursaries worth £5,000 each to individuals living or working in Norfolk. These are for places on its new programme called ‘Ready Steady Grow’.

The programme begins in January and involves “learning by doing”. Experts are brought in to cover topics of interest and this is combined with a mentor and six three-day residential sessions at the SSE base in London.

There are no academic qualifications needed to join the programme as the entry requirements are attitude, achievement and energy. The programme comes highly recommended by former students.

All that you need to find are the accommodation and travel costs of the programme.

For more information contact SSE tel 020 8981 0300 or visit the website www.sse.org.uk/network/ readysteadygrow

Free training for community activists in sustainable energy projects

Winners of this year’s Upstarts Awards will travel to San Francisco to visit successful US social enterprises.

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Community Action for Energy are offering free training for members of the public or those working in voluntary organisations who are active in their community

Local councils in Suffolk are promoting real alternatives to disposable nappies by working closely with Changing Times, the Suffolk Real Nappy Campaign.

Further information from 01473 583253 or e-mail real.nappies@et.suffolkccgov.uk

cdfa newsletter The autumn newsletter from the CDFA, the UK trade association for community development finance institutions, includes sections on news, research, information and funding. It also advertises the latest job vacancies in the sector.

If you would like to receive the newsletter you can sign up on the cdfa website www.cdfa.org.uk

"Events Week" for Social Enterprises Working in partnership with Business Link Norfolk, The Guild is responsible for delivering training and support for social enterprises in the county. Planning is now underway for a major 'events week' in the spring of 2004 which will focus on a series of themed seminars targeted at different sectors of the social economy, such as waste recycling and social care and also topics of general interest such as asset development and supply chain management.

Networks unlimited Says Sally Kelly, Director, "By clustering together this series of seminars, we can create a focal week or so of activity for the sector in Norfolk and make a much bigger impact. Many of our seminars are complementary to each other and so it makes sense to deliver them close together so that participants can really build on their capabilities to strengthen their organisation's trading capability.

BizNet demonstrates Broadband in Luton Businesses in Bedfordshire and beyond now have the chance to drop in and try out Broadband for themselves with the opening of BizNet – a broadband business internet demonstration centre in Luton.

Its free to use and is equipped with three terminals. IT support and impartial advice will be on hand from UK Online for business advisors, part of the network funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) across the East of England.

To book an appointment contact Traceann Adams or Keith Padbury on 01582 650888 or e-mail them on ukonline@chamberbusiness.com

SSEER and the websites SSEER and its two associated web-sites have kicked off an interesting dialogue about Social Enterprise franchises for notfor-profit initiatives – and did you know these are already alive and well in the region?

To join, for example, a credit union with collection points from Peterborough to Lowestoft, get in touch with Rainbow Saver Anglia Credit Union Ltd on 01223 893642.

The Phone Co-op – and you keep the same number – now has over 12,000 members and you can obtain more information on 01223 262759.

If you want to use your electricity and/or gas

accounts to enable people on low incomes to pay the same direct debit rate as the rest of us – as opposed to using expensive coin meters – then ask for details of the Equi-gas scheme run by Southern Electricity on 0845 600 2006.

Charities helpline offers tax advice An integrated telephone help line service for charities offering advice about Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Charity Commission is now available on 08453 020203, 8.30am to 6.00pm at local call rates (not weekends).

The help-line will be staffed by a network of specialist advisors and will offer charities advice, including technical information and literature on direct tax and VAT. This service builds on the advice available from the Customs and Excise National Advice Service (0845 010 9000) and the Charity Commission (0870 333 0123).

Free lightbulb offer The latest edition of Cambridge City Council’s sustainable newsletter contains a free lightbulb offer, news about core funding grants and lots more info on local environmental action.

For your copy, call Sue Woodsford on 01223 457046 or download it from http://www.cambridge.gov.uk /sustainablecity/newsletters/ sus_city_news_25.pdf

£250,000. Investors in the fund include the European Investment Fund and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Further information about the fund can be found on the Create Partners website at: www.createpartners.com

Free recruitment advertising from Opportunities East The new Opportunities East job recruitment web-site goes live from October and unlike other recruitment vehicles it will only take recruitment adverts from voluntary, notfor-profit and statutory organisations based in the Eastern Region.

To celebrate the launch, advertising will be totally free of charge for the first two months.

For more information visit www.opportunities-east.co.uk

Sharing office space – secrets revealed!

A new guide revealing the secrets of developing a successful shared office space will be published by Community Action Network this month.

How To Mezzanine tells the story of CAN's highly successful openplan 'Mezzanine' office in London's Waterloo, which includes tenants such as think-tank Demos, the social entrepreneurs' foundation UnLtd and the regeneration magazine New Start.

The guide tells how the shared office facilities were created so that the tenants jointly save over £200,000 every year and so that ideas, information and resources can be traded in a highly dynamic environment. But it also reveals that the process could have been less stressful – and has key messages about where to seek advice and how to avoid problems. The guide, plus much more detailed supplements, is available from the end of October on the new-look CAN website: www.can-online.org.uk

Sustainable Food Procurement The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched a review on 26th August into the way the public sector purchases food and catering services.

The Sustainable Food Procurement Initiative will look at issues such as the effects of production and distribution on the environment, waste and energy as well as small producer competitiveness.

The initiative is part of the government’s Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food and will involve all public sector purchasers in England. Further information on the initiative can be found on the DEFRA website at: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain /procurement/index.htm

Venture capital creates new opportunities CREATE Partners Limited has launched a new fund to provide investment support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The CREATE East of England fund, to be managed by CREATE, is one of nine regional funds that will make high-risk capital available to SMEs. An initial venture capital investment of up to £250,000 will be available with a followup investment of up to

High-risk venture capital for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is available from the CREATE East of England fund

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Feature enterprise: Daily Bread ➜ page 5 natural resources or irresponsible marketing practices.

It was with this ethos that Daily Bread began trading, retailing in wholefoods, organic and fairly traded goods. Such was the success of the Northampton business that a second co-operative was established by Andrew Hibbert in Cambridge, opening its doors in December 1992.

With support received from a variety of organizations and an NHS grant (linked to mental health), Daily Bread prides itself on providing a positive and empowering environment for all its members. As a result, the business currently has a workforce made up of 13 full-time members, eight part-time and two volunteers, of which 50% are recovering from mental health issues.

Instilling confidence As Christian Ozborne explains “There is a great stigma around mental health and everyone needs structure. All the members are equal here and each person has a say. This is very empowering and great confidence is instilled in the individual”. Some of the members are retired, but many have swapped their previous professions, including a nurse,

Daily Bread’s shelves are filled with a variety of goods including baby foods, dairy produce and jams; nuts, lentils and dried fruit; tea, coffee, Soya and Vegan milk; pasta, olives and rice; seeds, fruit and juices, the list goes on!

teacher and bank clerk, for a more fulfilling career within the co-operative.

Social enterprise really can benefit all, without putting profit first and Daily Bread is a shining example. Now eleven years on, this self-funded venture boasts a turnover of £800,000 (2002-2003), of which £15,000 has been donated to other

Business for People is a community business offering 2 distinct but synergistic services.

We provide ESF and IAG funded guidance into employment and training with a learndirect centre backing up in the area of ICT and skills for life training.

We also provide publishing and marketing services including: • editorial and copy • multimedia • publishing and printing • publicity and PR Wherever we can, we provide paid work, under qualified supervision, for our beneficiaries in conjunction with our sister company, Creative Touch.

For further information, contact Margo (margo@businessforpeople.org.uk) or David (david@businessforpeople.org.uk) 4 Archers Court, Stukeley Road Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6XG t. 01480 455200 f. 01480 437888 www.businessforpeople.org.uk

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organizations. The average worker contribution to turnover has remained at around £55,000 per year per person. This is not only high but consistent, generating a very profitable business.

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Daily Bread 01223 423177 www.dailybread.co.uk

Lyn’s Story Life was good for Lyn, her two eldest children had left home and plans were being made for the next ten years before her husband’s retirement. Then suddenly, he died of a heart attack. The bottom fell out of her world and within two months she was in a mental hospital suffering from severe anxiety and depression. After a seven week stay Lyn was released with extremely dented confidence, loss of identity and a fragile ability to cope. The days following were a living nightmare, she didn’t want to get up or go out – she couldn’t face the world. Some days she just lay in bed all day, with no motivation or sense of purpose, just a big, empty void.

Then one day Lyn’s Community Nurse suggested she do something voluntary. Thinking this could be just what she needed, Lyn considered Oxfam or a similar organisation. Then while out with a friend drinking coffee in the Daily Bread café, she heard that the co-operative took on volunteers, especially people with mental health problems. So here the journey with Daily Bread began. Lyn spent two afternoons a week tidying shelves and working in the coffee shop, then one day Daily Bread was short staffed and asked Lyn if she would do some extra hours. So after nine

months as a volunteer and thirty years since her last paid employment, Lyn was to earn her first wage. She couldn’t believe they thought she was capable of doing anything worth payment, especially with her mental health issues – it was a real boost to her self-esteem.

Lyn now does 20 hours a week and her life is back on track.

Daily Bread has been a real life saver, as Lyn says “it has given my life purpose, structure, a new sense of identity, built up my confidence and enabled me to try new things I never thought I was capable of”. Now Lyn really looks forward to getting up in the morning and Daily Bread is like an extended family. It seems almost impossible to express in words just how much Daily Bread has done for her, except to say “my debt of gratitude to them is enormous, they believed in me”.