Social Firms UK

The Just Buy campaign is borne out of our Social Expenditure Report (2009) which revealed that our third sector spend has risen to an incredible 70% over the last two years - and now stands at 54% of non-pay spend.

In keeping with our values, Social Firms UK always tries to buy from the Social Firm sector. Where this has not been possible, spend has been placed with social enterprises, then within the third sector as a whole.

If we all took the time to choose the type of businesses we buy from – without having to compromise on quality or service – more small businesses would become sustainable; creating more jobs and strengthening communities without sacrificing both vulnerable people and the planet.

Think before you buy and make it a just purchase where you can and pledge your support here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full Members of Social Firms UK iSE have also launched a similar initiative for social enterprises.  Their research showed:

• 35% of social enterprises don’t buy any goods or services at all from within the third sector.
• Almost half spend less than 10% of their supplier-spend in the sector.
• Only 13% spend 10% – 30% of their supplier-spend in the sector.
• Less than 2% spend 50% or more of their supplier-spend in the sector.

  As a result, Shop for Change was launched to address barriers to buying and strengthen the social economy in the UK.

For more details and to sign their pledge, visit the Shop for Change website www.shopforchange.info

Download iSE's Analysis of Trends in Social Enterprise Markets report.