Social Firms UK

On this topic in the winter of 2005, Third Sector Magazine wrote:

"There are obvious benefits to organisations in having a trustee or trustees on their board who have learning difficulties, particularly if the focus of their objectives is providing for people with learning difficulties. Such trustees will be best placed to give the perspective of beneficiaries of the organisation and suggest ways to improve services as well as providing them individually with empowerment and self-esteem opportunities.

An entrepreneur is an individual who owns and operates their own business, assuming the responsibility, risks and rewards therein. A social entrepreneur meanwhile is someone who works in an entrepreneurial manner, but for public or social benefit, rather than to make money. Social entrepreneurs may work in ethical businesses, governmental or public bodies, quangos, or the voluntary and community sector.

Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. The CIC is a suitable business structure for a Social Firm.