At an EGM yesterday, members of Social Firms UK passed a special resolution that enables the national support agency to represent all employability-focused social enterprises across the UK, including Social Firms. In European speak, these social enterprises are termed ‘WISEs’ (Work Integration Social Enterprises) and, recognising that there is not significant awareness of this terminology, Social Firms UK will also refer to them as ‘employability-focused social enterprises’ which explains more succinctly what they are. All Full Members already fall into this category and many Associate Members are more broadly engaged with work integration activities of disadvantaged people (their activities might include intermediate labour market, vocational training, job placement, volunteering and, in the case of Social Firms, job creation). This strategic shift means that they and many other employability-focused social enterprises around the UK not currently in membership will now directly benefit from the concerted efforts of Social Firms UK.
New members will enjoy a whole raft of benefits; including help and advice on becoming/running a WISE or Social Firm, access to a significant range of contacts and network members with expertise, reduced delegate fees at the Social Firms UK national conference (and other events held through the year), free DIY Feasibility Toolkit, free Performance Dashboard, reduced rates for other useful toolkits, templates and resources and regular news updates on the sector. On top of all that, as Social Firms UK has an ethical purchasing policy, there is a direct financial benefit – in Q3 of this year, 65% of our non-pay spend was placed within the third sector.
Outgoing CEO Sally Reynolds commented “In this challenging economic climate, where training and work placements are being squeezed and unemployment continues to rise, it is vitally important that all employability-focused social enterprises can have representation from an experienced and highly respected agency that has specialism and track record in this field. More flexibility in the broader employment marketplace will become necessary in order for opportunities to continue to be created for those who are severely disadvantaged and Social Firms UK is well placed to champion those efforts.”
Notes:
- Social Firms UK is, following its EGM on 8th December 2011, the national support agency for all employability-focused social enterprises across the UK that are committed to supporting individuals at a disadvantage in the labour market with routes to employment and employability. Many of its members work with individuals who have a learning disability, mental health problem, a prison record or a history of homelessness or drug or alcohol misuse.
- Social enterprises which focus on employability of disadvantaged people are called WISEs in Europe (Work Integration Social Enterprises) and their activities might include volunteering, vocational training, job placement, transitional employment and, in the case of Social Firms, job creation. 3. Social Firms are market-led businesses which trade in order to create sustainable, paid employment opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market. Their products and services are featured on the online trade directory www.justbuy.org.uk
- It is estimated that the Social Firm sector accounts for savings of at least: £40 million in welfare benefits; £8 million in health care; and £1 million in social services.
- Image is of Social Firm First Fruit Warehousing in London who aim to provide real employment and experience for people in our society who have been disadvantaged - including formerly homeless and ex-offenders.