Social Enterprise UK

Social Enterprise UK We are the UK’s strong voice for social enterprise.

Every year, some of the UK’s biggest companies increase their spending with businesses with a social or environmental pu...
11/06/2026

Every year, some of the UK’s biggest companies increase their spending with businesses with a social or environmental purpose.

In 2025, supply chain spending on social enterprises by Buy Social Corporate Challenge (BSCC) partners rose to £864m!

This spend has created a lot of jobs - nearly 8,000 since the BSCC launched in 2016. Many of those jobs went to people that face barriers in finding work, whether that’s down to neurodiversity, disability or a criminal record.

The number of social enterprises supplying goods and services also increased last year – by 19%! Which means there are plenty of suppliers to choose from.

Find out more here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/seuk-report/buy-social-corporate-challenge-annual-report-summer-2026/

Ever wanted to quiz a social investor? Well, here’s your chance! ✅ Find out how their investment finance differs from yo...
10/06/2026

Ever wanted to quiz a social investor? Well, here’s your chance!

✅ Find out how their investment finance differs from your bank's
✅ Discover what will make your business ‘investment ready’
✅ Ask about the costs of loans and repayment periods

If you’re thinking of growing your social enterprise and need some funds to do it, Leila Sharland from Resonance will be on hand to answer all your questions on Tuesday 16 June at midday. This will be followed by a deeper dive session on social investment on 7 July.

These webinars are for SEUK members, but membership is free for many social enterprises. Find out more about joining our network here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/join-us-as-a-social-enterprise/

09/06/2026

Access to finance is something our research tells us that social enterprises often struggle with. If you're a social enterprise or charity leader exploring social investment, this is one event worth clearing your diary for!

Good Finance Live brings together thought-provoking panel sessions, live Q&A with experienced investors and investees and, for those attending in person, an opportunity to connect directly with social investors via the event's 'investor marketplace' and bookable 1:1 sessions.

Whether you're just starting to explore social investment or ready to take the next step, there's something here for you:

- Online attendance – open to all
- In person attendance – for charity and social enterprise leaders actively seeking social investment

📅 Wednesday 1st July 2026
📍 Online or in person (Liverpool)

To find out more and register your place, use this link https://www.goodfinance.org.uk/good-finance-live-2026

08/06/2026

Applications are now OPEN for the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026!

The Awards are the biggest social enterprise event of the year and are all about celebrating those businesses that are transforming lives and reshaping the future across the country.

This year, we’re proud to be co-producing the event with our friends at Co-operatives UK – taking the party to a city which has been at the heart of the social enterprise story…Manchester!

There are 15 categories to choose from, designed to capture the diversity and strength of the social enterprise movement. Find out more and apply using the link in the comments. But hurry, applications must close on 12 July. Find out more and apply here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/all-about-social-enterprise-uk/uk-social-enterprise-awards/

03/06/2026

If you’ve got an idea that’s going to help people or the planet and you’re wondering how you’re going to make it work, read on.

To create long-term positive social impact, we recommend starting a business!
Our new online start-up guide is free to access and has all the information you need to get your social enterprise up and running.

It’s based on the questions we hear most often from budding social entrepreneurs – from explaining asset locks and the different forms CICs take, to demystifying articles of association and how to draft them. Find out more here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/get-involved/start-a-social-enterprise/

In 2016, a group of big businesses aimed to spend £1 billion buying services and goods from businesses with a social or ...
28/05/2026

In 2016, a group of big businesses aimed to spend £1 billion buying services and goods from businesses with a social or environmental purpose. So how are they doing?

Stay tuned - all will be revealed in June. But if you’re wondering how this looks in practice, consider the work of social enterprise Nuneaton Signs. 74% of their employees have a disability, learning disability, life-impacting medical condition, or mental health condition.

Not only has Wates been buying from Nuneaton Signs since 2018, it also made them part of ASSETS, their business support programme for social enterprises in the construction industry, which has helped grow skills and develop the business.

It’s easy for big business to do good. Read the full story here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/social-procurement-case-studies/generating-social-value-through-construction-and-manufacturing-nuneaton-signs-and-wates/

27/05/2026

There’s no need for FOMO. Just sign up and it’s easy to get on the guest list.

Every year, Social Enterprise UK members get exclusive access to events where you can learn how to run your business better, network your way to a new opportunity, or help to influence policy. Check out the calendar page in the video to see what we mean.

With memberships starting from £0 (yes - you read that right), it’s easy to join the world’s largest social enterprise network. For more info, click on the link in the comments.

What's the perfect venue to host a networking event for business leaders interested in the advantages of having social e...
21/05/2026

What's the perfect venue to host a networking event for business leaders interested in the advantages of having social enterprises in their supply chain?

As a social enterprise itself, provides long-term unemployed people with the opportunity to build a career in hospitality. Hotels need staff, so why not hire and train some people who really need a job? No better way to show how you can make a positive social impact with money you have to spend anyway.

The hotel is also a short walk from London’s Excel Centre, where the World Procurement Congress was taking place. So, pretty handy if you’re looking for a place to convince procurement professionals of the merits of social procurement.

Discussions around the room last night included the future of sustainability, the added value that social enterprises bring to supply chains in innovation and how social enterprises are widening opportunity in AI.

Alongside hotel, thanks to our partners Telos and Sustainable procurement pledge for helping us put on the event.

The Department for Transport (DfT) wants to work with more social enterprises. Come and meet them! DfT is hosting an eve...
20/05/2026

The Department for Transport (DfT) wants to work with more social enterprises. Come and meet them!

DfT is hosting an event on 3 June in Sheffield, where you can also meet decision-makers from HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, National Highways, and many more.

Key suppliers will be sharing best practice on how to become a sub-contractor in the supply chain and the Crown Commercial Service will also be on hand to explain the VCSE friendly frameworks available and how to enrol.

For more information and registration: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BHJVYO/

18/05/2026

If you want to feel the force, there’s one surefire way to do it.

When we asked Martin Austin, Managing Director of Nimbus Disability, why they were members of Social Enterprise UK, he had several reasons. All is revealed in the video below.

And if you’re wondering about the stormtrooper, let’s just say that the Nimbus office is a pretty fun place to go to work.

If you’d like to know more about Social Enterprise UK membership, click the link: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/join-us-as-a-social-enterprise/

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