Help UK Social Enterprises survive COVID-19

Social Enterprises are small businesses run by passionate individuals for the purpose of creating social and environmental change.

Social Enterprises are not charities. They do not rely on grants and donations for funding; they are small business who reinvest most of their profits to achieving their social mission, rather than paying out to owners or shareholders.

Social Enterprises play a crucial role in supporting and empowering the most vulnerable sections of our communities.  Whilst many small businesses will be impacted by the coronavirus restriction, Social Enterprises are even more vulnerable than most as they do not hold many cash reserves and are not eligible for the Government’s charitable rescue packages.

Please help us to help these Social Enterprises to not just survive these challenging times, but adapt, grow and create even more social impact – especially now when so many communities are suffering.

 
WHO WE ARE AND WHO YOU WILL HELP 


_SocialStarters are an award-winning social enterprise that provides training, mentorship, consultancy advice, grants and bursaries to 250 UK and overseas social enterprises a year.  

Some of our local social enterprises and their current challenges include:

Feast In A Flash: who are tackling food poverty in Newham, east London. They are currently trying to set up vegetable boxes for the most vulnerable such as frontline NHS workers and the elderly

Lemonade: a mental health organisation who support 15-24 year olds with critical 'lifeline' support who are trying to adapt their offering to a digital proposition

Sapling Spirits: a sustainable drinks company changing the way lifestyle products are brought to market, with less harm to the planet, who are trying to adapt their route to market, whilst pubs, bars and hotels are currently closed

Maji: tackling the pending pension crisis through a tech-enabled platform

Disco Dust London:  an inclusive, eco-friendly beauty brand now vulnerable due to poor summer sales


WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR

1. Donations – your donations will enable _SocialStarters to continue to providing consultancy support bursaries to the most vulnerable Social Enterprises, to help them adapt and survive and keep delivering a positive social and environmental impact where it is needed most.

*Investment Packages*

_SocialStarter (£8,500): This would provide mentorship to 10 UK social enterprises over the next 2 months of uncertainty

_FireStarter (£3,460): This would provide a complete support package to 2 social ventures deeply affected by covid-19 who are tackling issues across health, isolation, education & inclusion

_ImpactStarter (£1,892): This provides 2 months of strategic support to a social enterprise this summer offer a 100% bursary meaning the programme is free to the social enterprise to participate.

_SurvivorStarter (£600): Just six hundred pounds would pay a self employed / low paid founder's rent for two months plugging the financial gap left behind by Universal Credit's self employment grant scheme. This would go to a venture founder who has ceased trading and has zero reserves with no prospect of earning enough income to pay their rent in April & May.

Of course, any amount is greatly appreciated and will enable us to continue to provide support during this period of uncertainty.


2. Crisis Business Volunteer Contributions – if you have relevant business experience and time to spare you can join us as a Volunteer Business Consultant. If we can, your skills & interest area will be matched to a Social Enterprise where you can provide the strategic or technical support to help them navigate their way through this crisis.  Find Out More. REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER 


3. Spreading the Word – Please help spread the word and share this message to help us reach our target.

 
DELIVERING AWARD WINNING SUPPORT  

_SocialStarters is an award winning social enterprise comprising 4 staff and 3 volunteers, recognised for the impact of our contribution. Here are some of our most recent awards from 2019: 

- Escape the City, #27 (joint with The Economist) in Top 100 Companies (which includes: Monzo, Patagonia, Keep Cup, Brewgooder in the list.)

- Natwest's Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise 2019

- Natwest & Pioneers Post 'Women's Champion Award'

- Blue Batch Sustainability Awards, Best Female Leader (finalist)


www.socialstarters.org
@_socialstarters
facebook.com/wearesocialstarters



Migrateful provide cookery classes to foodies and cultural fanatics, all taught by trained migrant chefs.