22 November 2006: There’s more to it than money

Social Enterprise Success in Dorset

Designed to help social enterprises start and succeed, a successful project reports on some of the innovative new businesses in Dorset.

The government recognised that there is a place for enterprises that want to trade somewhere between the charity and commercial sector and has coined the phrase ‘Social Enterprise’ to describe these kinds of businesses. A Social Enterprise is simply an organisation that combines a social purpose and a financial purpose. The social purpose is usually to offer benefits or opportunities to a particular disadvantaged group, or to trade in a particularly ethical way. The financial purpose is often the same as any other enterprise - to generate enough income to be self-supporting, though some Social Enterprises may generate profit specifically to support their social purpose. Many organisations that fit this description used to be called ‘not-for-profit’, but this is a misnomer for those that actually want to trade to generate an income, thus reducing dependence on grants or charity donations.

A project has been running in Dorset to help social enterprises get going, and in the last year or so, Dorset has shown itself as a county rich in ideas and commitment. Here is a taster of the type of new enterprises started with the help of Co-operative Assistance Network (CAN), and previously Dorset Co-operative Development Agency who help register Co-operative Enterprises, just one type of Social Enterprise:

South Coast Cars Co-operative offers a taxi service in the South, and has provided jobs for the two founder members – and they have since taken on a third driver with more waiting in the wings.

Treewise Co-operative started in 1999 when a small orchard was discovered by a couple of families in Symondsbury, near Bridport. The group started as an informal gathering under the banner of the Symondsbury Apple Project before contacting CAN who helped the group register as a co-operative – a structure that suits the group and offers more security and clarity to the members. The orchard was untended and unloved, but has since been bought back into use and is quite literally bearing fruit! Luckily, founder member Kim Squirrel had a sense of the community value of the orchard, and Treewise was created to generate awareness of the natural resources on our doorstep. They even have a mobile apple press to emphasise the links with environment and health.

Jack & Jill Nursery - Corfe Mullen started when a local nursery was threatened with closure. Members of staff got together to ensure the future of the nursery when the owner decided to move on, and staff now co-own and manage the facility, and continue to offer affordable places to the young generation.

Weymouth Beach Chalets Users’ Group approached CAN when the Borough Council announced they were reviewing the future for beach chalets on Weymouth seafront. The chalet users' group wanted to put in a bid to manage the amenity to meet their needs and benefit the local community. With project support they were able to outline how they propose to manage the chalets using a service co-operative model. The council committee gave them the opportunity to submit a full proposal and a chalet users’ co-operative will now form part of an options appraisal for the future of the chalets. A business plan is being developed and the group are in the process of registering their co-operative as a Company Limited by Guarantee utilising a grant provided by Co-operative Group.

The development support was delivered for free to those interested in starting a social enterprise or co-operative in Dorset, but currently new funding is being sought to continue. Last year the Co-operative Group and Business Link supported the project, following the closure of the Dorset Co-operative Development Agency in 2005.

Sarah Kiss, development worker for CAN in Dorset explains: “This is such a vibrant and community minded county, it would be a shame if the project stops offering this kind of support. People need to know they can embark on a venture in way that minimises risk and maximises social benefit, and that’s where we can help. ”

If you would like more information about co-operatives and social enterprises, please visit CAN’s website at www.can.coop