DESCRIPTION

Social Enterprise UK is the national membership body for social enterprises. We work with government, the private sector and general public to create opportunities for our members. From local grass-roots organisations to multi-million pound businesses, what unites our members is their commitment to changing the world through business. Social enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment. They make their money from selling goods and services in the open market, but they reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community. When they profit, society profits. Social enterprises do not make profits for shareholders (because they don't have any) or exist to make their owners wealthy. There are currently around 80,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of £27 billion per year. Well known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, Divine Chocolate and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, but there are many other social enterprises operating in a wide range of industries from transport and recycling to education, retail, and health. We are the founders of: Buy Social Directory - buysocialdirectory.org.uk Social Economy Alliance - socialeconomyalliance.org.uk Social Enterprise Places - socialenterprise.org.uk/social-enterprise-places