The theme dominating the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) Communications and Marketing Conference was how housing associations can better tell their stories to encourage public support. CEO of the NHF David Orr set out the agenda for the day: “The creation of the narrative and the telling of the story is as important as being confident about having
Read More

Keswick-based skincare specialist The Soap Co is a business on a social mission. As well as creating handmade products with natural ingredients, it provides employment opportunities for groups underrepresented in the UK’s workforce. More than 80% of its staff are disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds, with an emphasis on employment for blind people – a mission its
Read More

Traditional divisions between NGOs, charities and businesses are blurring with new collaborative projects on water The problem of global water access is as intransigent as they come. Some 768 million people – more than the population of Europe – still lack access to clean water. Likewise, this year’s Millennium Development Goal target of halving the
Read More

With rump steaks for 50p, 30 eggs for £2.10 and products from rival stores sitting alongside each other on the shelves, it is obvious that the Community Shop, which officially opened on Monday, is not the average supermarket. The shop in West Norwood, south London, is a social enterprise aimed at helping people on benefits by providing
Read More

As a Filipino-American, I moved back to the Philippines to pursue this venture with my former MBA classmate, who is a Filipino-Australian. Yes, I live in Manila now. I’m in the U.S. for a couple of months promoting our projects as well as building partnerships with like-minded groups with a heart for what we’re doing.
Read More

Arts is a force for good, our workshops show how participation can turn them into tools to develop confidence and leadership skills I was born and brought up in Hong Kong and studied theatre at university. Growing up, I was passionate about the potential that theatre has to make us think differently about the world
Read More

“Once poverty is gone, we’ll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations.” This is the vision of Professor Muhammad Yunus. It is also the vision of the UN member states that created the Sustainable Development Goals. Ellie Ward explores the role of social enterprise in this historic international pact. As of January
Read More

Social enterprises here typically offer jobs to disadvantaged groups as part of their social mission. But more are starting to hire corporate professionals at the management level too, to help grow their businesses. One of them is Western food chain Eighteen Chefs, which employs at-risk youth and former offenders. Its new group chief executive once
Read More

A traditional approach to agriculture has helped Indonesian farming communities grow diverse crops and compete in global markets The first time Helianti Hilman visited the indigenous farmers of the West Java town of Garut, she was asked to remove her shoes before entering their fields. Her surprise grew when the farmers quizzed her on her
Read More