I think that everyone of us were astonished to be asked to host a visit by David Cameron & Co. Our shock was even greater when we learned that our HQ was the chosen venue to launch of the Tory party green paper on social enterprise and volunteering.
Given that there are around 55,000 social enterprises in the UK and more than 200,000 charities we must be A) very very good B) have some mystical allure, odour or hypnotic beacon that anyone elected cannot resist C) in one of the most marginal constituencies in the UK.
The team and I are convinced that it must be A with a possible smattering of B...the very same resaon of course that we have welcomed the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 5 secretaries of state, 4 junior ministers, 3 mayors, 2 lords and 1 lady leader of the lords (and a fair few others - see pics below). In fact we're so well practised at preparing for such visits we're thinking about event management as our newest social enterprise.
David was acommpanied by Francis Maude MP - Shadow Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office and Greg Clarke MP - Shadow Minister for the 3rd sector.
Marge, Lisa and Maggie
Given that there are around 55,000 social enterprises in the UK and more than 200,000 charities we must be A) very very good B) have some mystical allure, odour or hypnotic beacon that anyone elected cannot resist C) in one of the most marginal constituencies in the UK.
The team and I are convinced that it must be A with a possible smattering of B...the very same resaon of course that we have welcomed the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 5 secretaries of state, 4 junior ministers, 3 mayors, 2 lords and 1 lady leader of the lords (and a fair few others - see pics below). In fact we're so well practised at preparing for such visits we're thinking about event management as our newest social enterprise.
David was acommpanied by Francis Maude MP - Shadow Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office and Greg Clarke MP - Shadow Minister for the 3rd sector.
By 1.30pm a huge media presence was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the man the'd all come to see but I'd started work at 9.30 and was already safely inside. Knowing that they had missed me by a mile they had decided to stick around and see if anyone else of interest might turn up. Alas David Cameron, like my good self had also snuck in through the back and was enjoying a cup of our organic, fairtrade coffee by the time the media had twigged.
But seriously....
The launch of the new green paper was very interesting - some aspects need to be applauded; allowing the sector to deliver significant surplus when delivering on behalf of the state (going beyond the current principle of full cost recovery) , recognition of the role of smaller organisations rather than greater commissioning favouring the big players of the sector. Recognition that we are generally more effective at tackling social problems and that we shouldn't be seen as cheaper...all good stuff!
However I'd really like to understand more behind the reasoning of the proposed abolition of BIG lottery fund, which for us has always been a responsive and effective funder of projects and provided essential capital investment. And I'd also like to know why asset transfer should only be supported to cooperative organisations rather than to across the whole sector. I thought the idea of social enterprise zones was an interesting one but social enterprise should surely be supported in every neighbourhood. Social enterprise and community enterprise should know no bounds.
Having been offered a follow up meeting with Greg Clarke I'll hope to find out more...
David also met with local parents and heard from them directly about the importance of having sunlight at hand. Being a parent is always going to be tough but more so when you like in crowded or neglected housing, have no extended family near by to lend a hand or are just simply stigmatised for being a young parent.
Lastly David went and had a look at our community gardens, once rubbish tips, that through the actions of Bob Smith, a fantastic volunteer, are now organic growing spaces, butterfly sancturies and peaceful places that people can enjoy. Bob was thrilled to hear that our broad beans and strawberries were in better shape than David's own. The High Hopes garden was then used by Nick Robinson, political editor for the beeb to interview David for the news at 10. Bob was very been as proud.
Another big day in our history and an opportunity to perhaps influence future policy. Only time will tell.
Pictures of other recent famous sunlight visitors are below*:
Lastly David went and had a look at our community gardens, once rubbish tips, that through the actions of Bob Smith, a fantastic volunteer, are now organic growing spaces, butterfly sancturies and peaceful places that people can enjoy. Bob was thrilled to hear that our broad beans and strawberries were in better shape than David's own. The High Hopes garden was then used by Nick Robinson, political editor for the beeb to interview David for the news at 10. Bob was very been as proud.
Another big day in our history and an opportunity to perhaps influence future policy. Only time will tell.
Pictures of other recent famous sunlight visitors are below*:
Barak Obama
Dali
Gordon Brown
Marge, Lisa and Maggie
* Only joking ... with 1 and 2 and 4 but we now have opened a book on who the next high profile visitor may be...Barak Obama is jostling Ban Ki-moon and Morrissey as the odds on favourite. Give me a call if you want to place a bet....hmmm a social enterprise bookmakers....how might that work?
It's been a crazy month and a long time since my last entry - I feel like I've neglected you.
If anyone has been waiting with bated breath for my next post then I'm totally amazed. (and erm sorry).
When we decided to take control of the cafe in the Sunlight centre, it was just about having control of the space and the menu - we wanted to improve health within our community - you see any caterer in Gillingham that wants to make a profit generally buys a burger and hot dog stall.
We also wanted the older folk to feel that they could stay cosy and warm all day - even if they bought nothing at all.
5 years on and our catering activities are about to top £1m. How did that happen? We wanted to transform our community, not sell sandwiches.
I think it happened almost by accident, we could see that running a cafe meant that people could get involved in what we did without having a degree in social work. It changed the nature of our relationship with local people from 'service users' (a term I hate) to volunteers, trainees, and even staff. It created an opportunity for active participation within the centre.
Growing enterprise means more jobs and more opportunities for people in our community. And if i have learnt anything over the past 10 years it's the power of a valuing job with a good employer to transform someones esteem, confidence, independence and future opportunities.
So we keep on growing because we want to offer more and more people jobs and training, give ever more people greater opportunities to make healthier options and because we can demonstrate that good food needn't cost the earth.
A fortnight ago we found out that we'd won a huge new contract - the sole caterer to Medway Unitary Authority which means more jobs and more training opportunities. It has also continued our ethical dilemas - should we give people what they want or what they need? When does encouragement to go healthy and green become food fascism?
Is it right to dump coke and kitkats coz they're unfriendly businesses and yet deprive our customers of the most popular brands? Is bottled water worse for the planet than intensive meat production?
As our business grows we spend more and more time discussing these issues. All round eco super foods are more expensive than simple, good, nutritious food (organic free range chickens fed on alfafa sprouts harvested by a workers cooperative of Tibetan monks from our turf roof are just sooo pricey).
We started out trying to provide healthy options at affordable prices in a fairly neglected area of Kent. These days we're trying to offer employment and training to young offenders and people with disabilities who are helping us to change the world with every single crumb of our gluten free, low GI, organic tofu and freerange chickpea wraps.
I never thought cafes could be quite so ethically challenging, complicated and confusing as they currently seem.
For the time being at least we'll communicate messages about environmental impact, animal welfare, foodmiles and fairtrade (we're covered head to toe with Divine choc marketing) but leave our customers with choice.
We are however dumping bottled water and replacing it with chilled, filtered tap water in reusable glass bottles, have moved to free range chicken and keeping the training of local people as an organisational priority.
It's the sprout harvesting monks that'll have to go.
Oh well lucky for me there are plenty of other distractions to keep me occupied -
We were delighted when Futurebuilders gave us a grant to develop our proposals to take on the GP practice at the Sunlight hub as a social enterprise. (We've witnessed the success at Bromley by Bow and others and seen for ourselves the benefits of integrated healthcare - we are keen to replicate it.) Alas our consultants have been told by Medway Primary Care Trust in no uncertain way that that just ain't gonna happen. Ever.
Seeking change and improvement might imply some failure under the current arrangements - the practice is directly managed by Medway Primary Care Trust.
So it's likely that patient numbers will continue to dwindle (quite some feat in an under-doctored area), the health gains we've made will be reversed, our pharmacy will become unsustainable and close and the whole multi-award winning centre (on which so many other facilities have been based) will die a slow and awkward death.
It won't happen because we won't let it, but I've seen plenty of other incredible community organisations where it has happened and improvements won are so easily lost.
Of course we and the communities we support won't give up on our aspirations without a fight, but it does make you ask why doing good is made as hard as it is and just how much of a role social enterprise can ever really have in transforming public services. I'll keep you posted on how we fare.
Till next time!
P
If anyone has been waiting with bated breath for my next post then I'm totally amazed. (and erm sorry).
When we decided to take control of the cafe in the Sunlight centre, it was just about having control of the space and the menu - we wanted to improve health within our community - you see any caterer in Gillingham that wants to make a profit generally buys a burger and hot dog stall.
We also wanted the older folk to feel that they could stay cosy and warm all day - even if they bought nothing at all.
5 years on and our catering activities are about to top £1m. How did that happen? We wanted to transform our community, not sell sandwiches.
I think it happened almost by accident, we could see that running a cafe meant that people could get involved in what we did without having a degree in social work. It changed the nature of our relationship with local people from 'service users' (a term I hate) to volunteers, trainees, and even staff. It created an opportunity for active participation within the centre.
Growing enterprise means more jobs and more opportunities for people in our community. And if i have learnt anything over the past 10 years it's the power of a valuing job with a good employer to transform someones esteem, confidence, independence and future opportunities.
So we keep on growing because we want to offer more and more people jobs and training, give ever more people greater opportunities to make healthier options and because we can demonstrate that good food needn't cost the earth.
A fortnight ago we found out that we'd won a huge new contract - the sole caterer to Medway Unitary Authority which means more jobs and more training opportunities. It has also continued our ethical dilemas - should we give people what they want or what they need? When does encouragement to go healthy and green become food fascism?
Is it right to dump coke and kitkats coz they're unfriendly businesses and yet deprive our customers of the most popular brands? Is bottled water worse for the planet than intensive meat production?
As our business grows we spend more and more time discussing these issues. All round eco super foods are more expensive than simple, good, nutritious food (organic free range chickens fed on alfafa sprouts harvested by a workers cooperative of Tibetan monks from our turf roof are just sooo pricey).
We started out trying to provide healthy options at affordable prices in a fairly neglected area of Kent. These days we're trying to offer employment and training to young offenders and people with disabilities who are helping us to change the world with every single crumb of our gluten free, low GI, organic tofu and freerange chickpea wraps.
I never thought cafes could be quite so ethically challenging, complicated and confusing as they currently seem.
For the time being at least we'll communicate messages about environmental impact, animal welfare, foodmiles and fairtrade (we're covered head to toe with Divine choc marketing) but leave our customers with choice.
We are however dumping bottled water and replacing it with chilled, filtered tap water in reusable glass bottles, have moved to free range chicken and keeping the training of local people as an organisational priority.
It's the sprout harvesting monks that'll have to go.
Oh well lucky for me there are plenty of other distractions to keep me occupied -
We were delighted when Futurebuilders gave us a grant to develop our proposals to take on the GP practice at the Sunlight hub as a social enterprise. (We've witnessed the success at Bromley by Bow and others and seen for ourselves the benefits of integrated healthcare - we are keen to replicate it.) Alas our consultants have been told by Medway Primary Care Trust in no uncertain way that that just ain't gonna happen. Ever.
Seeking change and improvement might imply some failure under the current arrangements - the practice is directly managed by Medway Primary Care Trust.
So it's likely that patient numbers will continue to dwindle (quite some feat in an under-doctored area), the health gains we've made will be reversed, our pharmacy will become unsustainable and close and the whole multi-award winning centre (on which so many other facilities have been based) will die a slow and awkward death.
It won't happen because we won't let it, but I've seen plenty of other incredible community organisations where it has happened and improvements won are so easily lost.
Of course we and the communities we support won't give up on our aspirations without a fight, but it does make you ask why doing good is made as hard as it is and just how much of a role social enterprise can ever really have in transforming public services. I'll keep you posted on how we fare.
Till next time!
P
I thought I might start this new experience (I'm a virgin blogger or a blogger virgin) with a bit of an intro.
But introductions are hard - which is why I suppose they invented speed dating. Unfortunately speed dating doesn't provide much of a solution on here although I'll consider offers if anyone thinks I'm worth a punt.
I'm Pete - and I work on the madship Sunlight . "Sunlight is a unique organisation that defies description" said somebody important once upon a time... so where do I start. The beginning perhaps?
Maverick environmental health officers called Kate and Sarah, a voluntary sector fundraiser called Donna, an awesome council director called Ann and lil old me started our mission more than 8 years ago to create a solution to long standing social issues in Gillingham Kent. We set our sights on old derelict laundry in the heart of Gillingham which was a beacon for despair and disadvantage.
Our journey goes something like this (abridged):
1. Understand the problem and identify possible solutions
2. Build a common vision with others
3. Consult in a meaningful way - check your assumptions and revise your vision - 'action research' works well
4. Get money - we got ours from the lottery
5. Get more - we got more trusts and government regeneration funding
6. Yep we're still short - we'll need twice as much as we thought we might need.
7. We grew our aspirations by working with partners -keep as many useful people and partners with you as possible.
8. Don't be afraid to lose some people and partners along the way, especially if the're nasty, unhelpful or miserable
9. Get lovely staff, volunteers and supporters - check us out - we do have lovely staff and volunteers - probably the best in the whole wide world.
10. We got going - doing really good stuff - check out our website.
11. Crikey people like us! We're getting loads of awards. The PM is coming to visit!!
12. Yikes we're running out of money!
13. We need more money
14. What's all this about social enterprise?
15. We're doing social enterprise and making some money.
16. No one is telling us what to do with our earned money - much better and more liberating than boring old grants.
17. Goodness me... we're still here (just) and err....growing.
Fast forward to 2008.
Well today Sunlight runs some diverse enterprises - a radio station, recording studios and tv / video editing suite that exist with the Sunlight Media Hub, We also have Parentis - Parentis has worked with and supported 800 families in the last 18 months through parent coaching programmes. Its the sort of service that funders, councils and health chiefs love because a) it works and b) it is a cost effective intervention that saves agencies money.
Then we have Cafe Sunlight - a network of 4 cafes staffed by serving prisoners, adults with learning disabilities and people who have not worked for a while for a variety of reasons. We serve fresh healthy food that wherever possible is sourced directly from local farms, is fair trade, organic and provided in an environmentally sensitive way - compostable packaging for example. We started with just one, small cafe and today (yes today!) we landed a huge contract worth around £750,000p.a. with Medway Council. Procurement is finally opening itself up to social enterprise! We applaud Medway Council for taking such an enlightened approach to procurement and appreciating the quality of our truly delicious food.
In addition we provide training and consultancy services, graphic design and undertake project work. We are a multi talented team alright!
We have recently embarked on our mission to deliver primary care as a social enterprise - I've always fancied being a doctor and having my own stethoscope and that looks like it will finally occur later this year thanks to the support of futurebuilders and our forward thinking primary care trust. I will of course not really being seeing patients in a white coat (white is just not my colour).
Discovering and embarking on a social enterprise journey has been a bit scary at times but now we're actually enjoying it. 8 years ago there was just Sandra (our brilliant centre manager) and myself. We now employ over 30 staff and expect to double, perhaps triple that this year. Last year 25,145 people benefitted from our work.
Some of the stuff we do with our profits:
Running a diversity of businesses, challenging state systems, improving services, getting justice for communities and individuals, doing things the way we want, in a way that we know works is just such a buzz...it's totally infectious.
It's these things that allow us to have so much pride in our work. We enjoy brilliant motivation across the staff team and meet the most inspiring people that you could ever come across. What's not to love about social enterprise?
(other than the long long hours, sleepless nights and battle weariness caused by challenging systems that don't work and let people down)
Get in touch (if only to reassure me that there really is someone reading this).
I hope to blog again soon, but for the next month, having won this big contract, I'll probably be busy in the kitchen knocking up paninis.
Pete
www.sunlighttrust.org.uk
But introductions are hard - which is why I suppose they invented speed dating. Unfortunately speed dating doesn't provide much of a solution on here although I'll consider offers if anyone thinks I'm worth a punt.
I'm Pete - and I work on the madship Sunlight . "Sunlight is a unique organisation that defies description" said somebody important once upon a time... so where do I start. The beginning perhaps?
Maverick environmental health officers called Kate and Sarah, a voluntary sector fundraiser called Donna, an awesome council director called Ann and lil old me started our mission more than 8 years ago to create a solution to long standing social issues in Gillingham Kent. We set our sights on old derelict laundry in the heart of Gillingham which was a beacon for despair and disadvantage.
Our journey goes something like this (abridged):
1. Understand the problem and identify possible solutions
2. Build a common vision with others
3. Consult in a meaningful way - check your assumptions and revise your vision - 'action research' works well
4. Get money - we got ours from the lottery
5. Get more - we got more trusts and government regeneration funding
6. Yep we're still short - we'll need twice as much as we thought we might need.
7. We grew our aspirations by working with partners -keep as many useful people and partners with you as possible.
8. Don't be afraid to lose some people and partners along the way, especially if the're nasty, unhelpful or miserable
9. Get lovely staff, volunteers and supporters - check us out - we do have lovely staff and volunteers - probably the best in the whole wide world.
10. We got going - doing really good stuff - check out our website.
11. Crikey people like us! We're getting loads of awards. The PM is coming to visit!!
12. Yikes we're running out of money!
13. We need more money
14. What's all this about social enterprise?
15. We're doing social enterprise and making some money.
16. No one is telling us what to do with our earned money - much better and more liberating than boring old grants.
17. Goodness me... we're still here (just) and err....growing.
Fast forward to 2008.
Well today Sunlight runs some diverse enterprises - a radio station, recording studios and tv / video editing suite that exist with the Sunlight Media Hub, We also have Parentis - Parentis has worked with and supported 800 families in the last 18 months through parent coaching programmes. Its the sort of service that funders, councils and health chiefs love because a) it works and b) it is a cost effective intervention that saves agencies money.
Then we have Cafe Sunlight - a network of 4 cafes staffed by serving prisoners, adults with learning disabilities and people who have not worked for a while for a variety of reasons. We serve fresh healthy food that wherever possible is sourced directly from local farms, is fair trade, organic and provided in an environmentally sensitive way - compostable packaging for example. We started with just one, small cafe and today (yes today!) we landed a huge contract worth around £750,000p.a. with Medway Council. Procurement is finally opening itself up to social enterprise! We applaud Medway Council for taking such an enlightened approach to procurement and appreciating the quality of our truly delicious food.
In addition we provide training and consultancy services, graphic design and undertake project work. We are a multi talented team alright!
We have recently embarked on our mission to deliver primary care as a social enterprise - I've always fancied being a doctor and having my own stethoscope and that looks like it will finally occur later this year thanks to the support of futurebuilders and our forward thinking primary care trust. I will of course not really being seeing patients in a white coat (white is just not my colour).
Discovering and embarking on a social enterprise journey has been a bit scary at times but now we're actually enjoying it. 8 years ago there was just Sandra (our brilliant centre manager) and myself. We now employ over 30 staff and expect to double, perhaps triple that this year. Last year 25,145 people benefitted from our work.
Some of the stuff we do with our profits:
- Organic gardening and environmental improvements to neglected, run down areas
- Facilitate Shout Out; a self advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities
- 3 youth clubs
- Drop in sessions for people experiencing domestic abuse
- Legal drop ins - housing and family law
- Debt management and advice
- Music therapy for people with mental ill health
- Addiction drop ins
- Free condoms and sexual health advice for young people
- Older people's friendship groups
- Support for homeless individuals and families
- Complimentary therapy for people in chronic pain
- Support to over 70 local community groups and associations
Running a diversity of businesses, challenging state systems, improving services, getting justice for communities and individuals, doing things the way we want, in a way that we know works is just such a buzz...it's totally infectious.
It's these things that allow us to have so much pride in our work. We enjoy brilliant motivation across the staff team and meet the most inspiring people that you could ever come across. What's not to love about social enterprise?
(other than the long long hours, sleepless nights and battle weariness caused by challenging systems that don't work and let people down)
Get in touch (if only to reassure me that there really is someone reading this).
I hope to blog again soon, but for the next month, having won this big contract, I'll probably be busy in the kitchen knocking up paninis.
Pete
www.sunlighttrust.org.uk
