Peter Holbrook: By way of introduction

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:

• 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