Plymouth is an ambitious city with huge growth potential and exciting major changes ahead. We have already seen the University of Plymouth become the first Social Enterprise University in the world. We are aware of the incredible contribution social enterprises have made to our economy, with over 150 social enterprises located in the city, employing over 7,000 people. 

Since obtaining Social Enterprise City status in 2013, we have driven the social enterprise sector forward and have shown ongoing commitment to the businesses and organisations in Plymouth. Plymouth City Council has launched the Social Enterprise Investment Fund, which is worth £2.5 million over four years, and offers organisations and businesses a mixture of capital loans and grants to enable them to create work and offer neighbourhoods more opportunities, making Plymouth a better and fairer place to live. So far 30 businesses have benefitted from the fund, which is helping to create 160 full time jobs and has levered in over £2 million of match funding.

Social Enterprises

Plymouth Social Enterprise Network Premises

Plymouth Social Enterprise Network (PSEN) exists to support the development of social enterprise activity and raise awareness of social enterprise as a way of doing business. The network started out in 2011, became a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2014 and now has around 100 members.

Bespoke Engaging Education Services Ltd (BEES)

BEES UK is a social enterprise that provides innovative educational environments and experiences for people of all ages to help them rebuild confidence and self-esteem and engage with lifelong learning. The team understands that not every young person fits the academic model created by the National Curriculum. Regardless of ability, there are those for whom a classroom feels like a crucible and who become marginalised by the prescriptive nature of mainstream education.

Memory Matters 

Memory Matters received £10,000 to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study into the creation of a history café called Moments. On completion of the study, Memory Matters successfully applied to the Council’s Social
Enterprise Investment Fund for a capital grant and loan to make the project a reality, and is now flying along. 

Universities

The University of St Mark & St John ranks as first in the UK for social mobility with 95 per cent of graduates achieving employment within six months. In the recent National Student Survey, the University has shot up the league tables achieving 100 per cent student satisfaction in some of its flagship courses and placing it among the UK’s Top 10 modern universities for student satisfaction. The University has become one of only five universities in the UK to have been
awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, indicating that it is a social enterprise supporting the community, the environment, and with good social purpose. 

The University of Plymouth was the first in the world to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark in 2012, in recognition of working as a genuine social enterprise, caring for communities and protecting the planet. As well as being a social enterprise in its own right, the University acts as a driving force, using world-class research and entrepreneurial expertise to boost social enterprise in the community, helping to drive sustainable growth by creating jobs, wealth and social cohesion. 

The Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, launched in 2013, is the first of its kind in the UK. Housing a clinical education entity in a social enterprise means that undergraduates studying for a career in dental health – dentists, nurses, hygienists and therapists – are able to treat patients when supervised by a trained practitioner. Plymouth College of Art has been an independent specialist Art College since 1856, providing a distinctive, innovative and supportive learning community in contemporary arts practice. Adding value to the cultural, social and economic life of Plymouth and the South West region, it develops a distinctive profile of work nationally and internationally.

Crowdfund Plymouth

In March 2015 Plymouth City Council became the first council to embrace crowdfunding and use money from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to pledge on crowd-funded projects. Plymouth City Council and Crowdfunder came together to help projects that improve the city and make it a better place to live, work and play through this innovative initiative. Crowdfunding can support ideas from social enterprises as well as businesses, communities and charities in Plymouth, by providing an alternative means of funding and turning ideas into reality with the power of the crowd. It is a great way for you to gather visibility and support from people in the local area for what you might want to do and put your enterprise on a strong footing.