Crisis Conference 2011 Crisis Conference 2011 Session 1: Does Social Enterprise work?

Crisis Conference 2011 Freya Hodges, Crisis 3xE Network Social Enterprise and the Homeless Sector

Crisis Conference 2011 Freya Hodges, Crisis 3xE Network 1.Introduction to the Ethical Enterprise and Employment Network (3xE) and how social enterprise can work in the homeless sector (Freya Hodges) 2.Presentation from Connection Crew (Charlie Dorman) 3.Presentation from BikeWorks (Zoe Portlock) 4.Q&A Session

Crisis Conference 2011 What is the Ethical Enterprise and Employment (3xE) Network? The Ethical Enterprise and Employment (3xE) Network is run by Crisis to bring together organisations using social enterprise and supported employment models, and organisations working with unemployed people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Crisis Conference 2011 Background Set up in 2008 by the homeless charity Off the Streets and into Work (OSW) with Big Lottery Funding to run the Ethical Enterprise and Employment Network across all the English regions. Responding to an increasing interest and activity around social enterprise and supported employment within the homelessness sector. Designed to link homeless organisations to the social enterprise sector in a time when access to grant funding was reducing and social enterprise was a viable option to keep supported employment sustainable. In 2010 OSW, including the 3xE Network, merged with Crisis

Crisis Conference 2011 Delivery Over the past 3 1/2 years the 3xE Network has launched across all 9 regions - with support from regional Social Enterprise infrastructure bodies, e.g. SEL, Social Enterprise West Midlands and RISE. Membership to the 3xE Network is free and we are currently supporting 260 member organisations. React to the needs of the members to develop and deliver support in the form of referrals, workshop events and visits

Crisis Conference 2011 Examples of the work we do: Diagnostic assessment for organisations starting out and for organisations with a growing social enterprise Referrals to mainstream support services or tailored consultancies to fit with the organisation’s needs. Learning from experienced enterprises – good practice visits and case study workshops Business specific advice and guidance in areas such as marketing or legal structures. Policy seminars across the regions Produced policy publications on lessons learned and best practice on different topic affecting the sector

Crisis Conference 2011 The 3xE Network Evaluation Capturing the work and findings of the project Capturing the journeys of the member organisations Producing more best practice guides in topic areas that are pertinent to the homeless sector Disseminating information around trends and lessons learned from 3xE and our members across the network Developing a legacy to promote and support sustainability for social enterprises in the homeless sector

Crisis Conference 2011 The Value of Social Enterprise to the Homelessness Sector With effective business development and planning at the initial stages, along with the confidence and foresight to respond to the changing needs of the enterprise, social enterprises have the potential to: Generate unrestricted income Provide employment and/or training outcomes for homeless individuals Provide a financially sustainable basis to engage clients in meaningful activity

Crisis Conference 2011 Examples of successful SE within the Homelessness Sector There are many successful models for social enterprise. These can vary from those built around supported employment models where revenue is not the primary goal; right through to those that use the enterprise solely as a vehicle to generate income, which is reinvested into the organisation. Examples: BHT & Blue Rocket (Brighton) Squeaky Chains (London) Framework Housing Association & Eve Project (Nottingham)

Crisis Conference 2011 Freya Hodges, Crisis 3xE Network Freya Hodges 3xE Network Manager Tel:

Crisis Conference 2011 Charlie Dorman, Connection Crew

Crisis Conference 2011 Zoe Portlock, BikeWorks

Crisis Conference 2011 Video

Crisis Conference 2011 Any questions?