Social Enterprises in Nottingham
Social enterprises are not for profit firms which provide employment, work experience and training to people who are disadvantaged in the labour market. Social firms are businesses which return profits to the company, but with a strong social purpose. Traditionally they have operated in low value, low margin sectors, but this is an unrealistic limit on their potential. Like other types of mutual organisations they can develop in any field; like any business they should carry out market research first and have a realistic business plan.

Case Study 1: Stonebridge Farm
GGU has been working with two organisations to establish social enterprises in Greater Nottingham. Stonebridge City Farm was started by the local people in St Anns in 1979.

It is an innovative, inclusive learning community and its aim is to involve people with varying abilities in the day to day work of the farm, whether it be working in the barn, on the gardens, maintenance or supporting volunteers with special needs.

Working with GGU, Stonebridge is piloting a composting scheme to recycle organic waste including food waste. The result will be an odour free soil improver which the public can buy to start their own composting. Stonebridge can even sell the "composting" worms too!

Case Study 2: Reclaim
Reclaim set up a social enterprise in Sheffield in 1989 and its mission statement is to provide real work for people with learning disabilities, mental health problems and other disadvantages in the labour market.

They do this through the reclamation and sorting of materials for the recycling industry. GGU is working with Reclaim to develop a social enterprise to recycle aluminium and plastics.

Support for Social Enterprises
GGU will be supporting the development of other social enterprises in Greater Nottingham and in the East Midlands and can help an enterprise :

• as a 'start up'
• as a conversion from the voluntary sector
• to grow
• to develop products or services

Feasibility Studies
- Gainsborough (recycling)

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