“Hackney has a proud history of social enterprise – HCT was founded here back in 1982 – but with this new partnership, it could be a real opportunity to take social enterprise in the borough to the next level.” – Frank Villeneuve-Smith, Communications Director, HCT Group
On Wednesday 21st February, representatives from Hackney’s social enterprise sector were invited to meet Philip Glanville, the Mayor in Hackney Town Hall to present the results of a consultation to create a Social Enterprise Manifesto for Hackney.
Consultation on the Hackney Social Enterprise Manifesto, led by Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC on behalf of Hackney’s Social Enterprise Partnership (Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC, Bootstrap, Company, Hackney CVS, Hackney Roots, Hackney Council, Shoreditch Trust, UBS, UnLtd and Urban MBA), has gathered ideas from over 250 social enterprises for how Hackney Council, with support from the sector can work together to further recognise the existing role social enterprise plays in the borough and to support the development of social entrepreneurship and social ownership going forward.
The Consultation Results highlight three strategic aims for the sector locally: to promote awareness & understanding of social enterprise, build capacity and reach within the social enterprise sector and to provide a platform of resources and support for social enterprises. Suggestions for Hackney Council include innovative approaches to areas such as planning, procurement and communications.
“This is an exciting day for the social enterprise movement in Hackney with Hackney Council really demonstrating their understanding of how much the social enterprise sector can contribute to the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the Borough. We are grateful to all the social enterprises who contributed to the consultation and are pleased to be working with the Hackney Social Enterprise Partnership to push this agenda forward.” Edward Quigley, CEO, Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC
See video from Social Enterprise in the City event 2017 celebrating Hackney winning Borough status:
The Mayor, Philip Glanville, who has supported the consultation since it was launched at the Social Enterprise in the City conference at Hackney House in November 2017, has welcomed the suggestions and the efforts of the sector in undertaking this piece of work. Today, senior officers from the Council have announced their plan to work collaboratively as part of Hackney’s Social Enterprise Partnership to run a series of workshops to use the ideas generated from the consultation to create a realistic and actionable action plan that the Council and social enterprise sector can co-publish later this year.
“I’m very pleased to see the results of this manifesto consultation with the social enterprise sector and the significant steps taken to get here today. In light of recent budget announcements, it is more important than ever that every penny spent by the council achieves maximum social value for residents. By supporting the growth of this sector we hope to use more of their passion, innovation, and expertise, to see more jobs for local people and the development of a more caring society. Through our role in Hackney’s Social Enterprise Partnership, Hackney Council commits to work with the sector to ensure the best of social enterprise thinking is embedded throughout council policy and the everyday life of the borough.” Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney
This level of in-depth partnership work puts Hackney at the forefront of innovative local social enterprise development and follows best practice guidance from Social Enterprise UK who awarded London Borough of Hackney recognition as an official Social Enterprise Borough in 2017.
“Hackney has always been a tremendously creative place, ahead of the curve in so many ways and it’s no surprise to see such a strong and vibrant social enterprise movement in the Borough. This dynamic social enterprise landscape is making a real difference to people’s lives in many ways including helping people get into jobs and providing health and wellbeing services. The Council’s support for the sector has resulted in the Borough being accredited as an official Social Enterprise Place.
Embracing social enterprises is crucial if we’re to build genuinely inclusive communities – they are creating jobs where they are needed most and leading the way when it comes to pay, diversity and innovation. They represent the future of business and it’s great to see the Council working hand in hand with locally-based social enterprises in what I am sure will be strong and enduring partnership.” James Butler, Public Affairs Manager, Social Enterprise UK
“I am both excited and thrilled to see the progress that has been made to date” says Nick Wright, Head of Community Affairs EMEA at UBS, who supports social enterprise through its Community Affairs programme, “and how by working collaboratively across the sector significant strides are being taken to further develop social enterprises in the Borough of Hackney, enabling them to address societal challenges more broadly.”
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Àrèmúorin – Anthony Everest is a Jazz, Soul-R&B Multi Award Winning Indie Singer-Songwriter, Author, Producer. No1, 49+ Weeks, Jazz Charts.
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