Social-Enterprise-Direct-1
Place Category: Business Services
Social Enterprise Direct is the trading arm of Advice Direct Scotland, a charity that supports all Scottish citizens. We deliver a full CAB service over the phone and online. We give information to those who need it most, at times of crisis, to resolve their problems. The profit from our contact centre work therefore directly supports struggling families, individuals and communities.
We also aim to help people into work, providing jobs where they are needed and delivering training and support, so that we maintain a skilled workforce with sustainable jobs. We deliver excellent training that is person-centred, vocational and accredited.
Commissioning SED not only offers you the best services from a motivated workforce, but every penny spent can be part of your Corporate Social Responsibility outcomes. Though our social impact is in Scotland, we operate across the UK, and currently work with companies in Scotland, England and Ireland.
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Social Impact Statements
The Social Enterprise Mark criteria includes a requirement that the applicant can demonstrate that social and/or environmental objectives are being achieved.
In support of this, new applicants and renewing Mark holders must submit Social Impact Statements that summarise their headline activities and achievements, helping show how they are striving to make a difference and stand up to scrutiny of purpose as a social enterprise.
Updated August 2017
1) Providing sustainable employment for those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Social Enterprise Direct has three key social inputs:
- Generating profit which is gifted to parent charity Advice Direct Scotland;
- Using profit to make investments (in areas such as technology) to the benefit of ADS;
- Match funding projects undertaken by ADS facilitating external funding.
This allows Social Enterprise Direct to complete its objective of providing employment opportunities to a range of demographic groups who volunteer at Advice Direct Scotland. These groups include:
- Physical Disability
- Mental Health
- Learning Disabilities
- Disadvantaged Young People
- Disadvantaged Adults
- Minority Groups
- Ex-Offenders
- Ex-Armed Forces
Since SED started trading, we have created 28 jobs. 24 people have moved on to further, substantive paid employment. Through our trading activity we have also distributed over £6m to people suffering in fuel poverty through the Scottish Power Hardship Fund, of which we are Independent Administrators.
The Inputs also allow Advice Direct Scotland to pursue its own charitable objectives.
2) Outcomes for participants
The outcomes we provide include increased opportunities for recruitment and career progression external to our own organisation as well as internal promotion opportunities (such as Daniel and Kieran – now in Junior Management positions after joining SED).
We also see a range of work-related outcomes for those employed by SED, including increased confidence, transferable, core and soft skills (such as communication and digital skills) and an increase in mental well-being through pride taken in helping others in need.
For many SED employees, earning a wage allows them to be independent for the first time in their lives, providing a disposable income which allows a better standard of living and social life. Employees report better family and home lives. We are a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer, ensuring our staff receive a fair, commensurate wage.
3) Investing in user friendly technology
Since 2012 SED has invested more than £100,000 in user friendly technology to aid users, who are not digitally enabled or comfortable with technology, to become digitally engaged and be able to undertake computer and telephony work. This technology includes, but is not limited to, the development and deployment of Salesforce, Office365, a cloud infrastructure and e-learning software for volunteers.
SED has provided sustainable and substantive employment to over 30 individuals since 2012.
