CU Social Enterprise CIC

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 are asked to respond to a set of social impact questions, which are designed to help them think about the social impact they create, and to articulate this clearly and succinctly.

Updated March 2019

1) What social differences and changes have you aimed to create (or supported)?

We are the only UK example of a social enterprise set up by a university to promote social entrepreneurship and innovation.

Our remit is to maximise CU’s role as an anchor institution by finding ways of benefiting the local community and achieving true social value.

Our mission is to help people realise their entrepreneurial potential.

Our role as social innovators extends to supporting students, alumni, staff and community at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

2) What actions have you taken to address the above social aims?

In 2017/2018 we have supported the establishment of 15 social enterprises the highest number ever achieved amongst universities across the UK.

The Enterprise Hub is a welcoming place for incubation, co-working, events and workshops.

We launched the Hub Club in April 2018, a monthly social event open to all interested in connecting with local entrepreneurs and businesses.

We have developed a range of training programmes, resources and toolkits to meet our client needs. Currently running 3 programmes Evolve, Connect ME and Emerge.

We also work to support the growth and development of social economy in Coventry. It is estimated that there are 200 social enterprises in Coventry. This year the number of social enterprise set up with CUSE support increased by 36%.

3) What has changed and what benefits have been realised as a result of your actions?

• 41 new start ups were created and we supported the establishment of 15 new social enterprises.
• Generated a turnover of £549,500
• 351 participants on our programmes
• We achieved 6 team or staff awards
• We had 10,915 engagements with our communities
• We have 5 entrepreneurs in residence
• We have received 388 new enquiries through the ‘my idea’ form
• 135 attended our new ‘Hub Club’ socials

Overall, in 2017/2018 our training programmes reached 211 students, 27 staff and 113 of the community. 39% of participants on the Evolve programme reported an increase in confidence and 74% rated the programme as excellent in terms of quality and usefulness. 41% would not have started their business without our support. The Emerge programme created 23 jobs, with 79% trading after 2 years.

4) How do you and other people know your aims are being achieved? Or how will you know?

The above information is from our recent social impact report. This is widely published.

Supplementary details

The below questions are not mandatory, but Mark holders are encouraged to answer them where possible, to provide a fuller account of their social outcomes and the social value they create.

5) How many people have benefitted from your actions?

• 351 participants on our programmes.
• We had 10,915 engagements with our communities.
• 36% of our total annual expenditure for 2017/18 was spent with Social Enterprises (£36,612)

6) What examples can you provide of a typical service user experience, that helps illustrate the benefits they have experienced as a result of your actions?

7) What other social benefits have you contributed that go beyond your core delivery activities (ones that are completely unrelated to your main services)?

Coventry gaining the title of UK City of Culture for 2021.

Working with Social Challenges Innovation platform – an online ecosystem encouraging development and implementation of sustainable innovations with clear social impact.

8) What social and environmental benefits have you created from internal operational policies and actions?

In the last year we supported staff development through sponsoring two accredited qualifications. We mentored four interns on placements and 5 staff completed the Evolve programme.

Our staff/SE experts have sought to advise on social enterprise development in other countries including, Greece, Belgium, Czech Republic, South Korea, Mexico and Brazil.

We work to support the growth and development of the social economy in Coventry, 1 in 4 social enterprises are started-up with CUSE support.