How to support social enterprises through the COVID19 crisis

Find out how you can help social enterprises through this difficult time

We are all facing uncertain times, due to the immediate effects of the current situation, as well as the economic hangover which may have longer-lasting consequences.

Many social enterprises are facing extreme operational and financial challenges, due to the economic and social restrictions currently in place.

The vital work that social enterprises do is now more important than ever.  To ensure they can continue to provide much needed support to communities, they need your help. A number of social enterprises have set up crowdfunding campaigns and other requests for support to help get them through this period.

See below for details of how you can help.


Neon sign saying 'Do something great'

AUARA

AUARA logo

AUARA is a Spanish social enterprise that invests 100% of its profits in projects providing access to drinking water to the poorest communities in developing countries.

During the current crisis, they have donated 1 million bottles of mineral water to hospitals across Spain. They have now set up a crowdfunding campaign to support them to continue – donations will help cover the costs of the production and distribution of mineral water bottles to face the health emergency caused by COVID-19 in hospitals throughout Spain.


Business Launchpad

Business Launchpad

Business Launchpad supports young people living in London to overcome barriers to enterprise to start and run their own businesses.

They offer resources for all stages of entrepreneurship, including those at the very early stages of considering a business idea, to those who have already started. All services are completely free for young people aged 16-30 living in London.

In response to the crisis, they have set up Tooting Community Projects, to provide the local community with safe, sanitised and secure spaces to distribute food and essential items to vulnerable groups. They are covering all staff costs, but are asking for donations to support the purchase of ingredients for cooking, the equipment needed for the safe distribution of food or the purchase of items for those in immediate need.


Emmaus Cambridge

Emmaus Cambridge

Emmaus Cambridge is a homelessness charity, which provides more than just a bed for the night to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. They offer people a place to call home for as long as they need it and meaningful work in their social enterprise.

Living in a stable environment with the opportunity to gain new skills helps companions to regain any lost self-esteem and confidence so they can get back on their feet.

As a social enterprise, they do not have any outside funding and have always managed to be self-sufficient. However, they are now unable to conduct their usual trading activities, which was their main source of income.

To raise funds, they have decided to get involved with the 2.6 challenge where 26 of their staff and companions will  be walking 26 miles from Monday 27th – Thursday 30th April.


First Steps Bath

First Steps Bath

First Steps Bath is a charity and social enterprise providing childcare and family support in the community. They provide quality, inclusive child care and services for families, which enables children to enjoy education and learning in a warm and welcoming environment and supports parents back into education, training and employment.

These services enable parents to access quality, flexible childcare that enables them to return to training and employment and provide a sustainable family income.

First Steps Bath is fundraising to add value to their services during this difficult time, ensuring they can enhance the early years experience for all children and families. Just £12 can provide healthy meals and snacks for four days for one young child.

National Lobster Hatchery

National-Lobster-Hatchery logo

The National Lobster Hatchery is a marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow, Cornwall. They generate real impact by creating excellent science that can inform policy, resulting in better managed lobster stocks and ultimately greater prosperity in coastal communities.

As a small charity that relies on the income generated from their visitor centre, the enforced closure will prove very difficult. There are a variety of ways you can help them stay afloat through this period of closure:

Ordinary Magic

Ordinary Magic logo

Ordinary Magic is an early support community interest company (CIC), which provides innovative and creative early intervention work to help children who would benefit from help with their confidence, anxiety, self regulation, self esteem and concentration.

Due to the current crisis, they have seen a huge growth in referrals for mental health support for children, and as their trading has ceased, they will be unable to fulfill the demand within the next 2 months.

They are raising money to pay for a mental health support worker to support vulnerable children in Solihull, which will help them cope with their emotions whilst shielding and to aid their transition back out of shielding and lockdown when the time comes.


Pembrokeshire FRAME

Pembrokeshire FRAME logo

Pembrokeshire FRAME is a social enterprise and registered charity that sells pre-loved furniture and bric-a-brac to fund work practice and training for disadvantaged people in Pembrokeshire.

Due to the current situation, many of FRAME’s loyal supporters aren’t able to visit their showrooms right now, which puts pressure on their cashflow. You can help support Pembrokeshire FRAME during this difficult time, by purchasing a gift voucher for yourself, a friend or family member to spend in any one of their stores when they reopen.


Selby Trust

Selby Trust logo

The Selby Trust is a charity and social enterprise, which manages community facilities that bring together a rich
mix of individuals and organisations, primarily from BME, refugee and other historically excluded communities in Tottenham, Haringey, North London and beyond.

Coronavirus has had a huge impact on their local community, making people very vulnerable. In response, they have opened The Selby Food Hub, which is providing much-needed supplies to as many people as possible.

They are now asking for donations to keep stock levels up and to ensure volunteers have the right PPE and cleaning items so they can operate safely.


Social Ark CIC

Social Ark logo

Social Ark CIC supports young people from under-resourced communities in East London to use their lived experiences to develop social businesses and community projects.

Their mission is to equip young people from tough backgrounds with the skills, know-how and support to transform their lives and the communities around them. This mission has been hit hard by COVID-19 as their funds don’t cover such an extensive crisis and the response from government doesn’t go far enough to support them.

For the first time, Social Ark is asking for your help to enable them to continue supporting young social entrepreneurs from working class communities.


The Big Issue

The Big Issue

The Big Issue exists to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income by selling an entertainment and current affairs magazine to the general public.

For their street vendors, many of whom are homeless and living in very vulnerable circumstances with their only income coming from selling the magazine, the current lockdown is devastating both financially and emotionally.

They need urgent help to ensure vendors have ongoing access to support from The Big Issue now and in the future. You can subscribe for 3 or 6 months, or donate to the appeal fund.


Watershed

Watershed

Watershed is the leading film culture and digital media centre in the South West, which develops cultural engagement, imagination and talent, in the belief that the route to better futures is open, disruptive and co-produced.

Due to the current lockdown, the Watershed building is closed and all upcoming events and screenings are cancelled. Without the cinema and café/bar, they now have a much reduced income.

To help secure Watershed’s future, you can make a one-off, monthly or annual donation.


Watford Workshop

Watford Workshop

Watford Workshop has been supporting people with disability in Watford and large parts of Hertfordshire and North Middlesex since 1964. They enable people with disability to live more independently, through teaching them work and skills that conquer social isolation through paid employment.

They rely on subcontract work, such as packing, labeling and light assembly. Covid-19 means that a lot of this work has dried up and so a large number of their staff have had to be furloughed.

They need support to help fund a new helpline and support service, which will help tackle the anxiety and isolation some of their vulnerable staff are feeling as a result of the furloughing measures they have had to take.


We will be keeping this page regularly updated as we become aware of more support campaigns, but please do get in touch if you would like us to feature your campaign.