UK: Enterprise more effective than grants for homelessness

A new report, ‘Access to Enterprise’ (A2E), produced by Social Enterprise London and Off the Streets and into Work, and funded by ChangeUp (a UK government programme to increase capacity in the voluntary sector) has focused on case studies of two highly successful homelessness organisations, The Big Issue and Street Shine, and on seven homelessness organisations ranging from a large charity, St Mungo’s to a small social enterprise, Brent Homeless Users Group. The Big Issue’s core approach is to encourage self-help by selling magazines. Street Shine employs homeless people to provide a shoe repair and care service to large companies within the City of London. Both organisations have been geared towards generating income through enterprise from the start and have found social enterprise to be more effective than grant income, which, for them, was difficult and distracting. The case studies concluded that being a financially independent organisation helped The Big Issue and Street Shine to inspire their workers to achieve the same. Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise London said, “The report’s findings present the homelessness sector with a challenge. Social enterprise has to some extent turned into the proverbial glass slipper with everyone trying to stuff his or her foot into it. In the right environment social enterprise is the perfect fit, enabling the homeless to find work and economic independence. But for those organisations that are interested in pursuing an enterprising approach there must be adequate specialist business advice available. This stuff is not easy. To take business risks with society?s most vulnerable citizens requires inspiring business acumen and targeted investment, not off-the-shelf, quick fix solutions.” www.sel.org.uk