We believe that when we are open about the social needs within our community we become better placed to be able to cooperate to make a positive difference. We also believe in celebrating the differences that are made. Here you will find case studies that look both at social challenges and those that focus on successful outcomes. We hope that they inspire you!
Cotswold Fayre
Cotswold Fayre was started by Paul Hargreaves, the company’s CEO from his home in Deptford, South East London in the nineties. At the time Paul was working with a group of local churches as a community worker and needed a way to supplement his income. He had relatives who were artisan bakers working in the Cotswolds, Paul started to sell the bakery goods to local delicatessens and farm shops around London
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s Booth House accommodates men and women experiencing homelessness. They work with them to identify their needs to achieve independent living and run two social enterprises: Recycles and The Sandwich People.
Swindon 105.5 FM
SWINDON 105.5 is a not for profit community radio service: In Swindon, by Swindon, for Swindon. The station opened in 2006 and operates 24/7 with about 120 team members regularly involved.
Swindon Night Shelter: The Hub Café & Shop
Watch the film to see how The Swindon Night Shelter (TSNS) have set up a successful trading operation: “The Hub” in order to finance their ministry.
Nanogreen Cleaning: A Hand Up
After a challenging childhood, growing up in Glasgow, at just 16 Craig Duff decided to leave and ended up in Devizes! Craig counts himself very fortunate to have been taken under the wing of a local businessman who gave him an opportunity to learn a trade and get himself grounded.
Having now built up an ecologically friendly cleaning business; Nanogreen, Craig has decided to help others in need. Working with the two local homeless charities: Threshold and the Salvation Army (Booth House) in Swindon. He offers work experience with the possibility of employment to those who, due to their own special circumstances, find it very challenging to even get a first job interview.
Watch the film “Mikey” to see how this private business is changing the lives of local people who simply need a helping hand up to realise their potential.
What could you do? Increasingly so: Commercial organisations delivering social or environmental impact are finding that it gives them a marketing edge when prospective clients choose who to buy from.
At the Core of the Community
Read this good news story about how an Old Town Juice bar/Café has made a difference in the locality during the Covid-19 pandemic!
From supplying free smoothies to key workers on the frontline, fruit and veg boxes to the vulnerable and nutritious packs of smoothies to children eligible for free school meals.
The team at the Core, led by Kris Talikowski and backed by local commerce and individuals demonstrate the difference small businesses can make by giving “something back” to their community.
An inspiration for all!
The Platform Project: Creating Young Entrepreneurs
The Platform Project is a not-for-profit project, Community Interest Company, which supports young people in Swindon interested in setting up their own businesses.
The social enterprise runs a number of small-scale innovative youth-led businesses, including the youth magazine #iDare, a digital media marketing agency and a printed goods business, where the young adults do everything you would in a normal business including managing social media, liaising with customers, making decisions, and managing project finances. Click below to read more.
Change Please – “Good Coffee Doing Good”
What’s your “poison”? Latte, cappuccino or a strong “pick me up” double espresso? Whatever it is imagine if you could enjoy it while knowing that by doing so you were also helping a homeless person to rebuild their life. Now that’s a coffee to really savor!
Find out how the social enterprise; Change Please is making this a reality. Read more by clicking below.
Producing the Next Cohort of Creative Talent
Shahina Johnson is the CEO and Artistic Director of Create Studios in Swindon, she talks about Create’s beginnings and mission: “Create began over 35 years ago funded as a government initiative aimed at allowing access to film and video-making equipment, providing training to the community and in particular; young people. It was initially part of Swindon Borough Council (SBC) until 2014 when it was spun off as an independent Community Interest Company (CIC). Create operates as a not-for-profit, social enterprise, funded by providing film and digital services and supported by Arts Council England as one of their National Portfolio Organisations, and a small grant from SBC.”