“Vote Social Enterprise” on Thursday 3 May
Date: Tuesday 1 May 2012
Embargo: Immediate
Contact: Duncan Thorp 0131 243 2654 / 07501 221 581 duncan.thorp@socialenterprise.scot
“Vote Social Enterprise” on Thursday 3 May
Social Enterprise Scotland is urging voters across Scotland to “vote social enterprise” in the local elections, this Thursday 3 May.
The campaigning voice for social enterprises is urging people to take a look at local manifestos – and note where candidates are supporting social businesses in their community.
Fraser Kelly, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Scotland, said:
“Voters have a choice on Thursday to select those candidates that put the community first. By choosing to elect those who support community benefit and social enterprise they will be putting their interests – and the interests of the most vulnerable in society – first. Vote social enterprise on Thursday and make your voice heard.”
Social Enterprise Scotland is an independent Scottish organisation, built and controlled by grassroots social enterprises across the country.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. What is social enterprise? Social enterprises are businesses that trade specifically for social and/or environmental purposes. Social enterprises exist to make a profit just like any private sector business. However, instead of paying dividends to share holders, profits are reinvested into social and environmental purposes. Without making a profit, social enterprises cannot meet their objectives; they must trade, to be sustainable. The more profit made, the more can be invested in the purpose. This more-than-profit approach is used by, for example: Co-operatives and mutuals, Credit Unions, Housing Associations, Social Firms, Development Trusts and Community Interest Companies (CICs), operating in every corner of Scotland and in every sector of the economy.
2. What examples are there? Hebridean Chocolates (Stornoway), The Big Issue, Kibble (Paisley), The Engine Shed (Edinburgh), The Wise Group (Glasgow), Aberdeen Foyer, Bookdonors (Scottish Borders), Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus, Centre of Health and Wellbeing, Link Group Ltd (Edinburgh), Impact Arts, Skye Permaculture Ltd, Institute of Local Television, Media Co-op and North Glasgow Housing Association.
3. What is Social Enterprise Scotland? We are the national collective voice for social enterprise in Scotland. We bring together social enterprises and their supporters into a strong campaigning force for change, to represent the full range of social enterprises. We raise the profile of social enterprise as a dynamic business model, champion the values and benefits of social enterprise to a broad range of stakeholders and represent the needs and views of social enterprise to policy and decision-makers in Scotland. We are an independent and Scottish membership-led organisation. Membership is open to all social enterprises, their networks and intermediaries and supporters. www.socialenterprise.scot.