Social Enterprise in Thanet
Written by Matt B · first published 08/01/2008
No, this is not some unreleased episode of Star Trek but a different way of doing business. A social enterprise is one that has been established with the aim of improving society. We have such things within Thanet if only you look in the right place.
SureStart Millmead is a Community Mutual and a social enterprise. It started trading as an independent organisation in April 2006. In this article I will be taking a brief look at the Millmead SureStart community mutual and how it is different to other forms of business.
SureStart Community Mutual is “...a company limited by shares – it is owned by its shareholders (members who are parents in the Children's Centre area and staff members).” (Millmead Children's Centre Partnership Ltd, Core Offer Special Edition 2007, Page 8).
Like any mutual society there is no responsibility to return ever increasing amounts of funds to shareholders. All moneys are retained by the company (shareholders draw no dividends) and used to advance the aims and objectives of the society. The company is equally controlled by each member having a single vote. Key decisions are made at an annual General meeting and can include the election of a board consisting of members and executives.
What this means is that much like a cooperative the company is run by the members for the benefit of the members. SureStart is not quite like this. Being a social enterprise means that its prime focus is the society around it. SureStart documentation cites both Cafedirect and The Big Issue as two such social enterprises.
As a company they have established four “trading wings” (a semi autonomous entity established with the intention of running profitably). These are the: Riverbank Out of School Club, Meadow Nursery, The Community Café and the Children's Centre itself.
These businesses by their existence enable SureStart to offer a large number of free services. These include the Children's Library (that I have written about before) as well as: A Parent and Toddler Group, The Community Allotment Project, Breast Buddies (breast feeding support), Wrap Around Teams, Infant Massage, The Home Safety Equipment Scheme for Thanet and Smoking Cessation to name just a few.
If you are interested in membership of the community mutual it will cost you a one time fee of one pound (£1). Simply phone SureStart on 280555 and state that you would like to become a member. Alternatively you can drop in to the centre which is along the Dane Valley Road in Margate. (The postcode for use on mapping programs is CT9 3RU).
SureStart Millmead is a Community Mutual and a social enterprise. It started trading as an independent organisation in April 2006. In this article I will be taking a brief look at the Millmead SureStart community mutual and how it is different to other forms of business.
SureStart Community Mutual is “...a company limited by shares – it is owned by its shareholders (members who are parents in the Children's Centre area and staff members).” (Millmead Children's Centre Partnership Ltd, Core Offer Special Edition 2007, Page 8).
Like any mutual society there is no responsibility to return ever increasing amounts of funds to shareholders. All moneys are retained by the company (shareholders draw no dividends) and used to advance the aims and objectives of the society. The company is equally controlled by each member having a single vote. Key decisions are made at an annual General meeting and can include the election of a board consisting of members and executives.
What this means is that much like a cooperative the company is run by the members for the benefit of the members. SureStart is not quite like this. Being a social enterprise means that its prime focus is the society around it. SureStart documentation cites both Cafedirect and The Big Issue as two such social enterprises.
As a company they have established four “trading wings” (a semi autonomous entity established with the intention of running profitably). These are the: Riverbank Out of School Club, Meadow Nursery, The Community Café and the Children's Centre itself.
These businesses by their existence enable SureStart to offer a large number of free services. These include the Children's Library (that I have written about before) as well as: A Parent and Toddler Group, The Community Allotment Project, Breast Buddies (breast feeding support), Wrap Around Teams, Infant Massage, The Home Safety Equipment Scheme for Thanet and Smoking Cessation to name just a few.
If you are interested in membership of the community mutual it will cost you a one time fee of one pound (£1). Simply phone SureStart on 280555 and state that you would like to become a member. Alternatively you can drop in to the centre which is along the Dane Valley Road in Margate. (The postcode for use on mapping programs is CT9 3RU).
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