Enterprising Solutions: Emmaus highlights value of Social Firms

Emmaus will be highlighting the contribution of social firms in helping homeless and unemployed people at the Social Firms Conference “Work and Jobs: Enterprising Solutions” at the University of Leicester today.

"With unemployment at a record high, we need creative solutions that offer meaningful work and enable people to rebuild their self respect", explains Adrian Wiltshire of Emmaus UK. "Social firms like Emmaus provide a great return on investment as they are not only economically sustainable but also make a real, direct impact on people's lives."

Emmaus Communities provide a home and work to people who are homeless, vulnerably housed or excluded, and enable them to help others in need. Together the residents live and work at Emmaus Communities selling re-used furniture and electrical goods. Last year Emmaus Communities provided a home to over 532 men and women, who together :

  • generated over £4 million in revenue,
  • provided families in poverty with low cost furniture,
  • saved over 3000 tonnes from going to landfill,
  • donated over 3.5 years of volunteer time (6191hrs) and over £150,000 in financial contributions to other causes

A social firm is a type of social enterprise; at least 25% of their workforce must be disadvantaged. Social Firms generate more social impact per £1 invested than other organisations.

How do Social Firms add value? Have your say!

We are setting those at the Conference a challenge - to describe how Social Firms add value.
So have a go, tell us why Social Firms are great:

Published on 12th July, 2012

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