Background

There is an increasing interest and level of activity around social enterprise and supported employment within the homelessness sector, as it is recognised that many homeless individuals are not ready for the ‘open’ labour market, although many are keen to work and be active/productive. There is a commitment amongst agencies to try and address these needs.

However, the sector as a whole is not necessarily experienced in ‘business’ or commercial ventures.  There is also a potential area for confusion about the objectives of projects being established – whilst using the term social enterprise, some are planning projects that are supported employment schemes. These things can be linked, but aren’t always. The vision, planning and business skills required for these ventures will help determine their longer-term viability and sustainability. However, business ventures aimed at supporting homeless individuals have the potential not just to fail like any other business, but could also then impact badly on people who are already vulnerable.

There is a social enterprise infrastructure in existence, but in some regions the infrastructure services and support are not targeted or taken up sufficiently, and as the homelessness sector can be working with very vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals, they may have to tackle different issues than others in the social enterprise field.

Project Summary

The 3xE Network will address these issues by bringing together organisations using social enterprise and/or supported employment models and organisations working with unemployed people who are homeless or at risk: to improve business skills and working practice; to develop and share resources; and to increase sustainability by maximising profit and by securing public and corporate funding.

The 3xE Network will operate in Year 1 in three English regions (London, East Midlands, South West), and will expand over Years 2 and 3, representing all nine regions by Year 4.  It will target regional infrastructure groups and local/regional employment, training and homelessness organisations. The project will deliver the following outputs:

• Training on supported employment and social enterprise, including structures and business planning;
• Bespoke business consultancy and/or signposting to regional development agencies and the private sector, and support for the development of business skills;
• Supply chain development between suppliers of products and services, as well as investigation into joint branding/the ethical consumer market;
• Regional seminars to debate and seek to influence policy;
• Research into kitemarks/ethical branding to endorse supported employment markets;
• Create and maintain a website to facilitate the flow and exchange of information, goods and services across the network;
• Cross-regional exchanges of project staff, trustees and/or beneficiaries to break down barriers, share good practice and to promote the project.

For further information, please contact Ian Perkins on 020 7089 2729 or email ianperkins@osw.org.uk.