Social Enterprise
What is a Social Enterprise?
A Social Enterprise is a business that tackles social problems, improves communities, enhances people’s life chances, or benefits the environment. Like any business, it trades by selling goods or services. However, its key difference lies in reinvesting profits into achieving social aims, rather than distributing them to shareholders.
Social Enterprises can operate under various legal structures, including Community Interest Companies (CIC), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), and Community Benefit Societies (CBS). For advice on legal structures, contact our Social Enterprise Development Officer (details below).
Examples of Social Enterprises include Big Issue, Oxfam, and the Eden Project. Pembrokeshire is home to over 90 Social Enterprises, such as Get the Boys a Lift CIC, Value Independence CIC, Stackpole Walled Garden, and Pembrokeshire FRAME.
What support is available?
Through Pembrokeshire’s Catalysts for Care project, our Social Enterprise Catalyst offers free one-to-one support to individuals and groups. This helps explore and establish Social Enterprises that provide services aimed at keeping people well, active, and engaged in their communities. Under the Catalyst for Care project, there is a directory of all the services of Micro Enterprises and Social Enterprises in Pembrokeshire, you can access the directory here.
PAVS has established a Social Enterprise Network to:
- Connect with other social enterprises
- Access free support
- Form alliances within the sector
- Advance your project to the next level.
For details about the network or upcoming events, contact: Steffan Lemke-Elms Email: steffan.lemke-elms@pavs.org.uk
About Steffan Lemke-Elms
Steffan began his social enterprise journey in 2011, using seed funding from UnLtd to recycle abandoned Wellington boots from the Glastonbury Festival. This initiative led him to support and establish social enterprises in East Africa. Steffan later became a Prince’s Trust Ambassador and co-founded The Warren, a restaurant in Carmarthenshire, along with being on the board of the Nurture Centre. For the past six years, he has been a director at Glasbren Community Farm in Llansteffan. In addition, Steffan serves on the grant assessment panel for UnLtd, bringing his extensive experience to support emerging social enterprises.
Why become a Social Enterprise?
Wales’ health and social care system is transitioning from treating illness to promoting well-being and preventing ill-health. The Welsh Government has mandated local authorities to support Social Enterprises in delivering care, support, and preventative services for people of all ages.
This initiative aims to:
- Expand the variety of Social Enterprises in the social care sector
- Encourage innovation and creativity
- Build community resilience
Our Social Enterprise Catalyst supports community members in using their skills to address service gaps by:
- Accessing finance and funding opportunities
- Exploring business ideas and social aims
- Conducting feasibility studies and business planning
- Identifying suitable legal structures
Social Enterprise Manifesto
Social Enterprise Manifesto CWMPAS, in partnership with organisations like UnLtd and Social Firms Wales, has launched a Social Enterprise Manifesto. The manifesto highlights the vital role Social Enterprises played during the pandemic and outlines steps for the Welsh Government to support these businesses.
Manifesto-report-FINAL-ENG.pdf (wales.coop)
“Throughout the pandemic, social enterprises across Wales helped keep people in work and provided crucial community support and vital services.
We’ve outlined the steps that we believe the next Welsh Government should take in order to support us, and other social enterprises across Wales” Wales Co-operative Centre.
Podcast Episode: Running Social Enterprises – Listen Here
For further support or information, contact our Social Enterprise Development Officer: steffan.lemke-elms@pavs.org.uk
How to contact us
See our list of staff contact details and make direct contact with the person you need.
Alternatively our office phone line is open between 9am and 4pm each day on 01437 769422
Our generic email is enquiries@pavs.org.uk
Registered Office: 36/38 High Street
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 2DA
Office Hours
Our staff are now working in a hybrid way which means they may not be in the office, but working from other venues or home working. Due to changes in the way we now work, we are not holding meetings or running training events in person from our premises. However, if you wish to meet with a member of staff then please email them directly or call their business mobile number. The staff contact list is kept up to date with the most recent information.
If you do need to call at our premises, we are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 4.30pm on a Friday (except on Bank Holidays). Between 9am and 10am, and after 2pm, Monday to Thursday and all day Friday you may need to ring the bell (situated on the right hand side of the door). If you are just delivering mail, then please use the letter box on the front door.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
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