The top 100 social enterprises across the UK are being celebrated today with the announcement of this year’s NatWest SE100 list.
The SE100 list was selected according to several different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues – including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.
From a menstrual cup company addressing period poverty and tampon waste to a community hub that hosts activities to bring people of all ages together in an old fire station.
From a London-based social enterprise tackling homelessness by providing training and work in construction and film for people experiencing homelessness to a social enterprise, rooted in South Yorkshire, growing green spaces in urban places.
Social enterprises Asan Wellness UK, The Old Fire Station, Connection Crew and Stroud Grace Enterprises are just four of those who have been recognised this year.
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Ira Guha (left), the founder of Asan Wellness UK, hands an Asan cup to a woman. Guha created the period product at the Harvard Innovation Lab in 2020 to help solve period poverty and tampon waste. (Credit: Asan Wellness UK)
In her SE100 application, Ira Guha, the founder of Asan Wellness UK, said: “Few innovations in women’s health have reached lower-income populations in Asia and Africa. Over a billion women and girls globally still cannot access any type of period care. This prevents them from participating in essential daily activities, like going to school and work. Asan bridges this gap by making our innovative menstrual cup accessible to people from all backgrounds.”
Founded in 2020, Guha created the Asan cup – a reusable menstrual cup that lasts 10 years – after she heard a story about a woman who had to miss work when she was having her period.
The reusable cup reduces period product waste, and for every cup that is sold, Asan donates one to someone who cannot access period care.
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An event takes place at The Old Fire Station in Gipton. The converted fire station welcomes community members of all ages and backgrounds to socialize and relax. (Credit: The Old Fire Station)
The Old Fire Station is a decommissioned fire station in Gipton that was converted into a community space with a café and meeting spaces. Opening in 2017, the space has welcomed people from all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds.
Fran Etherington, The Old Fire Station development manager, said in her application to SE100: “Our venue acts as a focal point for residents, community organisations and charities to come together to provide activities, services, support, information and advice.”
Connection Crew has worked with nearly 500 people facing homelessness since 2005, offering them training, mentorship and living wage work in sectors including construction, facilities management and film and TV.
The company also places a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and environmental impact.
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A crew of workers from Connection Crew work on a project. Connection Crew provides work and training for homeless people. (Credit: Connection Crew)
Charlotte Scotland, marketing and data manager and sustainability champion at Connection Crew, said: “Connection Crew is a social enterprise rooted in practical action, and we see environmental progress as inseparable from our mission to build a fairer, more resilient future.”
The Green Estate CIC turns wasteland into parks and green spaces for nature to thrive and people to enjoy. Since 2003, the company has transformed 42 hectares of parkland and manages £9m of heritage buildings.
Roz Davies, CEO of The Green Estate CIC, said in her SE100 application: “Where old derelict buildings were considered a liability, there is now £9m-worth of heritage facilities. Where there was no-go wasteland with burnt-out cars and antisocial behaviour, there is now Green Flag Award-winning parklands, beautiful urban meadows, nature-based sustainable urban drainage systems and a circular economy green recycling unit. Where there was stigma, abandonment and disillusionment, there is now innovation, partnership and hope. We are inspiring others through demonstrating the art of the possible.”
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A team of people from The Green Estate CIC work on a project planting greenery in an urban area. The Green Estate CIC transforms wasteland into green spaces across the UK. (Credit: The Green Estate CIC)
The ‘extraordinary impact’ of social enterprises across the UK
The SE100 was created by Pioneers Post more than a decade ago in partnership with Social & Community Capital, the independent social investment charity set up by NatWest bank.
Victoria Papworth (pictured), CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “Each year, the SE100 list reminds us of the extraordinary impact that social enterprises have across the UK. These organisations are not only tackling some of society’s toughest challenges – they’re doing so with creativity, compassion, and lasting impact.”
Victoria Papworth speaking at the 2024 SE100 awards ceremony
To enter the SE100, applicants were asked to complete a detailed SE100 Social Business Survey, which was carried out online earlier this year.
The survey also collected data on how social businesses are performing, looking at areas such as growth and investment, as well as taking the temperature of how they are feeling about their prospects for future success. More details from this research will be revealed in Pioneers Post at a later date.
The NatWest SE100 also includes awards for leading social enterprises across seven categories. The finalists were announced last week and the winners will be revealed at a special awards evening hosted by NatWest in Manchester on 15 July. This will be a hybrid event delivered both in-person and online. You can register for the in-person event through the banner link at the top of this story, or you can sign up to join the Zoom webinar.
Papworth added: “Having recently marked our 25th anniversary at Social & Community Capital, we’re especially proud to have supported these awards for over a decade, celebrating the changemakers who inspire us year after year. Congratulations to this year’s SE100 – and to all those working tirelessly to make a difference.”
Asperger East Anglia Workshop Project
Clean Slate Training & Employment CIC
Diversify Education and Communities CIC
East Brighton Food Cooperative
Elevate Education Business Partnership
Health & Independent Living Support
Kaleido Arts for Wellbeing CIC
Leigh Film Society CIO (T/A Leigh Film Factory)
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise
People, Potential, Possibilities (T/A P3)
PIE: Pursuing Individual Excellence
The Old Fire Station (GFS Community Enterprise)
Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF)
You can read more about the NatWest SE100 in our SE100 Collection.
More questions? Read the NatWest SE100 Criteria and FAQ – or get in touch via SE100@pioneerspost.com
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The NatWest SE100 Index and Social Business Awards is an annual programme created and delivered by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital – and supported by Buzzacott, Hogan Lovells, Good Finance, Social Investment Business and Impact Reporting. The programme aims to list, celebrate and learn from the UK’s 100 most impressive social enterprises every year.
