HOW SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SAVES YOU MONEY

As I was contemplating writing this, one of our trainees popped into my office. 

Michelle had been on one of New Start Highland’s training programmes in the hope of re-entering the job market. She recently had an interview for a job and told me that the interview seemed to go well, although she said it wasn’t easy to tell. “I’ve thought as much before, only to hear that I’d been beaten by a more experienced candidate. This time though, I felt a lot more confident and that's due to all the help and experience I've had from everyone at New Start."

I’m delighted to say that Michelle got the job and starts on Monday morning. Seeing this type of change in someone’s life is what thrills me most about my job.

Unfortunately, unemployed people and benefit claimants are often demonised. It never ceases to disappoint me when some of the media and some politicians exploit these people’s situation for political gain or viewing figures.  The reality is that Michelle is typical of the people that we work with as oppose to those typecast in programmes like the recent ‘Benefits Street’, where it has appeared from the comments, that true representation has not been achieved.   

Despite often not being considered motivated, most people concerned, when given the opportunity to earn money instead of claiming benefits, would jump at the chance. I have said before that “at the heart of every person there’s a natural desire to work.” Assistance with job seeking and skills training can see huge benefits not only for the individual involved but also the broader economic situation.

Iain and Sue from New Start Gardens.

While we love to see lives blossom, we must also be aware that the country is in recession. It is our responsibility to focus our efforts to ensure that we save our country money as well. By doing business while focussing on positive social outcomes, social enterprises aren’t only good for communities, but are also good for the ever shrinking public purse.  Preventative services, like those delivered by some social enterprises, reduce long term costs by limiting the strain on public cash when it is at its most precious. 

How?

New Start Highland offers training in a wide range of things, like Forklift Truck Training.

Well it is evident that the figures stack up and make financial sense. By giving someone the assistance they need to re-enter work after long term unemployment, or by training people to achieve qualifications that can place them in a stronger position for gaining work, social enterprises are also creating economic benefits. Supporting individuals into the job market, not only assists them in personal growth but also into paying taxes. The economic costs of this to society far overbalance the costs of keeping social enterprises viable within our communities.  Our training programme has a success rate that surpasses that of the Work Programme by up to 700%.

I recently wrote in a piece for the Scotsman that one of Scotland’s most expensive problems is unemployment.

“Through social enterprise we can, not only find a long term solution to unemployment, but make significant, positive changes in people’s lives. This is not done simply for profit, but rather a desire to make our country a better place with an added economic value. 

It may not be a quick fix or politically fashionable but the basis of a social enterprise is to engage with one person at a time. The benefits of this are far-reaching - and most importantly it works. Through support by the business structure of a social enterprise people become their own biggest asset and a positive contributor to society, economy and more importantly themselves."  

What do you think? Please let me know. 

Dale and Steven from New Start Bikes who recently achieved their Velotech Gold Bike Mechanic qualification.