Social Firms

Our assessment for Social Firms has now been completed and we’re delighted to be accepted as full members of Social Firms UK, a charity formed in 1999 to lead the development of the Social Firms sector in the UK. Acceptance as a full member is recognition of the fact that RBLI operates under the Social Firms model. Not only does this formally acknowledge that our values and objectives in terms of our beneficiaries are at the forefront of our business but it opens up a range of marketing potential, such as the Social Firms Trade Directory which is actively promoted to and accessed by Organisations wishing to include Social Firms as part of their supply chains to buy quality products and meet some of their corporate social responsibilities. It also gives us access to advice on developing new activities within the business under a social firms model, helping with advice on set up funding etc.

Formal membership recognises the following:

• That we trade for social purposes and any profits we make are reinvested back into the business to help us achieve our social purpose
• One of our main social purposes is to create real, good quality jobs with opportunities for training and development to severely disadvantaged people, in a commercially focused environment

The Social Firms have three values:

• Enterprise (at least 50% of the turnover must be gained from commercial activity)
• Employment (at least 25% of the workforce will be severely disadvantaged in an open labour market)
• Empowerment (commitment to social and economic integration of disadvantaged in an open labour market)

Recognition from Social Firms UK confirms our belief in focussing on successful outcomes for our beneficiaries. It is also full alignment with our strategy to develop our Social Enterprises to benefit even more people.