Emily Darko

Voice, agency and investment How alternative economic models can spread wealth and power more equitably

Alternative economic models can spread wealth and power more equitably in response to rising discontent with the status quo. We need to champion voice, agency and investment. @compassoffice.bsky.social @pdiviews.bsky.social @socialenterpriseuk.bsky.social

Social enterprise for breakfast in Westminster this morning - hearing from Early Years Minister Stephen Morgan, Baroness Thornton & Social Enterprise Early Years Collective on solutions to government’s commitment to deliver inclusive EY provision as the foundation for social & economic growth

It’s here – Applications for the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2025 are now open!

Join the country’s biggest celebration of the sector recognising the strength and diversity of the social enterprise community.

Highlight the powerful change your business makes today - buff.ly/soXeZqR

This short Open University survey is part of a study gathering feedback on how social enterprises are adopting AI in their operations.
Please share your experiences:
openbusinessschool.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
@openuniversity.bsky.social @socialenterpriseuk.bsky.social #SocEnt

The 2025 state of social enterprise survey closes tonight!
If you’re a UK social enterprise and yet to complete, please do today! Thanks 🙏

We obsess over the angry young men going Reform. But what of the anxious young women going Green? | Gaby Hinsliff Desire for a politics that cares about global and local injustice is sharpening the political gender divide, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

‘Almost a quarter of women aged 18 to 24 voted Green last July, roughly double the number of young men who voted Reform’ - but we never hear about that! Why?

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I guess that’s how the model can work. But does raise money for charity?
I planned my win with zero intention of buying a ticket 🙃

Yeah, but I still want to win it and stay in it a couple of weekends before selling it!

Mansplaining, explained in one simple chart Kim Goodwin was asked to help some colleagues tell if they were being helpful or condescending. So she created a simple chart – which went unexpectedly viral.

Mansplaining for beginners (and pros!)…
Resisting the urge to tag a couple of people 🙃

www.bbc.com/worklife/art...

Quote from Tom Pollard, head of social policy: Today’s assessment confirms that ill and disabled people will see cuts to benefits amounting to around £6.5bn a year by 2029-30. Yet the Department for Work and Pensions and the Office for Budget Responsibility between them have not yet been able to forecast any impact on employment outcomes. The government’s narrative to justify benefit cuts for ill and disabled people has completely fallen apart – it is clearer than ever that the real driver has been pressure to meet an arbitrary savings target.

This government's attempt to justify cutting benefits has completely fallen apart. They're slashing support for ill and disabled people to meet their arbitrary fiscal rules.

@pollardtom.bsky.social reacts to the cuts announced in the spring statement

Declaring herself 'a big believer in social enterprises' @georgiagould.bsky.social shared that the potential of the new Procurement Act has captured the imagination of Cabinet Office colleagues and that she's personally very interested in how to scale social innovation. ✊

How the Butterfly Project is taking care to women in prisons Social enterprises in health and social care do things differently. Find out how Spectrum set up a service taking care to women in prison

The percentage of women prisoners at HMP Styal getting cervical screening has risen from 64% to 90%. How has this been achieved? In the next few weeks, together with @thekingsfund.bsky.social and @Baxendale, we'll be sharing healthcare innovations producing incredible results

‘There is no neutral position: Funders, if you do not start treating Black-led organisations with the same respect, trust and investment that other organisations receive, you are actively choosing to uphold inequality’

Competition to collaboration - and recognising the contributions of social enterprises… Yep!
We’re launching case studies later today of solutions to achieving community, prevention, and digital by #socent providers

A text box which read: "Indeed, it was their social focus, commitment to their communities, and ethical approach, which alongside their ability to problem solve and reshape their offers, allowed them to continue to deliver support. - Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Paterson-Young

When the pandemic hit, what impact did it have on social enterprises?

Five years on from the first lockdown, we may have some answers, according to new academic research from the University of Northampton’s Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Paterson-Young

Read more: buff.ly/rDnJnNh

The Heathrow shut down reminds us that shocks will keep coming. Some business models are inherently more resilient…

Just Stop Oil protester, 78, who was returned to jail as no tag fitted her, on her life inside Gaie Delap on the shocking failures in healthcare and support she saw in jail, and how she coped with being there

The state of our criminal justice system - sent back in prison because no wrist tag fit her?! Serco contract I think…
Not to mention she’s 78, sentenced to longer for a climate protest than some get for rape.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Agree. It’s not cheap but it’s great quality food, and a business model working for its staff and wider social benefit.
Winkworth is up the road, why don’t they get graffitied?! Million quid 3-bed houses are surely more of an issue than £5 pastries. Not that it’s their fault either…

A photo of Rebecca Smith from Social Enterprise Kent. Text reads: "Filling in the State of Social Enterprise survey will take up less than 1% of your working week - but your answers will have 100% impact with those in power."

Social enterprises: your voice matters. We thank everyone who’s taken the State of Social Enterprise so far – but with only a third of responses received, we still need your help.

Let’s use the full power of our purpose-led community to influence this vital work: buff.ly/buJ4Oem

A yellow graphic with a picture of Patrick Hurley MP in the corner. Quote in middle reads: "The time is therefore right to see if the regulatory systems, the legislative environment, and the funding landscape are what the sector needs for the next 10-15 years."

What are the government’s plans for growing the social economy space?

As discussions continue about creating a more diverse business sector, we hear from Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group Chair Patrick Hurley MP.
Read more: buff.ly/5BOvShZ

Tired of ‘business as usual’? Curious about working somewhere with purpose?

Browse our jobs board for your next #SocialEnterprise opportunity.

Visit our website to see the latest vacancies: www.socialenterprise.org.uk/jobs/

#UK #socialenterprises your views are required!

Make sure your voice is heard! 📣📣📣 Politicians and decision-makers need to know how vital social enterprises are for a fairer, more sustainable society. Fill in the State of Social Enterprise survey today! #socialenterprise #socent surveys.bmgresearch.co.uk/wix/8/p46316...

Looking forward to supporting this work at @socialenterpriseuk.bsky.social with sector friends

We’re proud to welcome Cabinet Office Minister and social value advocate Georgia Gould MP as a keynote speaker for the ninth Social Value Leaders’ Summit.

Discover the full programme - www.socialenterprise.org.uk/social-value...

And read more here: www.thenews.coop/how-cross-pa... @coopnews.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @cooperativesuk.bsky.social @bettersocietycapital.com @the-sse.org
#SocialEnterprise #coops

You may have heard about our new The Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group – but what does it do?

Read our handy explainer about who’s in the group, what they’re working on and how it will benefit the sector: www.socialenterprise.org.uk/news/get-to-...

I made a typo writing this post… look what my iPhone suggested as autocorrect 🤦🏻‍♀️ 🙄

Happy #InternationalWomensDay