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Issue:- 12 September 2014

Merseyside celebrates Social on 13 September 2014!

THIS Saturday, 13 September 2014, is the UK's first Social Saturday; a day to raise awareness and boost the numbers of consumers buying from social enterprises. Social enterprises are businesses that have a positive impact on communities and the environment. The day also celebrates the fact that the UK has the world's largest social enterprise sector.

Research released by Social Enterprise UK and the Cabinet Office shows that British adults are concerned about where and how they buy products and services. In the North West, 43% of people think there should be more socially responsible businesses to buy from.

In Liverpool Social Enterprise, The Brink, is holding a barbecue and vintage fair with DJs on Social Saturday. The Brink is an alcohol free café on Parr Street, which uses its profits to support those who have suffered with addictions.

Affiliated to Action on Addiction, The Brink offers group treatments and one to one counselling, all made possible by the profits from sales in the café which has an extensive menu and lively events programme.

The menu uses the best, locally sourced ingredients and has a huge range of non-alcoholic drinks. The Brink works closely with local artists, musicians and poets to put on a wide range of events. These include guitar lessons, a free film club, family Sundays and a book club.

David Barnicle, Events and Engagement Manager at The Brink, says:- "The Brink is Liverpool's first dry bar, and a true social enterprise, whereby profits from the café are used to benefit the community, allowing us to offer counselling and help to those who need it.  This Saturday we are hosting a vintage fair with a DJ. I will be manning the barbecue flipping burgers and everyone is welcome to come along."

Belgravia House of Gifts (BHG) is another of the City's social enterprises, selling luxury hampers and gourmet gifts using ethically sourced ingredients, which are then packaged in the community, offering business skills and creative therapy to socially isolated women and providing them with a safe place to meet.

Bayo Jide, Founder of BHG, says:- "We think of our products as the gift that keeps giving. We are a member of Social Enterprise UK and work with 4Wings to help provide employment, skills building and creativity sessions to isolated women; as well as using products in our new gourmet gift boxes that are also from social enterprise companies such as Ethical Edibles and The Tea People. We think Social Enterprise is the way forward and are proud to support Social Saturday."

The UK wide research for Social Saturday which surveyed 2,070 British adults, examined how consumers feel about the behaviour of businesses. The results uncover that many British people have strong views about buying from businesses known to be irresponsible:-

35% said they feel ashamed when buying from businesses they feel are socially irresponsible; more women than men feel this way (40% vs 30%)

► 40% said they don't feel there are enough socially responsible businesses to buy from in the UK

► 26% said that there is a stigma attached to buying from socially irresponsible businesses

► 14% people aged 25 to 39 said they hide from friends that they buy from socially irresponsible businesses

► 18% said they would be put off a romantic partner if he or she regularly bought products or services from socially irresponsible businesses

This shows that British people value businesses with a strong ethical and community focus. The Government estimates that there are now 180,000 social enterprises in the UK (15% of SMEs), contributing billions to the economy and employing more than 2 million people. Well known brands include The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, Better leisure centres, Pants to Poverty, Divine Chocolate and Belu Water. All are businesses that reinvest profits into a social cause, from employing and training people furthest from the job market, to profits going to support charities.

This Social Saturday, 13 September 2014, will encourage the British public to 'buy social' and social enterprises around the country are opening their doors and hosting events There is also now a range of ways that people can invest their money to further support social enterprises. People can find out more and buy online at:- socialsaturday.org.uk.

Brooks Newmark MP, Minister for Civil Society, said:- "A staggering 82% of social enterprises reinvest their profits locally and Social Saturday is an opportunity for people across the country to explore the breadth of this vibrant and growing sector. There is clearly a demand for people to buy social and there are now more ways than ever for people to invest socially as well.".

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said:- "Every product and service you buy has a social or environmental impact, so why not make it a good one? The UK's social enterprise sector is growing fast because consumers care about how their spending decisions affect the world they live in."

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