Salford consumers and businesses are being encouraged to spend their money at social enterprises.
This week Social Enterprise UK are trying to raise awareness of these organisations so that people can buy their everyday items whilst at the same time helping their community.
Social enterprises are businesses and charities that aim to have a positive societal impact by reinvesting or donating their profits.
Liam is a companion at Emmaus Salford – an independent charity aiming to help people who have been homeless by providing them with a home and work in the community – and has been living there full time since the beginning of August, as well as working in their shop during the week.
He came to Emmaus after becoming homeless and says that they have offered him a chance to get “into a daily routine of work instead of just flitting between jobs.”
“I went to a GP to ask for some drug counselling, they said come back in six months. When I came here within a couple of weeks I’ve been signed up.”
Liam says he found that Emmaus acts as a “hub for the community” especially for the elderly and those suffering from financial problems.
He believes that charities such as Emmaus are important as: “In this current climate there’s a lot of people who are struggling” with many often struggling in silence.
He also says that charities often “provide a lot more help than maybe the face value of the charity shows,” in particular the impact they can have on their community.
He explained: “There’s other communities and charities in the local area and we kind of bounce off each other.
“If we’ve got something we’re not going to use then we should always give it to someone who needs it.”
Emmaus has helped Liam access help from crucial social services, he said: “I went to a GP to ask for some drug counselling, they said come back in six months. When I came here within a couple of weeks I’ve been signed up.”
In 2016 Emmaus Salford were awarded with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Salford has a history of social enterprise, being designated the North West’s first “Social Enterprise Place” in 2015 by Social Enterprise UK.
• Learn more about the Buy Social for a Better World at the Social Enterprise website and through the video above featuring Michael Sheen and Caitlin Moran.
Recent Comments