In the absence of giving a loved one a hug, a physical gift is the next best thing. To double the love, send a present from a social enterprise – supporting communities in need while also letting somebody know you’re thinking of and missing them.
Food and Drink
- Diaspo is an online platform running live cooking classes, taught by expert home cooks sharing their decades of experience. Diaspo unlocks the older generation's treasure trove of cooking
- The social enterprise brewery provides paid work and training opportunities for people with learning disabilities. The model is simple: the more beers sold, the more jobs created.
- The sustainable London-based tea company supports refugees into work and society. The teabags and packaging are completely biodegradable too, leaving no trace on the planet while giving refugees the work, language, and skills they need to settle into making the UK their home.
- Abi Ramanan, her mother and her aunt serve delicious home-made South Indian pickles, cater events and serve food at pop-ups and street food markets. Based in London, they are supporting women who relocated to the UK following the conflict in Sri Lanka through meaningful work, a London living wage and flexibility to suit each individuals’ needs.
- Coventry-based Proof Bakery create fulfilling jobs for refugees, building a business that provides a sense of dignity, purpose and belonging for their bakers. While providing flexible, supportive employment and coaching, they also make delicious breads. Gift a bread subscription, sourdough home baking kit, a donation to their local foodbank, or an online class for a delicious treat that is both belly and heart-filling.
- Coffee to invigorate more than just the drinker, Second Shot Coffee employ people who have been affected by homelessness, providing training and support to help them find long-term employment and stability.
- Jane and Jane are the founders of Step and Stone, and both mothers to children with Down Syndrome. Their handmade lavosh flatbreads are made by young people with learning disabilities, helping to develop their skills and confidence so they can eventually find employment in the mainstream catering world.
Together: Our Community Cookbook
- The Hubb Community Kitchen is a group of women who have come together to prepare fresh food for their local community. After being displaced following the Grenfell tower fire, some of the local women needed a place to cook fresh food for their families. The women launched Together: Our Community Cookbook, with the support of The Royal Foundation, to help fund the Hubb Community Kitchen.
Lifestyle
- Clothing from Birdsong is truly ethical – from their textiles to their shipping. Their beautiful garments are made by expert makers who face barriers to employment in the UK, all paid the London living wage.
- A social enterprise aiming to make psychological therapy accessible for Black and Asian Minority Ethnic individuals and all individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, with professionals who they can relate to. Buy one of their wellbeing planners, mental health eBooks, or download their free five ways to wellbeing guide too.
- Lapapo is an online store and support service for parents or carers of children with additional needs, selling quality products curated by need, and a space for carers to support each other too.
- A unique florist that makes flowers which last forever. By selling handmade paper flowers, they employ women who have experienced domestic abuse, providing them with an income while helping build skills for future careers.
- The online store works with a range of organisations across the UK to source beautiful gifts, with partnerships based on two simple principles: The partners create high quality products that create educational, training or employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties, disabilities or life challenges.
- Social Supermarket is on a mission to make it easier for the day to day consumer to find and buy from social enterprises. The online shopping platform’s digital shelves are full of social enterprises, many of which are our award winners too.
- The online store sells high-quality, end-of-line sportswear and products at affordable prices, helping young adults with physical and learning difficulties build the skills, confidence and self-esteem for sustainable and long-term employment.
- The social enterprise refurbishes donated bikes and gifts them to refugees in London and Birmingham a free. The bikes offer a sustainable and empowering way to access essential resources and services such as education, healthcare and psychological support. In addition to their Bike Buddies befriending service, supporters can connect with the venture by purchasing bikes, accessories, clothing, or maintenance with them.
While there are many incredible products to buy from social enterprises, a donation to their venture is always appreciated too. Do you #BuySocial? Share your purchases with the #BuySocial hashtag, and tag @UnLtd in your posts too.