At HW Facilities we are dedicated to providing quality service, whilst making positive changes to our interaction with the environment and society. One of the biggest ways we do this is by working with social enterprises.

What is a social enterprise?

Social enterprises:

• are businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. There are more than 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, with a collective turnover of £78 billion and employing around 2.3 million people.
• demonstrate a better way to do business, one that prioritises benefit to people and planet and uses the majority of any profit to further their mission.
• contribute to reducing economic inequality, improving social justice, and environmental sustainability.
  

To be a social enterprise a business must:

• Have a clear social or environmental mission set out in its governing documents and be controlled in the interest of that mission.
• Be independent of state or government control, and earn more than half of its income through trading.
• Re-invest or donate at least half of its profits or surpluses towards their mission.
• Be transparent in the way they operate and the impact they have.

Grace Enterprises, founded by Matt Parfitt, follows this mission.

“Grace Enterprises is growing a network of social enterprises to provide supportive employment for those with multiple barriers to work.”

Two of Grace Enterprises social enterprises are:

• Radiant Cleaners, a social enterprise supporting anyone facing major barriers to work by providing cleaning jobs
• Half the Story, biscuits that change lives

We started working last year with Radiant Cleaners. “A particular highlight has been placing two cleaners at a client’s flagship Nottingham office, as part of a pioneering multi-organisation partnership.” (Radiant Cleaners Website)

This partnership has been an opportunity to provide work to two Ukrainian refugees, and has proved to be a very successful initiative for all parties involved.

How does it work?
Social enterprises operate in different ways, but all share a common purpose. Like any other business, they seek to make a profit and succeed commercially. But how they operate, who they employ, how they use their profits and where they work is transforming lives and communities across the UK and around the world.

About Radiant Cleaners

“In an industry where most workers are paid the minimum wage, Radiant Cleaners is different. We are a real Living Wage employer. We provide training and support. We pay holiday pay and sick pay. Put simply, we aim to look after our employees in the way that we would all want to be treated. This means we have a highly motivated workforce, who are part of a genuine team.

“We are:
• a real Living Wage employer
• a member of Social Enterprise UK
• a registered Clean Sheet employer”

Beyond supporting an enterprise with such a positive mission, working with a social enterprise is a way to increase social value. Using social value across public and private sector procurement can drive improvement and greater sustainability in businesses and markets in the UK, transforming public services and accelerating the drive to Net Zero.

What does it address?
Radiant Cleaners exists to provide life-changing jobs to those facing major barriers to work. These barriers might include:
• alcohol and substance misuse,
• homelessness,
• mental and physical health struggles,
• or previous involvement in the justice system.
Refugees and those with language barriers have also been employed.

While the company provides excellent cleaning services, it’s not just about the cleaning – it’s about the real lives being transformed through fair and supportive employment.

How does it make a difference?
“Now I’ve got a job my life is a lot better, I’m not isolated, I have the chance to get out and meet different people. I feel like someone again. My confidence is a lot better, I’m more positive, I’ve got more hope.” Sarah, one of Grace Enterprises first employees

More than the job it creates, social enterprises change lives, in the case of Grace Enterprise, supporting people back into employment.
A Grace Enterprises job is more than just a job. They offer holistic support through regular reviews, signposting and optional mentoring for all employees.

Our experience with social enterprise
HW Facilities believe that diversifying our suppliers and supporting social enterprises is key for a sustainable future, and are looking forward to expanding our work with social enterprises.

We also work with:

Hey Girls: revolutionising period products and donating 100% of their profit to funding the fight to eradicate period poverty.

Serious Tissues: tackling climate change and deforestation through sustainable washroom products. 50% of profits go towards environmental purpose through their extensive tree planting programme, and recovering ocean bound plastic.