3 Feb 2012

Building Lives CIC has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, which proves they are in business to help society and protect the environment.

The Social Enterprise Mark Company is the only authority which certifies genuine social enterprises, having society and the environment at the heart of the business. The Social Enterprise Mark will establish social enterprise as the business of choice for everyone, acting as a guarantee that a business is trading for people and planet.

Building Lives CIC joins other ethical businesses that have been recognised by being awarded the Mark such as the Age UK, Eden Project, and the Big Issue.  

Government data estimates that there are 62,000 social enterprises across the UK, contributing £24 billion to the economy and employing around 800,000 people. 

According to “Fightback Britain” (2011), a report from Social Enterprise UK and the Co-operative Bank, 82 per cent of social enterprises reinvest their profits locally, in the communities where they work. Compared with private companies, 58 per cent grew last year (28 per cent) and 39 per cent are working in the most deprived communities (13 per cent).

Social enterprises plough the majority of their profits back into activities that benefit people and planet, rather than just lining shareholders pockets.  Social enterprises are working to make a difference across the UK and beyond, but not enough people know what they are or how they work. The Social Enterprise Mark aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises do in order to get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises. 

Lucy Findlay, Managing Director, Social Enterprise Mark Company, advised:
“We are delighted to award the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark to Building Lives CIC.  Social enterprises come in all shapes and forms so it's great to see a vital, local training and employment provider understanding the importance of being part of the wider social enterprise movement.”