Birmingham-based charity tackling unemployment celebrates Social Enterprise Day

Birmingham-based charity Jericho celebrated Social Enterprise Day as part of global recognition of the value of the community-based movements.

JERICHO, who operate seven social enterprises to provide work opportunities for people who face significant challenges in getting a job, used the day to raise awareness of social enterprise and the difference it makes.

Social enterprises are businesses that work to achieve positive social or environmental impact. They are primarily motivated, designed and driven by a desire to make a positive difference in the world.

Like all businesses, social enterprises seek to deliver profit by trading in goods or services, but they reinvest or donate at least half of those profits to their social or environmental mission.

Social Enterprise Day took place earlier this month and marked a global event celebrating the invaluable contribution social enterprises make to communities and the environment worldwide.

JERICHO, who recently celebrated 30 years of changing lives, operate seven social enterprises across Birmingham – Jericho Cleaning, Jericho Construction, Jericho Workspace, Miracle Laundry, The ReUsers, The Wood Shack and ChangeKitchen. It was named in the UK’s top 100 social enterprises in this year’s NatWest SE100 and is one of more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing an estimated £60 billion annually to the economy.

JERICHO is a member of Social Enterprise UK, the national membership body for social enterprises. CEO Peter Holbrook said: “Social Enterprise Day is a celebration of the great work social enterprises up and down the country are doing to protect our environment and support communities in need.

“Where we spend our money can make change happen, and with social enterprises, you can be sure that your purchase will make a real difference.”

Pictured: An apprentice based in JERICHO's Wood Shack social enterprise