Plan to boost Plymouth’s ethical businesses as part of Covid recovery

Plymouth Social Enterprise Network (PSEN) is launching its Social Enterprise Strategy – a five-year plan to boost Plymouth’s economy through the greater use and support of social enterprises, helping to create a greener and fairer post-Covid economy. The plan aims to retain and build on Plymouth’s reputation as the UK’s leading social enterprise city.

PSEN Board Member, Gareth Hart, said: “We want to build upon our achievements so far, develop these and go into whole new areas such as technology and digital. Social enterprise seems to answer many of the questions being raised as people look towards a post-Covid society.

PSEN Board Member Gareth Hart

“The social economy shows how businesses can create value for communities and individuals, making our city and the wider world a better place to live and work in.”

The five priorities highlighted in the strategy are underpinned by the belief that a prosperous economy can also support a community, tackling deep-rooted social and environmental problems.

Plymouth became one of the UK’s first Social Enterprise Cities in 2013, recognizing the scope, depth, and activities of the social enterprise community in the city. Since then, there has been a significant international interest with people from Sweden, South Africa, Jamaica, Italy and others visiting Plymouth to find out more about our success. The five year plan will help to ensure that the city retains its place as the UK’s leading social enterprise city.

Gareth continued: “Social enterprise has become better understood and respected in Plymouth, but there is more to do. Social enterprises need more support, the general public need to be made more aware of what they can achieve and young people need to be inspired if we want a more compassionate, fairer, more diverse and more environmentally sustainable society.”

The strategy priorities will be reviewed at least annually by PSEN and their partners to assess emerging themes and to make sure the strategy is still addressing the needs of local social enterprise.

The strategy will be launched on Monday 16^th November as part of Plymouth’s Social Enterprise City Festival, which consists of over 20 online and in-person events on the theme of ‘Educating the Economy.’