Social Enterprises

36% of people in Hackney are living in poverty. (Trust for London, 2020) 

The opposite of poverty is not wealth but empowerment within an inclusive economy

The local Hackney economy does not have the structural capacity to provide all its local residents with work (ONS jobs density estimate for Hackney = 0.77 - 0.76, 2000-2020)

Social enterprises employ more staff, survive longer, serve the common good and tend to employ staff experiencing social exclusion (SE-UK 2018).

HCD supports the development of a local social enterprise ecosystem with over 380 social enterprises.

Over 200 social enterprises participated in a programme of networking, training and one-to-one coaching offered by HCD in 2019 and, despite the Covid 19 crisis, a similar number engaged in our support programmes in 2020.

More than 2000 people received an income that supports their livelihoods directly through employment by our local social enterprise ecosystem in 2020.

The local social enterprise ecosystem is currently growing at over 90 new enterprises a year.

A Social Enterprise is a business that trades to achieve a social and/or environmental purpose, on an individual, community or global level. Social enterprises should generate most of their income through trade, not funding, by selling goods or services in the open market, and have clear rules on how profits are reinvested into their social mission.

Hackney Co-operative Developments formed in 1979 to assist people into co-operative enterprises and this remains a primary focus of our organisation. For over 40 years, we have led the way for business growth and economic regeneration in Hackney, supporting co-operatives, social enterprises and locally-owned businesses through consultancy, training, incubation and providing suitable premises to grow businesses.

HCD has extensive experience in delivering support to co-operatives, social and community enterprises, through funded schemes such as our Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney programme and through directly paid for services.

We offer support in all areas of co-operative, social and community enterprise including business planning, governance, finance, environmental sustainability, fundraising, legal advice, marketing, property management, investment readiness, decision-making and social return on investment.

With over 40 years experience of working with local authorities, government agencies and community sector organisations to reclaim the commons, deliver sustainable development and regeneration projects has led to a positive change in the economic development and urban landscape of Dalston, Hackney.

We can share the expertise we have developed in our work in new-build and rehabilitating buildings into a vibrant and extensive property portfolio of workspace and community assets, as well as leading on the development and management of new public spaces.

We advise on all areas of fundraising and social investment, including supporting clients with bid-writing and developing Community Share Offers.

We help clients develop effective partnership work to tackle social problems, realise market opportunities and build support from the local community through outreach and engagement.

We can help you to develop the systems that will measure what is important to your organisation, and effectively demonstrate your impact to all of your stakeholders, including current and potential funders, your local community, your beneficiaries and even your own Board and team.

We are highly experienced facilitators, mentors and trainers offering group or one-to-one support.