The Social Investment Business response to The Queen's Speech

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Commenting on plans to strengthen charities, co-operatives and social enterprises announced by the government in today’s Queen’s Speech, Jonathan Lewis chief executive of The Social Investment Business said:

“We welcome the new government’s ambitious plans for growing and strengthening civil society organisations. But deciding on a vision is in many ways the easy part – implementing it will be more challenging. We look forward to working closely with ministers to identify where charities, co-operatives and social enterprises can play an even greater role in improving their communities and delivering public services more effectively.

“Increasing the sustainability of civil society organisations so they can both deliver effective local services and benefit from investment in the form of public sector contracts is the key to realising the Big Society.

“But building a stronger civil society can’t happen spontaneously. Community groups can only flourish if they can rely on the support and expertise provided by people, like The Social Investment Business, who have a proven track record of helping such organisations become financially viable.

“We already work with civil society organisations to support them empowering local people, managing buildings at the heart of their communities and successfully bidding for contracts in their areas. And we led the way in creating 3SC, an innovative consortia of charities and social enterprises, which helps small organisations come together to deliver their excellent services to more people, while at the same time builds the capacity and sustainability of those same community groups. It’s clear from today’s Queen’s Speech that the government is keen to build on the work we have already started.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. For further information or interviews, please contact The Social Investment Business press office:

Liz Banks - 0207 842 7726/ 07809 504072  liz.banks@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Nicola Jones - 0207 842 7755 nicola.jones@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

2. The Social Investment Business, the fastest growing social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. We help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking.

www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org @TheSocialInvest

3. The Social Investment Business manages Government funds on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government, with over 1,000 active investments. These range from £3,600 to help a small organisation bid successfully for a public sector contract, to £6.7million to help a large national charity establish and develop innovative new services for children and young people.