As social enterprise becomes more trendy, will it become a victim of fashion? asks Vibeka Mair.
A funding adviser at a CVS told me that in recent months he has been getting more enquiries from the public about setting up a social enterprise, than about setting up a charity.
Most people who approach him are unemployed, have some experience in the social sector, and see social enterprise as a way to make a living, and do some good – but have no idea how to get started. He wishes, he says, the term had never been invented.
Worryingly, people who approach him for advice tend to believe social enterprises are an easy way to get government grants – when a recent Social Enterprise UK survey found 90 per cent of charities are concerned that voluntary and grant funding will become more difficult to secure in the coming years.
The survey, which involved 100 charities, found a whopping 92 per cent would like to increase their income from business activity (trading and government contracts) in the next three years, but 74 per cent say there is not enough support to help charities make the transition from voluntary to trading income.
For-profit companies are also becoming more interested in social enterprise. Two separate people have told me that they have met companies who believe they are a social enterprise as they do corporate social responsibility. The term is attractive to some companies for PR reasons. According to a recent Foresters survey, 82 per cent of consumers are more likely to buy products from businesses who engage with charities and 59 per cent believe businesses will benefit in terms of profit.
So, ‘social enterprise’ is gaining traction in different spheres, and as this happens people try and make it relate to their world and ascribe their own meanings to it. Some are worried about this, many are confused, and even more seem fed up with the debate.
It’s similar to the saturation of ‘vintage’ in the fashion market. It used to be the preserve of fashion-confident people who had time, money and help. Then with the rise of celebrity stylists sharing their secrets with a star-hungry public, it became accessible and fashionable, and hence profitable to sell vintage clothes. So thanks to fashion retailers like Top Shop et al, the idea of "vintage" became a high street and seemingly new trend.
But, old/vintage garments and accessories have always been used in fashion - from Jimi Hendrix in his military jacket to Kate Moss in a 1920s beaded number. Just as charities have always done social enterprise - take charity shops for example. Vintage just became commoditised, and social enterprise is becoming popularised.
"Vintage" as an idea is bound to get boring at some point – even Marks and Spencer’s now sell “vintage” clothing. And I fear that “social enterprise” as a concept may get diluted and wearisome.
But, as vintage clothes stores owner hepvintage explains, diehard fashionistas – for whom vintage is simply a definition of age and not any particular style - will continue to use their nous and flair to identify beauty in old garments and offer them back to a new generation to wear in new ways. Like I believe charities will continue to use their passion and drive to tackle social need through different means - including enterprise.
As hepvintage said in The Guardian: “We will be fine. We may need to find a new word for it though.”
