This is it. We are now a recognised Social Enterprise.
How did that happen?
The decision to officially move from a ‘normal’ limited company to a social enterprise was not taken lightly. We considered many scenarios and spent hours discussing our purpose and reason for existence. After that, we needed a new direction to our business plan followed by legal changes.
As a small business we needed to have a clear understanding of what a social enterprise status would mean to each of the shareholders. All of us needed to be on board with the same excitement and belief.
Becoming a social enterprise is not just making one off donations, it’s transforming how you do business and incorporating a social mission with clear measurable impact into your operations and KPI.
We have always intended to create a positive impact. From why and how the company started to the name we chose for the company “GivingBack Films”, it was always there waiting for recognition.
A recent visit to the Change Please Academy and an inspirational chat with their CEO Cemal Ezel, one of London’s most successful Social Enterprises and best coffee makers have accelerate our urge to make a move.
An idea of how to actually create social impact using our combined expertise and resources catapulted us into action.
How can a video production company be a Social Enterprise?
We believe that a world with diverse voices is a world of more social inclusion.
We partner with organisations and other social enterprises to provide training and opportunities for underrepresented individuals or communities to learn how to better express their own voices and tell their own stories through the power of video making.
Our new improved mission statement
To develop a legacy of films inspiring generations of conscious humans seeking a more sustainable planet. Create, support and engage with initiatives aiming positive impact through education and social activism.
Can I (or my business) get involved?
Yes! If you believe you can contribute to our project by donating your time, equipment or expertise and helping to build a strong foundation of new skills for our selected participants. Please send us an email at info@givingbackfilms.com
Yes! If you would like to know more about becoming a social enterprise yourself.
Yes! If you would like to know how to engage with and buy from other social enterprises.
Now, friends of LinkedIn I invite you to read the following paragraphs from the Social Enterprise UK website. Check more at Social Enterprise UK.
What is Social Enterprise?
Social enterprise is all about combining business with social justice, and using business and enterprise as a force for good and a way of making change. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, ranging from new start-ups at the grassroots through to large multi-million pound organisations with thousands of employees.
It is a diverse and exciting movement to be part of, and they change people’s lives in lots of different ways: through creating jobs; through preventing environmental waste; through reinvesting profits into community activity; through developing new services to help the most vulnerable.
Well-known examples of social enterprises include the Big Issue, Belu Water and Divine Chocolate.
Social enterprises exist in the space between traditional charity and mainstream business.
They are different from traditional charities in that they:
Make most of their money from selling products or services Don’t rely on volunteering, grants or donations to survive
They are different from traditional businesses in that they:
Have a primary social mission or purpose similar to that which a charity may have
Don’t exist to maximise profit for shareholders Don’t exist to make owners very wealthy
Measure the social impact and difference they make