Blogs and media

What makes an organisation suitable for social investment? This is a question we’re often asked by potential investees. As providers of simple finance for UK charities and social enterprises, we do of course receive many applications for finance from organisations who simply aren’t ready for...

I spent seven years looking after my mum before she died. Caring for someone with dementia is a lot harder than most people realise. I often felt lost and overwhelmed by the task ahead and soon realised I had to find new ways to keep Mum busy and give her a sense of purpose, otherwise she’d spend...

South Bristol Sports Centre is a charity created to serve and provide facilities for the local community. We pride ourselves on being able to provide activities and facilities which cater for a wide range of public need.

Social investment is no fairy tale, but you might need to kiss a few frogs before you get the right deal.

Phil Caroe, Director of Social Finance at Allia, with a tongue-in-cheek guide to help us navigate the language barriers to considering finance. Jargon is a social divider, separating the knowledgeable insiders from the confused outsiders. Now, with this bluffer’s guide, you too can impress your...

The 2017 State of Social Enterprise Report, supported by Santander, is the largest, most representative survey of social enterprises in the UK.

The gritty reality of social investment? It's hard work, it's high pressure, and it is certainly no replacement for revenue. However, those doing the work today will reap rewards in the future.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the social investment market does not meet the needs and expectations of the organisations it is there to serve. Without the needs being met, can we really call it a market?