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Browse 100+ case studies via our interactive Case Study Mapper to explore examples of social investment in action in your area!
 

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Image of 2 storey white building with black sign and white lettering reading The Energy Training Academy

The Energy Training Academy (ETA) is a community interest company that specialises in providing high-quality training and education in the gas and renewables industry. ETA works with young people, veterans, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they gain valuable skills for the green energy transition.

Duration
n/a
Cost of capital
n/a
Turnover
n/a - Start-up
Amount invested
£300,000
Product type
Quasi-equity
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Image of the Robin Hood - YMCA building

YMCA Robin Hood Group provide a range of frontline services across Greater Nottingham, York and East Riding, plus Newark & Sherwood, to encourage young people to belong, contribute and thrive. This includes residential settled care homes, supported housing and numerous support programmes. Explore how they used social investment to grow and innovate their service offering. 

Duration
20 years
Cost of capital
Base + 2.8% for 3 years, then Base + 2.3% for 17 years
Turnover
£11.3m
Amount invested
£9.75m
Product type
Charity bonds
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Corsham Gymnastics Academy

Corsham Gymnastics Academy (CGA) is an established gymnastics club based in Wiltshire. The club offers programmes that are inclusive to all from baby gym, pre-school, recreational and disability gymnastics which provide the opportunity for everyone to learn gymnastics.

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
4%
Turnover
£419,000
Amount invested
£173,000
Product type
Secured loan
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The Urban Factory

The Urban Factory is 13500 square foot manufacturing unit that was upgraded to provide the regions first dedicated training facility for cheerleading, tumbling and parkour. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
8.5%
Turnover
£0 (pre-trading)
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Câr-Y-Môr

A community owned business using regenerative ocean farming, food security and sustainable job creation to improve both the coastal environment and the well-being of the local community.

Duration
12 Months
Cost of capital
7.9%
Turnover
£783
Amount invested
£425,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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East Belfast Mission

Hosford is the homeless service of East Belfast Mission (EBM) based in the Skainos Centre on the Lower Newtownards Road in East Belfast, and for over 20 years, Hosford has provided services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

Duration
7 years
Cost of capital
2% rising to 4%
Turnover
£2.6 million
Amount invested
£550,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Carrick Greengrocers

Carrick Greengrocers is a community-owned greengrocer established by people who live in, work in, or are otherwise passionate about Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. They aim to trade in a way that supports a sustainable environment and economy and all profits are directed back into the business and local initiatives. 

Duration
NA (Community Shares)
Cost of capital
2%
Turnover
NA - pre-trading
Amount invested
£34,000
Product type
Community shares
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The Ledge Inverness

The Ledge is a registered Scottish charity dedicated to changing lives for the better via the medium of climbing. Climbing helps build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. It helps develop diverse skill sets, improves focus, and increases co-ordination. On top of all that, it’s a whole heap of fun!

Duration
10 Years (12 months bridging)
Cost of capital
6.25%
Turnover
£900,000
Amount invested
£250,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Projekts Manchester

Projekts MCR is a skatepark and community development organisation in Manchester that provides a space for young people and their families to enjoy skateboarding, meet and connect with others, and access wider social support. It’s one of the largest outdoor, concrete skateparks in the UK. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
6.6%
Turnover
£264,027
Amount invested
£50,000 (£10,000 grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Zion Community Cafe

Zion Community Cafe is well-loved Cafe in Bristol that runs a large variety of community events, children’s groups, support groups, ticketed events and provides spaces to hire for meetings, groups and private events. They used Community Shares and the Community Ownership Fund (COF) to save their venue. 

Duration
NA (Community Shares)
Cost of capital
Intention to pay 3%
Turnover
£214,730
Amount invested
£234,908
Product type
Community shares
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Hemlington Lake Recreation Centre

Tees Valley Community Asset Preservation Trust is a registered charity (CIO) which was established in 2015 in response to local government spending cuts.

 

Duration
7 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£126,000
Amount invested
£35,600
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Image shows 3 people behind the desk at a cafe

Café van Gogh is a restaurant with a social and environmental mission in Brixton. Apart from serving delicious vegan and seasonally changing food, the restaurant also provides employment and training opportunities for people additional needs, like learning disabilities and mental health challenges.

Duration
3 years (extended to 5 due to the pandemic)
Cost of capital
7.5%
Turnover
£427K
Amount invested
£19,200 (unsecured)
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)