Try the New Case Study Mapper!

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

Share your story

Have a great story of taking on social investment? We're looking for new case studies to share - submit yours below or email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk

Image
Kendal Mountain Events Festival

Kendal Mountain Events brings thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe together to share and celebrate the best stories from the world of adventure. 
Their vision is to inspire more people to enjoy, respect and represent the mountains, through their annual festival in Kendal, Cumbria, and more recently school engagement programmes. 
 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
8%
Turnover
£488,517
Amount invested
£165,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Image
Outside the Box cafe

Outside the Box Café is an inclusive community café based in Ilkley, Bradford. Their mission is to enable young people and adults who have learning disabilities to have more fulfilled, independent and healthier lives. 

Duration
20 years
Cost of capital
4.25%
Turnover
£500,000+
Amount invested
£266,000
Product type
Secured loan
Image
Tafarn Yr Heliwr

Tafarn Yr Heliwr is a Community-Benefit Society based in Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales and was established in order to raise money and re-open the village pub as a not-for-profit community-owned business. 

Duration
10 years
Cost of capital
7%
Turnover
0 - Due to open in Autumn '21
Amount invested
£80,000
Product type
Community shares
Image
Miss Macaroon

Miss Macaroon, founded by CEO Rosie Ginday MBE, sets aside its profits to fund the store's MacsMAD (Macaroons that Make a Difference) programme. Producing over 2.5 million tasty macaroons inn 50 different flavours, Miss Macaroon has helped improve the lives of 82 people, all aged 18 - 35 years old, over the past decade.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
12%
Turnover
Not available
Amount invested
£50,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Image
Inhouse records

InHouse Records is the world's first fully functionally record label launched in prison. As a label for change, their mission is to see safer communities, fewer victims of crime and rehabilitation and employment for ex-offenders with a focus on dignity and aspiration. Since launching in September 2017, InHouse's work has engaged hard-to-reach populations both in prisons and through-the-gate, through music-based training programmes for prisoners and ex-offenders. With a focus on using music to improve core competencies and employability skills, its long-term goal is to help graduates lead empowered, fulfilling, and crime-free lives and, ultimately, to reduce re-offending.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
6.8%
Turnover
Not available
Amount invested
£97,00 (2019: £77,000 and 2021: £20,000)
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Image
Autism Plus

Autism Plus supports adults and young people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and complex needs. They attract referrals from local governments and Clinical Commissioning Groups on a case-by-case basis. Autism Plus employ over 450 people across the north of England in care support services, employment support and social enterprises.

Duration
3 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£12,500,000
Amount invested
£360,000 (Loan) + £140,000 (Grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
Energy Resilience
Image
Readipop Studio

Established in 1998, Readipop is an innovative music and arts charity with a strong reputation for inspirational, engaging arts projects that make a positive difference in people's lives.

They provide access to music for vulnerable young people from hard-to-reach areas, including young offenders, the long-term unemployed, Special Educational Needs students, individuals from pupil referral units, and those who are not able to access conventional education. Their music leaders empower young people to learn and improve their music skills; helping them gain confidence in their chosen area and achieve their own goals while improving their emotional and social wellbeing. Readipop work closely with a whole host of other locally based community music programmes and projects to maximise reach and impact.

 

Duration
10 years
Cost of capital
7%
Turnover
£269,000
Amount invested
£90,000
Product type
Secured loan
Image
Martin Hogg, Founder & CEO

Citizen Coaching & Counselling provides timely, jargon-free coaching and counselling to young people and adults in Birmingham with a friendly professional approach. We provide a choice of talking therapies, most of which are free to access, delivered by a team of 45 specialist qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

Duration
6 years
Cost of capital
7.57%
Turnover
£650,000
Amount invested
£125,000 + additional grant of £90,550
Product type
Social Investment Tax Relief
Image
East Street Arts

East Street Arts (ESA) was established in 1993 when two artists couldn't find the support and infrastructure they needed to develop their art practice. ESA have worked to secure better livelihoods for artists and their neighbours and address issues of economic and commercial decline in towns and cities.

 

 

 

 

 

Duration
1.5 years
Cost of capital
8.25%
Turnover
£1,717,404
Amount invested
£110,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Image
Yasin El Ashrafi

HQ Recording Studio provides a relaxed, creative environment located in the heart of Leicester city centre. At the beginning of 2019, they completed an extensive refurbishment enabling them to have high quality recording facilities across two rooms, with the latest in cutting edge digital software and hardware.

 

 

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
3.25%
Turnover
£135,868
Amount invested
£50,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
Image
Pop Up Projects

Pop Up Projects is a non-profit children's literature agency with a mission to transform lives through literature, especially through working with people in deprived places and challenging circumstances. Pop Up Projects delivers on this mission through three distinct strands of activities: working with primary, secondary, SEN schools to produce an annual nationwide children's literature festival; developing emerging talent to ensure that the next generation of children's writers and illustrators is more diverse; and providing advisory services for peer organisations with complementary missions.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
8%
Turnover
Not available
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Image
IRIE! Dance Theatre

IRIE! dance theatre is the UK's leading dance theatre company delivering creative, educational and artistic activities in African and Caribbean dance. Based in the historic Moonshot Centre in South London, IRIE!'s mission is to support the personal wellbeing and community cohesion of the diverse population in its local area through dance.

The organisation has two distinct but interrelated strands of activities: a wide-ranging community offer across diverse dance styles for young people, adults, families, and older people; and a comprehensive education, training, and professional development offer spanning schools workshops, a degree programme, masterclasses, and residencies for emerging dance artists.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
7.05%
Turnover
£382,850
Amount invested
£100,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)