Yorkshire and the Humber, known for its stunning landscapes and rich history, is a region of contrasts, boasting bustling cities and tranquil countryside. Famous for its culinary heritage, including the iconic Yorkshire Pudding.

In this blog, we'll explore the varied social investment stories from Yorkshire and the Humber, celebrating the impactful initiatives and organisations that are making a real difference in this vibrant region.

Yorkshire and Humber: Case studies

One of the best ways to learn more about social investment and how it can be used is through examples. Good Finance has 115 case studies and counting – here we spotlight just five recent stories from Yorkshire and the Humber..

Omnis Circumvado CIC 

Omnis Circumvado CIC in Yorkshire offers innovative approaches to mental health and wellbeing through their therapeutic services. Supported by social investment, they've expanded their impact, providing essential mental health support to the community. Discover their journey and the difference they're making in our case study.

Outside the Box 

Outside the Box in Ilkley works towards empowering individuals with learning disabilities. With the aid of social investment, they've been able to grow their reach and enhance their support services. Learn more about how Outside the Box is changing lives through creativity and support in their case study.

Beverley Cherry Tree Community Centre 

The Beverley Cherry Tree Community Centre is a lifeline for many in the local area, providing crucial support services. Social investment has enabled them to enhance their facilities and extend their reach, making a significant impact in the community. Explore their story and the positive changes they've achieved in our full case study.

Doncaster Refurnish 

Doncaster Refurnish is not just a furniture store; it's a hub for community upliftment. They use social investment to fuel their mission of providing affordable furniture and reducing waste, all while supporting local employment. Delve into their case study to see how they're transforming both homes and lives in Doncaster.

Paces

Paces is a leading charity for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders. They used social investment to refurbish and fit out their new premises, making it fit for purpose. Read the case study to learn more about what they did and why. 

Check out our Case Study Mapper and filter by Yorkshire and the Humber to view all of the case studies we have from organisations that have harnessed the power of social investment in Yorkshire and the Humber. 

Have you got a social investment story to tell? We’d love to spotlight more examples of social investment in action in Yorkshire and the Humber to support organisations that are currently exploring repayable finance. You can submit your experiences online here, alternatively email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk to arrange content collection.

Yorkshire and Humber: Must-Reads 

We also have various blogs, media and news from the Yorkshire and the Humber that help to provide a place-based perspective on the region. From guest blogs and opinion pieces to interviews with investees, here’s two must-reads...

Shariah Compliant Investing in Action: Spotlight on Impact Hub Bradford

In our recent blog post, we caught up with Kamran and Ashfaq from Impact Hub Bradford to chat through their Shariah Compliant Investment product and why it was important for them to include it in their offering for social investment in Bradford. 

"Bradford is a diverse mix of different communities and we knew that any financial model we chose had to work for everyone. We didn’t want to create a financial model that included one group at the expense of excluding others. The solution was a shariah compliant investment model that was accessible to all regardless of faith or background."

Yorkshire and the Humber: Must watch and listens

Hidden Voices: Omnis Circumvado CIC 

In 'Hidden Voices: Omnis Circumvado CIC', discover the story of a unique mental health support service in Yorkshire. Learn how social investment is helping them extend their reach and positively impact mental health care. Have a listen! 

Let's Talk Good Finance: Outside the Box 

'Let's Talk Good Finance: Outside the Box' features an engaging conversation with an organisation in Ilkley, supporting individuals with learning disabilities. Hear about their journey with social investment and its transformative impact.

Let's Talk Good Finance: Leeds 

In the episode 'Let's Talk Good Finance: Leeds', delve into how social investment is influencing community projects in Leeds. The Link CIC managing director Tina Jackson talks about why they decided to take on social investment through Big Issue Invest. Listen to hear about the challenges they faced and the opportunities social investment brought,  along with her key learnings from the experience.

Let's Talk Good Finance: Yorkshire and Humber 

This webinar is for charities, social enterprises and community businesses who would like to learn more about social investment and the options available, with a focus on Yorkshire and Humber. Watch now on demand to hear from organisations based in the region that have secured social investment. 

Spotlight on: Rachel Veitch-Straw, Investment Manager at Key Fund 

Key Fund's Mission is to provide the funding options at the right time for the development and growth of sustainable and impactful community and social enterprises that are unable to secure support from elsewhere.

They provided social investment for Omnis Circumvado, featured above in both the podcast and case study section. 

We caught up with Investment Manager, Rachel Veitch-Straw on her thoughts and reflections for 2023 as well as debunking some common social investment misconceptions and key objectives for the future! 

What has been your highlight for 2023? 

My highlight for 2023 has been the continued passion of social enterprises to make their difference, or solve the problem that they can’t leave unsolved, particularly given the current cost of living challenges. We’ve worked with some outstanding organisations, including many who’ve even managed to grow their services to deliver more impact. One such client is Leeds Wood Recycling CIC, a valued “repeat customer”. Since their initial Key Fund investment in 2018 they’ve developed learning pathways for over 300 people, grown from collecting 49 tonnes of surplus wood to over 2,500 tonnes, and expanded from 4 part-time staff to 16.

What would be your #1 tip for a charity or social enterprise at the very start of their journey with social investment? 

I always talk to people about the “firm foundations” of a stable business, whether they are new starts, or established business entering a new phase. A key element is; know who your customers are, and most essentially, how you are connected to them. Do you know who will buy your product or service?

What’s one myth that you hear about social investment that you’d like to debunk once and for all? 

People are often concerned about their personal financial situation and how that might affect an application – I soon point out that we lend to the organisation, not individuals, so any “financial health checks” are around the business. Incidentally, clients often tell us that they have really benefitted from our process, comparing it to having a supportive critical friend look over all the fundamental facets of their business!

What are your key objectives and goals for 2024? 

My key objectives and goals for 2024 are sharing knowledge of how social investment can support impactful organisations, and working to reduce barriers to investment. This will involve building understanding, reaching out to people, and working on accessibility and diversity of information and connection at grass roots level. I’ve recently delivered a couple of “Friendly Finance” events in the fabulous local social enterprise venues Union St Co-Working and High Green Development Trust.

The events involved sitting together in a relaxed and supportive space where interested organisations could hear from me about social investment from Key Fund, chat about how it might work for them, and network with similar businesses – all supported by tea and pastries, of course! 

What is your favourite festive song? Festive film? Festive food? 

I’m usually busy in a brass quartet around Christmas, with my favourite song being Winter Wonderland – and food-wise, I love German Christmas food after having lived there many years ago. Cinnamon-flavoured anything! (Any time of year!)

That’s a wrap for today! We are delighted to celebrate the social investment space in Yorkshire and The Humber, and we know this is just tip of the iceberg in terms of all the fantastic activity that is happening.

If we’ve missed anything or you’d like to chat to us about featuring more content based in Yorkshire and Humber on Good Finance, please email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk and we’d love to chat further! 

Have a browse off various regional and national spotlight's across the UK!

- Spotlight series: West Midlands

- Spotlight series: East Midlands

- Spotlight series: South West

- Spotlight series: South East

- Spotlight series: London

- Spotlight series: Scotland

- Spotlight series: North West

- Spotlight series: East England

- Spotlight series: North East

- Spotlight series: Northern Ireland

- Spotlight series: Wales