Speaking up for the COVID generation

With 1.5 million children and young people at risk of being left behind, as they struggle to speak and understand language, due to Covid-19 – we know there’s never been a better time to reinvest in I CAN, the children’s communication charity. I CAN supports children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) to fulfil their potential and it has ambitious plans to further expand the reach and influence of the services it provides.

SBT’s reinvestment will include in-kind support from partners Permira and Schroders to develop and digitise their tried and tested programmes for schools and update their marketing and communications so more children can benefit from the work they do. Alongside support to expand the Meath School, rated outstanding by Ofsted, to include secondary pupils.

Riccardo Basile from Permira continues to provide strategic advice and support as in his roles as Investment Director and trustee, alongside Luke Manning from Refinitiv who joined the board of trustees in 2020.

We are delighted that the Social Business Trust (SBT) has agreed to reinvest in our work – it has never been more crucial to help children to speak and understand language. Over the next two years SBT will support us digitise our evidence-based programmes for children, our advice to parents and to assess other options to expand our impact. I strongly believe that this partnership will bring essential skills to our charity and help us to reach more children who are desperately in need of support after the covid pandemic. - Jane Harris, CEO, I CAN

Anthony, who is an ICAN beneficiary, attended our last Investment Committee and gave powerful testimony to the value of ICAN’s services. To hear how I CAN had impacted him and his family really brought I CAN’s incredible work to life for us. We are delighted to be reinvesting to help I CAN expand its services, digitise offerings and become an important influence in the sector and ultimately help more young people like Anthony become confident and happy communicators.
– Adele Blakebrough MBE, CEO, SBT

SBT first invested in I CAN in 2015.

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What we do
Our corporate partners

We work with a committed group of leading corporates and business professionals who provide practical skills and expertise in support of our charities and social enterprises
Our approach
Types of volunteering

You can volunteer your time in many ways to make a difference to the SBT portfolio and increase the impact they deliver.
Joanne Hay, CEO
The difference we make
Register interest in volunteering

We couldn't do what we do without talented people giving their time and energy! If you'd like to volunteer your skills to help social enterprises and charities scale-up, please get in touch.
Alex McAleavy, Senior Investment Manager
A Decade of Difference

Social Business Trust marked 10 years of supporting the growth of social enterprises with A Decade of Difference report. The report showcases some of the impact the corporate partners and the social enterprises have achieved together.
Setting Up for Growth

A member of our portfolio, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for young children across London regardless of income level. June O'Sullivan MBE, CEO of LEYF explains how Social Business Trust has been instrumental in their journey.