The difference we make

The work SBT and its partners do has made a huge impact and continues to do so. Our mission is to support high growth potential social enterprises and charities to scale-up their impact.

We do this by investing professional support and cash grants from leading corporate partners in a carefully selected portfolio
of social enterprises and charities. Organisations in our portfolio are tackling social problems including educational disadvantage, employability and social care.

In our first 10 years, we provided nearly £25 million of support and grants and almost 50,000 volunteer hours of in-kind support to our social enterprises. Our work has improved the lives of nearly 3 million people.

However, the difference that we make is so much more than that. First, SBT is making a difference to a broad range of people and organisations. Our work helps our social enterprises and their beneficiaries through investment, growth opportunities, and improved networks and capabilities. On top of that, we make a difference to our corporate partners, whose volunteers gain new experiences which contribute towards their professional development and who are also able to enjoy a fulfilling, positive working environment.

Through conducting pro bono work with SBT, I have been able to ‘step up’ to roles typically beyond my tenure, giving me greater confidence in areas such as client interaction. Beyond professional development, my work with SBT has boosted my job satisfaction – the work itself has a greater sense of purpose and impact than my typical day to day work.- Katie Robinson, EY

Second, the difference we make extends beyond the hard numbers. As we help the social enterprises and charities in our portfolio grow, the impact of what we do grows, too. The work we do is creating social enterprises that are scaled, sustainable and thriving.

I’ve been blow away by how we’ve been able to access corporate sector leading support and insight that we would never have been able to afford as a charity. It’s really helped us to increase our impact on children’s life chances, which is what our mission is all about.- Dr Kate Chhatwal OBE, CEO, Challenge Partners

Latest

Crossing the line: children as young as seven targeted by ‘county lines’ gangs

You’ve heard the phrase used often enough on news reports. The word “scourge” is never far away. You might have read about it online or in a newspaper or seen a video in your feed – without perhaps always grasping what the term really means. Here, Magid El-Amin from Catch22 discusses the pernicious form of criminal exploitation that is county lines, and the work his organisation is doing to combat it.
The revolving prison door of fixed term recalls. There’s a better way

Given the large number of people on probation that are being recalled back into prison for reasons of non-compliance, rather than because they’ve committed another offence, the questions must be asked: Is there a more proactive and preventative approach that will better support these individuals while they are trying to re-engage with the world? Is there a better way? Here, Miranda Shanks from Catch22 offers a way forward
Simon says ‘show don’t tell’ when it comes to mentoring

Before becoming a volunteer mentor with SBT, Simon was lending his time and experience to many causes. He coached water polo at his old school and, while he admits to not being the best cook, he would prepare meals at a food kitchen. But it wasn’t until he attended a joint SBT and Permira Foundation event that he realised how useful his professional skills could be.
Laura's leap into secondment at SBT

On secondment from EY, Laura has worked at SBT for the past nine months. As her final day nears, she offers us an insight into the good work being done by SBT social enterprises and how she's been able to support them with her skills and experience.

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.