In early 2012, we sent a survey to the award winners we have supported to set up social ventures since 2003.
We received over 1,000 responses, which has given us a great insight into the successes and challenges experienced by social entrepreneurs in the UK. The survey shows that UnLtd award winners go on a range of journeys after receiving their awards; some establish social ventures that become their employment, whilst others continue to run their ventures alongside other roles.
The survey found that most operate at a relatively small scale, providing face-to-face services and working in-depth with vulnerable people. A smaller proportion operates at a regional, national or even international scale. The range and variation in types of impact created and people who benefit is large, but there are some common themes – three quarters provide volunteering opportunities, two thirds give people the opportunity to learn or train and nearly all increase connections between people, helping them develop 'social capital'.
Francesca Carpanini is UnLtd's PR executive. Click here to download the infographic of UnLtd's survey.
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