On International Volunteers Day (5 December), we celebrate the army of people who freely give their time and skills to support community businesses across the UK. Andrew Dubock, Plunkett UK’s Communications Manager, shines a light on the important part that volunteers play in raising the funds to...

Understanding and measuring social impact is crucial for community businesses to demonstrate their value and secure support. Plunkett UK’s Nick Comley provides essential principles and practical steps to help you effectively communicate the positive changes your business brings to the community.

In this brilliant guest post from Sebastian Rocca , Founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow , he explores three things to know about social investment while reflecting on his own experiences of the process...

Sebastian Rocca is Founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow. They have a vision to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are safe, free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training...

Andrew Dubock, Communications Manager at Plunkett UK, explores how using social investment could support a new generation of community businesses to invest in energy saving measures, to make the businesses ‘greener’ and also reduce running costs.

Back on the Map harnessed the power of The Community Ownership Fund and Social Investment to deliver their High Street Revolution, to meet the needs of the community they serve.

Alison Macklin, Community Business Manager at Plunkett Foundation explores the importance of measuring your social impact after a Good Finance workshop at the Facing the Future Together conference.

Many community groups find the prospect of raising the significant funds required to convert local assets, such as parks, libraries, pubs, cinemas and more, into community ownership, ensuring local people have control over these spaces, particularly daunting. In this blog, we'll go over the idea of...

Sarah Benn, Membership & Training Manager at Plunkett Foundation, explores Community Shares, how they work and why they're integral to supporting community-owned businesses to thrive and survive in 2023.

Smile Together is an employee-owned dental social enterprise working across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly which is dedicated to tackling oral health inequality. In 2018 they received social investment from Big Issue Invest to help open a new purpose designed, accessible dental centre.

In the fifth of our Celebrating Changemakers podcast series, we hear from Debbie Dixon, Project Manager at Poole Communities Trust.

Next up in our 'Celebrating Changemakers' podcast series, we catch up with Holly Hutchinson, Founder of Circus Strong, a community organisation dedicated to providing friendly, judgment free aerial and fitness classes. They especially welcome the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who suffer from...