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Browse 100+ case studies via our interactive Case Study Mapper to explore examples of social investment in action in your area!
 

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Have a great story of taking on social investment? We're looking for new case studies to share - submit yours below or email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk

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Inhouse records

InHouse Records is the world's first fully functionally record label launched in prison. As a label for change, their mission is to see safer communities, fewer victims of crime and rehabilitation and employment for ex-offenders with a focus on dignity and aspiration. Since launching in September 2017, InHouse's work has engaged hard-to-reach populations both in prisons and through-the-gate, through music-based training programmes for prisoners and ex-offenders. With a focus on using music to improve core competencies and employability skills, its long-term goal is to help graduates lead empowered, fulfilling, and crime-free lives and, ultimately, to reduce re-offending.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
6.8%
Turnover
Not available
Investor Details
Nesta Impact Investments
Amount invested
£97,00 (2019: £77,000 and 2021: £20,000)
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Autism Plus

Autism Plus supports adults and young people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and complex needs. They attract referrals from local governments and Clinical Commissioning Groups on a case-by-case basis. Autism Plus employ over 450 people across the north of England in care support services, employment support and social enterprises.

Duration
3 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£12,500,000
Investor Details
Social Investment Business
Amount invested
£360,000 (Loan) + £140,000 (Grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
Energy Resilience
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Readipop Studio

Established in 1998, Readipop is an innovative music and arts charity with a strong reputation for inspirational, engaging arts projects that make a positive difference in people's lives.

They provide access to music for vulnerable young people from hard-to-reach areas, including young offenders, the long-term unemployed, Special Educational Needs students, individuals from pupil referral units, and those who are not able to access conventional education. Their music leaders empower young people to learn and improve their music skills; helping them gain confidence in their chosen area and achieve their own goals while improving their emotional and social wellbeing. Readipop work closely with a whole host of other locally based community music programmes and projects to maximise reach and impact.

 

Duration
10 years
Cost of capital
7%
Turnover
£269,000
Investor Details
Big Issue Invest
Amount invested
£90,000
Product type
Secured loan
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Martin Hogg, Founder & CEO

Citizen Coaching & Counselling provides timely, jargon-free coaching and counselling to young people and adults in Birmingham with a friendly professional approach. We provide a choice of talking therapies, most of which are free to access, delivered by a team of 45 specialist qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

Duration
6 years
Cost of capital
7.57%
Turnover
£650,000
Investor Details
Resonance
Amount invested
£125,000 + additional grant of £90,550
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East Street Arts

East Street Arts (ESA) was established in 1993 when two artists couldn't find the support and infrastructure they needed to develop their art practice. ESA have worked to secure better livelihoods for artists and their neighbours and address issues of economic and commercial decline in towns and cities.

 

 

 

 

 

Duration
1.5 years
Cost of capital
8.25%
Turnover
£1,717,404
Investor Details
Key Fund
Amount invested
£110,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Yasin El Ashrafi

HQ Recording Studio provides a relaxed, creative environment located in the heart of Leicester city centre. At the beginning of 2019, they completed an extensive refurbishment enabling them to have high quality recording facilities across two rooms, with the latest in cutting edge digital software and hardware.

 

 

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
3.25%
Turnover
£135,868
Investor Details
Key Fund
Amount invested
£50,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Pop Up Projects

Pop Up Projects is a non-profit children's literature agency with a mission to transform lives through literature, especially through working with people in deprived places and challenging circumstances. Pop Up Projects delivers on this mission through three distinct strands of activities: working with primary, secondary, SEN schools to produce an annual nationwide children's literature festival; developing emerging talent to ensure that the next generation of children's writers and illustrators is more diverse; and providing advisory services for peer organisations with complementary missions.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
8%
Turnover
Not available
Investor Details
Nesta Impact Investments
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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IRIE! Dance Theatre

IRIE! dance theatre is the UK's leading dance theatre company delivering creative, educational and artistic activities in African and Caribbean dance. Based in the historic Moonshot Centre in South London, IRIE!'s mission is to support the personal wellbeing and community cohesion of the diverse population in its local area through dance.

The organisation has two distinct but interrelated strands of activities: a wide-ranging community offer across diverse dance styles for young people, adults, families, and older people; and a comprehensive education, training, and professional development offer spanning schools workshops, a degree programme, masterclasses, and residencies for emerging dance artists.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
7.05%
Turnover
£382,850
Investor Details
Nesta Impact Investments
Amount invested
£100,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Effervescent

Effervescent are a social enterprise and registered charity based in Devon. They passionately believe that children and young people have the insight, intelligence and imagination to make the world a better place. With backgrounds in child counselling, youth work, art and advertising, Effervescent have developed a unique methodology for co-producing creative campaigns with vulnerable children and young people.  Their approach not only transforms the lives of those involved directly, but also produces exhibitions and communications campaigns that touch the lives of children and young people everywhere.

Duration
4 years
Cost of capital
7%
Turnover
£138,920
Investor Details
Arts & Culture Finance by Nesta
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Mansfield CVS

Mansfield CVS is an infrastructure organisation that has been supporting the community and voluntary sector in Mansfield for over 40 years.

MCVS are a landlord providing serviced offices for tenants and individual room hires for events. They also deliver local authority contracts e.g. public patient engagement CCG, County Council - volunteer co-ordination and Sport England.

 

Duration
3 years
Cost of capital
6%
Turnover
£317,459
Investor Details
Key Fund
Amount invested
£23,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Eidgah Academy

Located at the heart of Perry Barr, Birmingham, Eidgah Academy is a community hub providing educational, recreational and social activities for economically disadvantaged children and young people. In Perry Barr, 60% of the population belongs to people from ethnic minority groups and 15% of the populations first language is not English. Eidgah Academy engages 130 predominately Muslim children and young people of Pakistani, Bengali and African backgrounds with opportunities through structured personal development programs and playing games.

Duration
6 years
Cost of capital
5%
Turnover
£50,000
Investor Details
Big Issue Invest
Amount invested
£25,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Rene house team

Rene House is a small social enterprise based in Nottingham, they provide supported accommodation for homeless and vulnerable adults and families. They currently manage a portfolio of 7 properties comprising of 18 units. Rene House aims to create a sustainable stepping-stone service for individuals and families that need support to get back on their feet.

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
8%
Turnover
£87k
Investor Details
Big Issue Invest
Amount invested
£60k
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan