Challenge 

Social adVentures is a wellbeing social enterprise specialising in health, children’s services and social care that run alongside social businesses such as childcare nurseries, training, a community gym and forest schools. 

With nearly 2,000 children brought into care each year across Greater Manchester, it is the responsibility of the state to provide a growing number of young people with a home environment and nurturing relationships that significantly improve their life chances and support their journey into adulthood.

There’s a growing awareness that the children in social care sector is in trouble, and Social adVentures seeks to provide the radical change required to improve the life chances of our most vulnerable young people.

Solution 

They have revolutionised the market, using innovative ways to improve outcomes for children in the community they serve. They provide care locally to where children were born and live, keeping siblings together, providing support for staff and interventions for children to keep them settled. 

They used social investment to purchase, open and run their first purpose-led residential children’s home in Salford, Greater Manchester. 

Revenue 

Income is generated through providing these essential services to local authorities. 

As a social enterprise, all profits go straight back into the services they deliver, enabling them to constantly improve care and quality and invest in emerging areas of need. 

Impact 

The residential children’s home, Oakview, will place children between the ages of 8 and 18 and will provide up to three children with a safe and stable place to call home. 

This has enabled them to keep children local, siblings together and reduce the likelihood of placement breakdown. 

Social AdVentures delivers £2m+ of social value each year, has provided 37,500 government-funded childcare places and has more than 2,000 local people attend their centres annually. 

“Social adVentures is passionate about delivering social change that provides a big impact to people and communities. Once we had learnt about the scale of the challenge in residential children’s services we really wanted to make a change. The investment from SASC has enabled us to accelerate our entry into this market and we have now opened our first children’s home. We have ambitious plans for the future and are excited about providing positive outcomes for young people.”

Scott Darraugh, Chief Executive, Social adVentures

“Social adVentures is always looking to innovate in social care, and SASC is proud to support their vision for positive change. This investment reflects our commitment to impactful initiatives that make a difference in communities. We believe in their ability to create lasting impact, and we’re excited to be part of this endeavour in the Greater Manchester area.”

Mark Bickford, Chief Executive at Social and Sustainable Capital