Sutton joins just nine other boroughs or town areas in the country – and one of two in London – to gain the status handed down by Social Enterprise UK’s panel.
The Sutton Community Farm is one social enterprise in the borough, bringing locals fresh healthy produce.
Sutton Council’s successful application saw the borough be praised for its Social Enterprise Network, which was set up three years ago to support social enterprises in the borough and has more than 50 members, and is supported and partially-funded by Sutton Council.
Examples of social enterprises – businesses which trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances – in Sutton include:
The community-owned Sutton Community Farm aims to help locals have better access to fresh, healthy and sustainable food, while providing a shared space for people to cultivate skills, get exercise and make friends. Sutton Council’s public health team is currently working with the farm to bring The Sutton People’s Kitchen to Sutton High Street.
The Vine Project is an environmental charity encouraging communities to be greener and more efficient by operating innovative reduce, reuse and recycling enterprises. It also provides training and development opportunities to socially excluded people in Sutton and Merton. Sutton Council provides the project with funding and support.
Other examples include CVS payroll services, Sutton Voice CIC, Transitions London, Builders in Your Community and United in Dance.
The Sutton Social Enterprise Network supported by the London Borough of Sutton will continue the development and growth of Sutton’s social enterprises; raising their profile through, for example, networking events; and maintaining appropriate business support for pre-start, start-up and growth.
Cllr Simon Wales, Sutton Council’s Deputy Leader who is also the council’s social enterprise champion, said:
“The buzzing social enterprise activity in our borough again goes to reinforce what a wonderful place Sutton is to live and work.
“I am delighted that Sutton has received this formal recognition, which will go towards ensuring social enterprises will continue to get the support they need and deserve to thrive now and in the future.”
Amanda Edge, Chair of Social Enterprise Sutton, said:
“I feel that this is an important award for Sutton because social enterprises play a very significant role in the community and it really needs to be recognised and supported by the local authority.
“These enterprises offer exceptional services, goods, employment, training and support to the borough and beyond and profits from their hard work gets reinvested back into the community.
“Sutton is very lucky to have such great enterprises in their borough and this award to Sutton Council will mean that existing enterprises and new ones will be confident that Sutton is the place to be.”