Social Enterprises

Social Enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment.

Like any business, social enterprises aim to generate surpluses – reinvesting the surpluses into the business or in the community to continue supporting their social objectives. Thus they are not driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders or owners.

Social Enterprises operate over many different sectors such as Childcare, Recycling, Health and Social Care, Transport, Sport and Leisure, Entertainment, Arts and Tourism or even running your local shop or pub! They also come in many different forms such as Development Trusts, Credit Unions, Community Businesses, Co-operatives, Social Firms, Housing Mutual’s, or ILM’s (Intermediate Labour Markets).

Social enterprises can make a huge contribution in Merthyr Tydfil to create strong, sustainable communities. They can give communities the opportunity to take ownership and control of much needed local services, help increase local wealth, and provide training, education and employment opportunities for local people.