Southern Enterprise Awards 2020

33 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2020 Sep20278 SME News Social Enterprise of the Year 2020 BS3 Community was founded in 1991 with the purpose of improving the lives of people living in the BS3 postcode and surrounding area. The company is a registered charity and have meaningfully bettered the community. It all started when a group of local residents approached Bristol City Council to discuss the future of a former school which was now lying empty and redundant. The residents were concerned about the site and wanted to ensure that it was used for the benefit of the community. Following that meeting, BS3 Community was born. The passion for community-driven change is still present in the group today, and now manifests through the charity work that they do. The vast majority of the company’s income is generated by their nursery provision. Every penny earned is reinvested into the community. It means that local parents can financially and reliably support their community development by choosing one of BS3 Community’s sites as their early education provider. Not only are they investing in their child’s academic future, but also investing in the area their child will grow up in. It is truly heart-warming to see a business built by the community actively work to make the community better. The company runs two community venues, the Southville Centre and the Chessel Centre. As a social business, all surplus generated from profitable services is reinvested into education, artistic, environmental, health and wellbeing projects. These projects help people, young and old alike, learn, socialise, keep fit and have fun. The company either run the projects themselves directly, or support partners to deliver them in the area. The company adheres to a simple set of values that have helped to keep it on the right track to benefit the community over the years: Inspiring, Active, Trusted. It is hard to build a sense of community, but BS3 Community Development have not only managed to invest in the local Bristol community, but have created a successful business out of it. They help to make the area a more pleasant place to live, and remain community driven with their amazing local staff and volunteers. To be inspiring, BS3 Community help to develop similar community movements elsewhere. They share the knowledge that they have accrued with established charities, emerging social enterprises and community groups across Bristol, the UK, and the world. The group is committed to being active in the local area. They are a driving force in the community, adapting to meet ever-shifting demands and championing new and innovative ways to improve their skills and the services they offer people. This is all while cultivating the trust of the local residents. People trust them with the landmark buildings in the area, their children, their older relatives, and familial celebration days. Being based in Bristol, the group is able to reap the benefits of the creative populace. The environment is forward thinking and innovative. Dawn Lockhart of BS3 Community said: “Bristolians’ natural state is to think radically. Why do things the way they have always been done if that method is no longer fit for purpose? We embrace uncertainty. It can be uncomfortable, but it is an opportunity to reassess and shake up the status quo for the benefit of the whole.” The majority of the staff at BS3 Community live in the area that they benefit. It means that when they work to make an improvement to the area, they have a vested interest in making it fair and efficient. The internal culture of the business is informed by the local people that it seeks to serve. As such, the staff turnover at the company is very low, and they are supported by an army of volunteers who are passionate about improving the local area. BS3 Community Development has a humble beginning, built on the effort of a few local people who were concerned for the community. The business has retained its grassroots ethos, led by a team of staff who are true advocates for the community. Contact: Dawn Lockhart Company: BS3 Community Development Website: www.bs3community.org.uk