Social entrepreneurs on our biggest UK programme help 328,000 people while creating meaningful jobs

We’re delighted to announce that social entrepreneurs supported through our biggest UK programme are benefiting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need, while creating meaningful jobs.

An independent evaluation looks at the impact created by the Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme, run in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs and the National Lottery Community Fund.

The 1,350 social entrepreneurs supported by the first five years of the programme have benefited the lives of 328,000 people – that’s more than the entire population of Coventry!

They have created 1,900 full-time and 4,100 part-time jobs – in total, equivalent to 3,960 full-time jobs. They have also engaged 13,000 volunteers.

The results show the powerful impact of investing in social entrepreneurs: they multiply the impact of the support they are given.

About the programme

The programme helps social entrepreneurs in the UK to start up and scale organisations. It provides a year of support, including:

• a learning programme provided by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE)
• mentoring from Lloyds Banking Group
• a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This helps them develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to start up and grow organisations. Hear from people who have taken part in this video:

Alastair Wilson, CEO of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, says: “The people we support tackle the biggest problems in society, while creating meaningful jobs. It’s been a privilege to help them turn their plans into organisations that change lives and transform communities. I always feel inspired when we bring together people from all backgrounds to learn – and we have fun too! These social entrepreneurs are making a real difference, and all of us at the School for Social Entrepreneurs are so proud of the impact they make.”

Building sustainable organisations in deprived communities

Many of the social entrepreneurs are supporting those in the most challenging parts of the UK. One-third are operating in the 20% most deprived areas of the UK.

But with the support of the programme, these social entrepreneurs have developed the personal and business skills they needs to build sustainable, impactful organisations.

The five-year survival rate of the enterprises supported by SSE and the programme is 66%, far outstripping the UK average of 44% for pure-profit businesses.

Fiona Cannon, Group Responsible Business, Sustainability & Inclusion Director, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme helps develop the next generation of social entrepreneurs, the people who are taking action for a social purpose and using business for good. In the first five years, our programme has supported social entrepreneurs to create thousands of jobs, driving economic growth while tackling social and environmental issues in communities across the UK. It’s another demonstration of how we’re helping Britain prosper economically, socially and environmentally.”

Diverse leadership, driving inclusive growth

We champion diversity and inclusion at SSE. The social entrepreneurs supported by the programme are leading the inclusive growth agenda and demonstrating the value of diverse leadership.

One in five of the social entrepreneurs are from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. One in 10 self-identify as having a disability. Two thirds are women or trans women.

The evaluation was conducted by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), the independent think-and-do-tank.

The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme was launched in 2012 and has been delivered in 12 locations in England and Scotland by our network of UK schools. It will run for 10 years, having been renewed for further five years for phase two. By 2020 the programme will have supported around 2,350 social entrepreneurs to start and grow innovative social organisations across the UK.

Register your interest in the 2020-21 programme

Read the evaluation summary report

Find out more about our impact