Supporting those who are excluded from the labour market
Volunteers at Invermoriston Village Shop
Bringing people together through employment
Plunkett UK has been advocating the community ownership model for over a century, demonstrating a proven track record of fostering prosperity for individuals, communities, the economy, and the environment.
As part of our mission to foster inclusive, resilient, and flourishing communities throughout the UK, we urge community-owned businesses to make a positive impact in five key areas, including creating access to more employment, training, and volunteering opportunities.
Community businesses are actively investing in local residents by offering employment, training, and volunteering roles. In rural areas, securing traditional job opportunities can be challenging, but community businesses are well-placed to provide diverse opportunities that enhance skills, build confidence, and empower individuals to advance their careers in the future.
Our sector is supported by an estimated workforce of 4,000 people who are employed in roles that are often flexible and suited to supporting individuals who have struggled to find employment through mainstream means.
Furthermore, this workforce is bolstered further by approximately 25,000 volunteers who perform duties from back office and governance/compliance to maintenance and cleaning, to marketing and front of house roles.
Quite simply, the community business movement is one with a network of dedicated people at its heart.
Eli (DofE Volunteer) Colette and Gill from Barford Village Shop
Statistics from Plunkett UK’s ‘Community Ownership: A Better Form of Business’ 2023
Terry and Tilly at last year’s 2033 Rural Community Business Awards
An insight in creating roles for young people!
In the context of rural communities, creating fair paid, flexible employment for young people is supporting a generation that are leaving rural areas due to a lack of opportunities, according to research from Plunkett partners, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRSE).
At our Rural Community Business Awards 2023, Plunkett celebrated several young people who are currently involved – in a range of roles – with community businesses across the UK.
One of the highly commended entrants to the Awards was Tilly Goodwin, from The Auctioneers Arms at Caverswall. This community-owned pub in the Midlands has actively sought to create roles for young people, through apprenticeships and working with the local college. Tilly started in the backroom and kitchen-based roles, before progressing to front of house where she serves with distinction – something which has been formally recognised by Newcastle College. Tilly is a great example of how a young person’s confidence can grow, with the right support and an opportunity to work in an inclusive business environment.
Uniting the community through employment and training
Chopwell Regeneration Group, a grassroots, community-led charity in Chopwell, Gateshead, North East England, is dedicated to revitalising their village and enhancing the lives of local residents through various cultural, health, and educational initiatives. In 2022, they transformed an abandoned bank, known as “The Bank,” into a social enterprise and community welfare centre, serving as a hub for Chopwell. This initiative has not only united the community but has also instilled opportunities in a village faced with significant socio-economic challenges.
Since The Bank was established, they have implemented a skills program, such as the ‘Code & Create’ initiative for children aged 7-11, fostering technological skills and nurturing interest in computing and science. Additionally, through partnerships with the local job centre, they offer 8-week work experience placements to individuals facing long-term unemployment. The success stories are evident, as the first two residents who completed the programme secured permanent employment, with one even receiving the ‘Worker of The Year’ award.
Their dedication to broader learning and activity initiatives is not only creating numerous prospects for local residents, but also transforming lives within the community.
The National Community Business Conference 2024
At our National Community Business Conference, there will be a whole range of panels and workshops ran by experts that will help your community business thrive. One of these sessions is an expert panel, which will focus on creating impact through volunteering, training and employment. This panel discussion will explore how creating inclusive opportunities can benefit your organisation and create wider social and economic impacts beyond your own community business.
If you are looking for advice in this particular topic, book your ticket by clicking the button below.
We want to support you!
Plunkett UK answers enquiries every day from people across the country who are exploring the idea of setting up a community business, as well as existing businesses that require additional support.
We provide specialist business advice, training, webinars and toolkits.
Get in touch with us to for advice and support.
