JERICHO to Host Social Economy Forum
This May FORUM session extends the VCFSE conversation from the 2023/24 session, Finding and accessing new Market Opportunities, and explores expert insights from two sustainable social enterprises who have, and are, creating change through their innovation of new products and services.
On behalf of BSSEC CIC, we would like to invite you to be part of the Social Economy FORUM, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority, and focused on VCFSE frontline organisations trading in the seven WMCA localities.
This is a VCFSE 'bottom up' knowledge-based network providing insights, peer support and a voice for the sector that feeds into the WMCA Social Economy Advisory Group that is focused on growing the regional social economy.
Social Economy FORUM #7:
TOPIC: Developing new products and services, and driving market innovation
DATE: Tuesday 14th May 2024, 11.00am to 12.30pm, in-person, Balsall Heath B12.
BSSEC CIC is continuing our social economy growth support for the VCFSE sector, with support from West Midlands Combined Authority, for 2024/25.
This May FORUM session extends the VCFSE conversation from the 2023/24 session, Finding and accessing new Market Opportunities, and explores expert insights from two sustainable social enterprises who have, and are, creating change through their innovation of new products and services.
For this May FORUM venue, our sector thanks go to:
Birgit Kehrer, CEO of ChangeKitchen CIC - an award-winning catering social enterprise working to reduce food injustice and improve life opportunities.
Richard Beard, CEO of Jericho - a family of seven social enterprises that provide supported work opportunities for people facing challenges in getting a job.
FORUM REGISTRATION | To join the FORUM network and receive regular event invitations and updates, please register here.
ATTEND EVENT | Please email here to express interest in attending the May FORUM event.
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS | Access all session summary reports here.
Voices of Hope
Today we unveiled ‘Voices of Hope’ a Heritage Lottery funded exhibition celebrating 30 years of JERICHO.
Today, we unveiled ‘Voices of Hope’ a Heritage Lottery funded exhibition celebrating 30 years of JERICHO.
The launch event, held at Edward Road Baptist Church in Balsall Heath where JERICHO began in 1993, was attended by current and former beneficiaries and staff plus our founder, Christine Parkinson.
You can view the online version of the exhibition here ➔
JERICHO‘s Voices of Hope exhibition is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Thanks to the National Lottery players for making this exhibition possible.
JERICHO & Shoosmiths Impact Report
Over the past year, funding from the Shoosmiths Foundation has enabled us to provide additional social mobility-focused support on top of our work and training opportunities. The impact has been transformational.
Over the past year, funding from the Shoosmiths Foundation has enabled us to provide additional social mobility-focused support on top of our work and training opportunities. The impact has been transformational. Our increased capacity meant that we were able to invest time in forging links with employers and creating opportunities to visit them for ‘careers days’ to learn about their organisations and career paths. Many of our beneficiaries were clearly inspired and motivated by these visits.
The JERICHO Jump Start project began in October 2022 and enabled us to:
provide JERICHO beneficiaries with the support they need to enter and sustain mainstream employment after a JERICHO programme
instil the confidence, self-belief and skills in JERICHO beneficiaries to believe their future can be brighter than their past
encourage and challenge JERICHO beneficiaries to ‘think big’ and create a career and life plan which builds in progression, promotion, and fulfilment, being both aspirational and achievable
build relationships with mainstream employers/corporate partners to create welcoming, strong routes to sustainable employment for JERICHO beneficiaries
disrupt the likely trajectory of long-term unemployment/ low aspiration and create a more level playing field from which to progress in work and life
In total, we supported 50 people who were facing challenges to employment such as being a survivor of modern slavery, having little or no work experience, low confidence, a mental health condition and depression/anxiety. 77% progressed into a positive outcome.
P who was supported on the project said: “After recently moving to the Birmingham area I came to JERICHO mainly to find work and to seek direction on how to get work. I had some previous bad experience in a work place and because of that kept to voluntary work. In the time I worked at The ReUsers I have gained confidence in myself and also when it comes to working with people. I had fun working with the people there as it is a friendly laid back environment. I am grateful for my time there and look forward to next chapter in paid employment in a high street retail company.”
Dawn Hall, JERICHO’s People Support Manager said: “we are delighted that we have been able to help P into paid employment and grateful to the Shoosmiths Foundation for enabling us to provide additional support to P and others.”
JERICHO Jump Start has now become an integral part of our service delivery and we are committed to continue to deliver this aspiration raising element of our programme. We have already submitted several applications to grant making trusts specifically for this project and hope to receive positive news in the coming weeks.
You can download the full end-of-year report here.
Christmas Gifts for Survivors of Modern Slavery
Every Christmas we present the survivors of modern slavery on our Equiano project with a gift bag and this year is no different. If you would like to get involved in the creation of these bags we would love your donations
Every Christmas we present the survivors of modern slavery on our Equiano project with a gift bag and this year is no different. If you would like to get involved in the creation of these bags we would love donations of the below items:
Notebook and Pen X30
Chocolates/Gelatine-free sweets X30
Men x10:
Hats, Scarves, Gloves
Thick Socks
Toiletry set/shave kit
Any other gifts such as:
travel mugs
British History books (some of our men really enjoy learning about history)
wallet etc.
Women x20:
Fluffy Socks
Craft/art sets
Gloves, Hat, scarves
Toiletry sets/hair care (we have an elderly lady who likes Dove)
Any other gifts that may be suitable such as:
travel mugs
fairy lights
jewellery
purse etc.
To donate, please drop the items at either our head office in Balsall Heath or our ReUsers & Wood Shack social enterprises in Sutton Coldfield by 8th December.
For more infomration, please email nicole.newman@jericho.org.uk
Social Enterprise Day 2023
Today is Social Enterprise Day - a moment to raise awareness of our pioneering business model and celebrate the more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK working to benefit people and planet
Today is Social Enterprise Day - a moment to raise awareness of our pioneering business model and celebrate the more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK working to benefit people and planet. Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose. Like any other business, we look to make a profit, but it is what we do with that profit that sets us apart: reinvesting the majority to further our vital mission.
At JERICHO, we operate seven social enterprises across Birmingham to provide work opportunities and individualised support for people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job. These could include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
Earlier this year, we were named in the top 100 UK social enterprises for 2023.
Celebrating 30 Years of Changing Lives
We recently marked 30 years of changing lives with a celebration event for some of our supporters, funders and partners
On 19th October, we marked our 30th birthday with a celebration event at Fort Dunlop with speakers including our CEO, Richard Beard, long-term supporters SCCT, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Team ITG plus the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street.
Hosted by BBC WM’s Nikki Tapper, it was a fantastic day that saw some of our supporters, funders and partners celebrate together and see the impact of 30 years of changing lives.
Our seven social enterprises were there showcasing their products and services and showing how easy it is to give back and create a life-changing opportunity just by purchasing from them.
Also in attendance were some of our current beneficiaries as was our founder, Christine Parkinson.
Healthy vegan & vegetarian food was provided thanks to our ChangeKitchen social enterprise.
The social enterprise displays included sustainable reclaimed wooden products from The Wood Shack.
Some of the artwork was on display from our survivor of modern slavery art therapy sessions.
Started in 1993 by volunteers from Edward Road Baptist Church in Balsall Heath, JERICHO began as a drop-in centre for people in their local area, which at the time was the red light district of Birmingham.
Over the years, we have operated 15 social enterprises to provide work opportunities and individualised support for people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job. These could include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
In total, we have helped over 8,500 people.
Photos - Mustard Yellow Photography
JERICHO Named In Top 100 UK Social Enterprises
We are thrilled to be named as one of the UK's top 100 social enterprises in this year's NatWest SE100.
We are thrilled to be named as one of the UK's top 100 social enterprises in this year's NatWest SE100.
It’s a brilliant achievement and is a testament to the hard work of our team in helping to support people who are facing real and significant challenges in getting a job.
You can view the full SE100 list here.
About the Natwest SE100
This year’s SE100 Top 100 includes businesses and trading charities from across the UK delivering a diverse range of goods and services, from jobs and training to books, bread, period products, cycling and clean energy.
The list was selected according to a number of different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues – including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.
The NatWest SE100 Index was created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, the bank’s independent social investment charity.
The Big 3-0
This year, we are celebrating our 30th birthday. That’s 30 years of giving people who need it most, the break they need to feel and be more employable.
This year, we are celebrating our 30th birthday. That’s 30 years of giving people who need it most, the break they need to feel and be more employable.
Since founding in 1993, we have supported over 8,000 people who were facing real and significant challenges in getting a job. These include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
JERICHO 30 for 30
To celebrate our birthday, we have launched JERICHO 30 for 30 and would love for you to take part.
Think of a fundraising challenge involving the number 30 that you can do on your own, with friends, family or with your colleagues.
Be bold, be silly, be creative. What’s your 30 for 30?
Jericho Workspace Office Available
Jericho Workspace has a private office space for 4/5 people available to rent. Come and join our community hub of like minded organisations.
Come and join our workspace community!
We have a private office space for 4/5 people available to rent for £550 pcm in our workspace social enterprise.
Located in Balsall Heath, Jericho Workspace is a co-working and training venue that is a hub for organisations that support others, including:
Find out more and enquire here... jerichoworkspace.uk/office-space
Wood Shack Launches New Workshop
The Mayor of Sutton Coldfield opened our Wood Shack social enterprise’s new workshop today.
The Mayor of Sutton Coldfield opened our Wood Shack social enterprise’s new workshop today.
It was fantastic to see so many people attend, have a tour of the site and workshop and hear the story of the Wood Shack and upcoming plans. A special thanks to our ChangeKitchen social enterprise for the delicious food.
Built from donated shipping containers, the workshop will provide a dry, warm space to create reclaimed wood products whilst training people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job.
The workshop will also provide a base for future woodwork classes, including women in woodwork, upcycling furniture, woodwork basics & wood carving.
About The Wood Shack
The Wood Shack collects waste wood to prevent it going to landfill and sells it in our Timber Yard in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
As a JERICHO social enterprise, they help people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job. These could include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
Wood Shack Opening Hours
From 1st March, the opening hours of the timber yard at our Wood Shack social enterprise are changing to include Sunday trading.
From 1st March, the opening hours of the timber yard at our Wood Shack social enterprise are changing to include Sunday trading.
Mon-Tue: Closed
Wed-Sat: 8:30am-4pm
Sun: 10am-4pm
The wood collection service will continue to operate Monday-Fridays.
About The Wood Shack
The Wood Shack collects waste wood to prevent it going to landfill and sells it in our Timber Yard in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
As a JERICHO social enterprise, they help people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job. These could include trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges.
Awards Season Continues
We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the Excellence in Third Sector category at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards 2023
We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the Excellence in Third Sector category at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards 2023.
It doesn’t end there though… we are also finalists in the Charity or Community Contributor of the Year category at the Midlands Service Excellence Awards.
That makes four nominations in recent months, including our community excellence award at the Signature Awards.
It’s so great to receive this recognition for our team’s hard work in helping to give people who need it most, the break they need to be and feel more employable.
We Won!
We won! Thrilled to win the community excellence award at last week's Signature Awards.
We won! Thrilled to win the community excellence award at last week's Signature Awards.
Well done to our fantastic team for all their hard work
The ReUsers Turns Ten!!!
This month, our ReUsers social enterprise is celebrating it’s tenth birthday!
This month, our ReUsers social enterprise is celebrating it’s tenth birthday!
A massive thank you to all our customers and supporters for ten incredible years. Thanks to you, we've grown from one room with a couple of staff to the large scale operation we run now.
In total, we have diverted over 1.3 million kgs of reusable items from landfill. This has enabled us to support over 130 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job such as trauma, insufficient work experience, health & wellbeing needs, education barriers and communication challenges. This number includes 16 survivors of modern slavery and over 80 apprentices. We are proud to have played a part in their journey towards sustainable employment.
Keep an eye on The ReUsers FB page as we re-live some of our favourite stories, memories and donations, look back over our history and hear from our staff and beneficiaries.
Another Award Nomination!
We are delighted to have been nominated for another award. This time in the Community Excellence category at The Signature Awards
We are delighted to have been nominated for another award. This time in the Community Excellence category at The Signature Awards on 10th Feb.
Well done to our team for all their hard work.
Three Boeing 737’s diverted from landfill!
In 2022, our ReUsers social enterprise diverted over 139,000 kgs of reusable items from landfill. That’s more than three Boeing 737s!
In 2022, our ReUsers social enterprise diverted over 139,000 kgs of reusable items from landfill. That’s more than three Boeing 737s!
The money from these items allowed them to support 32 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job, including young people and survivors of modern slavery.
Thanks to everyone for your support. Your contribution has helped to change lives.
About The ReUsers
The ReUsers is a charity department store that rescues and recycles second hand items
TThey prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high quality used goods at cost effective prices.
The money generated from selling these items allows us to support people who face real and significant challenges in getting a job.
Merry Christmas
JERICHO and our social enterprises wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
JERICHO and our social enterprises wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
We are closing today and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd Jan with the exception of The ReUsers who are back a day earlier at 10am on Monday 2nd.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported, partnered, funded and bought from us this year. Together we have helped 137 people who faced real and significant challenges in getting a job, including young people and survivors of modern slavery.
See you in 2023!
Small Business of the Year Nomination
We are delighted that our ReUsers & The Wood Shack social enterprises have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year Award
We are delighted that our ReUsers & The Wood Shack social enterprises, have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year at the upcoming Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards.
The awards will take place on 3rd Feb at Drayton Manor Hotel.
From Beneficiary to Trustee
James Crystal has recently joined our board of trustees. Here’s his story from beneficiary to trustee
James Crystal is a social entrepreneur whose lived experience and subsequent life transformation has provided him with a platform allowing him to use his past to help the future of others.
A few months ago he joined our board of trustees. Here’s his story from beneficiary to trustee:
“7 years ago when I was in a rehab centre shortly after being released from prison I was helped by JERICHO when they gave me an opportunity to gain some work experience to add to my blank CV. Due to my own complex issues at the time, I only lasted two days, but nonetheless JERICHO was prepared to invest in me, and had hope for me when I was in in a hopeless state.
Now I have found real hope, stability, consistency, and healing, I have been blessed with opportunities to use my darkness from yesterday to make other people's tomorrow brighter.
This is why when I was approached to consider applying to become a trustee of JERICHO I welcomed the opportunity.
Established in 1993 (the year I was born!), JERICHO provides people with work and training in their social businesses and supports via multiple social projects.
Their model is simple, but brilliant, they provide supported employment opportunities in businesses which offer great value goods and services to the local community.
I was talking to one of the managers a couple of weeks ago and he was telling me how he always aims to "surprise people with kindness", a phrase that represents JERICHO very well, and also made me consider my own life and how I can do the same.
JERICHO are breaking barriers, and changing lives and it is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to support them, in a very small way, carry out the phenomenonal, life changing work they are absolutely devoted to.”
Christmas Jumper Competition
The ReUsers is running a Christmas competition where we are asking you to design a festive jumper to go on display in our new Children’s Room.
This year, The ReUsers is running a Christmas competition where we are asking you to design a festive jumper to go on display in our new Children’s Room.
The competition is running between 13th and 30th Nov with all entries going into a draw to win a £50 ReUsers voucher. One lucky winner will be drawn at random and announced on The ReUsers Facebook on 1st December so make sure you are following our page to see if you win.
How to Enter
Download your jumper below, design and colour it in and return it to one of our till points by 1st December for your chance to win. You can also pick up your jumper in-store.