20 years, 7 social enterprises, £4 million turnover, 1 huge legacy.

After 20 years, Richard Beard will be handing over the reins as Chief Executive of JERICHO at the end of March 2025.

JERICHO’s people are the key to success, and Richard learnt from the ground up. After a career in engineering, he joined the JERICHO staff team in October 2004 to lead a project training people with lived experience of substance misuse, homelessness or offending in construction skills. In 2005, he was appointed Deputy CEO and then taking on the role of Chief Executive in 2006. 

His aspiration was to scale and grow the charity, further develop the social impact and to increase the proportion of income that came from trading rather than grants. 

In Richard’s first year, JERICHO trading income was less than 10% of £420,000 annual income. As Richard steps away from JERICHO, group income is above £4 million with 80% trading income…. So, mission accomplished! 

Katie Webb, incoming JERICHO CEO, and Richard Beard, outgoing CEO.

Incoming Chief Executive, Katie Webb, says, “The work to create a fairer society doesn’t stop. There is still so much to do to help level the playing field and providing supported work placements for people who need them most must continue so we can help change lives and improve life chances. My aspiration for my term leading JERICHO is to build on Richard’s amazing legacy, continue innovating and to keep trying to build a fairer society.” 

“We are already developing new employability-focused projects and programmes that will help us support more people with barriers to entering the workforce. Going forwards, as well as focusing on training and supporting people to progress to roles in foundational sectors, we would love to create new supported work opportunities that equip and upskill people for the ‘jobs of tomorrow’ as well enable routes into mainstream work in key areas where we are already seeing labour shortages such as health and social care, childcare and manufacturing.” 

Richard’s contribution to the West Midlands regional social economy is not to be underestimated. In the November Social Economy Awards 2025, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority, as he was shortlisted for Overall Contribution to the Social Economy (Individual) category. 

Under Richard’s stewardship, JERICHO employment outcomes currently range from 84% to 100% annually for people progressing into employment, education or other positive outcomes, and has generated £2 million of added social value in 2023/24.  

Richard Beard says, “I’m truly delighted to be handing the Chief Executive baton onto an incredibly talented and capable successor who I’m confident will lead JERICHO to the next level.” 

“What am I proud of, aside from all those people who have been involved with JERICHO over the last 20 years, is that JERICHO is now known as leaders in the fields of supported employment and modern slavery.”  

Colin Marsh, Chair of Trustees, says, “Huge thanks to Richard for his many years of excellent service to JERICHO. I am looking forward to working with Katie Webb in the months ahead.” 

Katie Webb, Colin Marsh (Chair of Trustees), Richard Beard

About JERICHO

JERICHO is an award-winning charity that provides supported work opportunities for people facing extreme challenges in getting a job. The organisation primarily supports marginalised young people and survivors of modern slavery. What is truly different about the JERICHO model is the combination of vital support and activities which are offered alongside supported work placements. The person-centred JERICHO approach helps reduce isolation, support recovery, promote inclusion and ultimately supports people to become more employable and transform their lives. 

JERICHO Celebrates Double Award Win

We are thrilled that our charity, social enterprises and team members have recently received five award nominations - winning two!

First, we were proud to see our Miracle Laundry social enterprise crowned winners in the Responsible Business Award category at the LADAs (The Laundry and Drycleaning Awards).

Georgia Bantock, Miracle Laundry Manager said: “I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of the Miracle Team. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team, who are committed not only to delivering exceptional service but also to making a meaningful impact on our community.”

The accolades continued on an unforgettable night at the Social Economy Awards where the Wood Shack & ReUsers took home the Excellence in Green Impact Award.

Other JERICHO nominees included:

🏆 JERICHO - Social Enterprise of the Year

❤️ ChangeKitchen - Excellence in Community Impact

👤 Richard Beard - Overall Contribution to the Social Economy (Individual)

Nigel Lawrence, left, collecting the Responsible Business Award on behalf of Miracle Laundry at the 2024 LADAs.

Lucy, Jon & Mohzam (all centre) receiving the Excellence in Green Impact at the Social Economy Awards.

ChangeKitchen CIC is Crowdfunding for Change in our City

Our joint venture social enterprise, ChangeKitchen CIC, is passionate about food justice in our city, and has launched a September crowdfunding campaign to create positive change in the local community.

Their Crowdfunding UK campaign focuses on increasing the health and wellbeing of people and families in the local community, reducing food poverty, and enabling job creation for those experiencing worklessness.

Match funding from both Aviva and Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, means that for the first £150 of each donation ChangeKitchen CIC can claim match funding of x5 until 29th September 2024. Meaning £25 becomes £125, and £150 becomes a huge £750!

WHY IS THIS NEEDED

Communities are still struggling with the cost of living and food poverty, especially among families. Balsall Heath is a deeply rooted, multi-cultural neighbourhood that is also one of the most deprived in the country.

ChangeKitchen CIC are proudly located in the heart of the Balsall Heath community.

In the last year, ChangeKitchen CIC has seen the need for free community meals rise from 200 per week to currently over 500 per week.

With this Crowdfunding campaign they are being ambitious and aiming to raise £50,000 to ensure the nutritional health and wellbeing of individuals and families during this continued cost of living crisis.

WHAT CHANGEKITCHEN CIC WILL DO

ChangeKitchen CIC can provide a free community meal for £1 – so every £1 donated can make a real difference to a real human who is experiencing real hunger right now.

ChangeKitchen CIC are using this crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness of Birmingham food insecurity, help change the financial ability of families to feed themselves nutritiously, and create added social impact:

• Produce and distribute more free community meals to people experiencing food poverty.

• Provide healthy eating training within the local Balsall Heath community supporting meal planning and promoting good household budgeting.

• Create and seek out more work experience and employment opportunities (for those who are struggling to find work in catering and hospitality).

ChangeKitchen CIC will do this by developing their ready meal offer and creating more sales, therefore creating more income, meaning more profits will be re-invested into the ChangeKitchen CIC social enterprise aims.

In the first week, over £25,000 has been raised and is already making a real difference. Local people have been donating already and businesses can book catered events through the Cooking Up Change for Birmingham Crowdfunder UK campaign page.

Birgit Kehrer, founder of ChangeKitchen CIC, says, “On behalf of the whole ChangeKitchen CIC team, we are so incredibly grateful for the support and kindness of our network and the community. It’s a firm belief within our social enterprise that no one should be going hungry in this day and age. Many parents give up their own meals to ensure their children have something to eat. There is a taboo, a real sense of shame, around people not being able to afford a basic human need such as nutritious food. We, at ChangeKitchen CIC, are committed to changing that, so we’re #CookingUpChange and asking people and businesses to get behind our crowdfunding campaign and donate to make a difference this September.”

The crowdfunding campaign runs until 29th September 2024.

Read the ChangeKitchen UK crowdfunding journey here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/changekitchen

JERICHO Named In Top 100 UK Social Enterprises Again

We are delighted to be named as one of this year’s Top 100 UK social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 list.

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. View the full 2024 list here.

JERICHO’s family of social enterprises offer an excellent range of goods and services with the added benefit of providing supported employment opportunities for people facing extreme challenges in getting a job. This includes marginalised young people and survivors of modern slavery.

The West Brom announces JERICHO as their new charity partner of the year

JERICHO is pleased to be announced as The West Brom’s charity partner for 2024/2025.  

The West Brom’s core purpose lies with ensuring customers and communities own a more secure future through access to housing and financial wellbeing. The ambition of JERICHO is very closely aligned to this with our work being about more than just jobs. What makes us different is our combination of vital support and activities. These reduce isolation, support recovery and promote inclusion to transform lives and help people become more employable. 

Amy Mason, ESG Lead at the West Brom said “I am thrilled to be embarking on this partnership with JERICHO as they really support local people within our community. JERICHO’s values are wholly aligned to the values of the West Brom, and I am eager to see this partnership grow over the next 12 months”.   

Rebecca Stone, Head of Fundraising at Jericho said “We are delighted to have been chosen as charity of the year by the West Brom. It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of JERICHO as well as much needed funds to deliver our services. We know our work changes lives, breaking generational cycles of poverty and empowering people to be part of their own future, and with the West Broms support we will reach many more people this year”. 

Miracle Laundry social enterprise celebrates seventh birthday

JERICHO’s Miracle Laundry social enterprise celebrated seven years of operation last week.

The laundry, which offers self service washing and drying plus ironing and dry cleaning, hosted a birthday event to say thank you to customers and staff.

Georgia Bantock, Miracle Laundry Manager said “It’s been amazing to have seen the growth of the Miracle Laundry over the last seven years. Thanks to our customers, we have been able to employ and support people who were facing extreme challenges in getting a job including survivors of modern slavery”.

A laundry customer said “To all of the lovely staff at Miracle Laundry, A huge thanks for all of your excellent customer service over the last couple of years…hope to be back again soon”

Find out more about the Miracle Laundry here.

£123m spent in the last year with social enterprises

JERICHO is proud to be part of Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge, which supports large businesses to engage with social enterprises through their supply chains.

The Buy Social Corporate Challenge includes 30 major businesses, from construction companies and law firms to insurance providers and professional services. A new report from Social Enterprise UK reveals this year has been the biggest and best yet, seeing corporate partners spend £123 million with social enterprises, making £477 million in total since this work began in 2016.

We’re one of 1,778 social enterprises who’ve been brought into major corporate supply chains by the Challenge, which so far has created around 4,515 social enterprise jobs. Having seen first-hand the benefits for both sides when social enterprises win corporate contracts, we’re very pleased to be involved in driving such positive change across business sectors.

The social value at the heart of our work is a growing trend in the wider business world, and we’re proudly leading the way. Find out more in the latest report from Social Enterprise UK: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/seuk-report/buy-social-corporate-challenge-year-8-report/

JERICHO to Host Social Economy Forum

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.

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 National Lottery Heritage 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. 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 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. 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

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.

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.

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

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:

• Allies Network

• Bethel Health & Healing Network

• Baobab Women’s Project CIC

• Hope Projects

• Victim Support West Midlands

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Well done to our fantastic team for all their hard work