How can we ensure that social enterprise is fair for people experiencing homelessness?
Martin Burrows of Inclusive Insight explores new research commissioned by Homeless Link on how social enterprises can ensure the way they work is fair for those involved.
In a system that can often be ‘unfair’, it’s important that organisations working with people experiencing homelessness embrace fairness in the way they work. New research explores how involvement in charitable trading can be fair for all.
During my time working at Groundswell, I witnessed the incredible contribution that my colleagues, many of whom had current or very recent experience of homelessness, made towards tackling inequality. I also saw the transformative power volunteering could have on people’s lives. However, it was an ongoing challenge to ensure that what people ‘give’ balances with what they ‘get’ in return. When people have gotten used to the raw deal of homelessness, they may feel indebted or lack the confidence to speak up. And when that balance isn’t right it can create feelings of unfairness and resentment. Our work can have unintended consequences that it would pay to be mindful of.
For social enterprise and trading where there is an inherent tension between business objectives and social goals, the issue becomes further apparent. At the forefront is how people are compensated for their contribution, clarity of roles and managing expectations. A common question (and sometimes criticism) is why aren’t people being paid? The answer is never simple, particularly when navigating the benefits system. However, ensuring that the offer of support, training, expenses and a positive experience is counterbalanced to the contribution is essential.
Initial research by our team at Inclusive Insight has revealed that this topic is not a fringe issue and that many organisations with trading activities are battling this dilemma. However, there is a lack of evidence and shared good practice. In recent years we have seen an increase in organisations exploring trading models as a means to diversify income or offer opportunities to service users with the best intentions. We are striving to support those intentions with implementable models of best practice, but we need help to get there.
We are looking for social enterprises and charitable organisations with trading activities or business models that offer training, employment or volunteering opportunities to participate in this research. First by completing a survey that will help us map the types of enterprise, understand involvement opportunities and identify good practice. Taking part will help to address one of the major issues in charitable trading and enterprise and create an aspirational framework for social enterprises working towards ending homelessness.
In this research, we plan to explore the grey areas, where issues with fairness and power imbalances can present themselves. A key example is when volunteers have similar duties to paid members of staff. Some of the existing literature tells us that the closer a volunteer role is to a paid role, the more likely it is to move people towards being ‘employment ready’. However, at what point does this become unfair, or even exploitative?
Our work so far has also revealed the sheer diversity of enterprises and trading activities that involve people experiencing homelessness. The survey we are launching will map and investigate different models of working, opportunities for involvement, the support offered and how different approaches can impact social outcomes. This is the first time a mapping exercise of this type has been undertaken in England. Survey responses are anonymous and take around 20–30 minutes to complete and there’s a £100 prize draw for participant organisations. We hope it will provide the evidence needed to improve practice for all.
This blog was written by Martin Burrows of Inclusive Insight who are delivering this research on behalf of Homeless Link. The link for the survey is here: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90432814/Fairness-in-Enterprise.
