Power to Change celebrate community business in new campaign

FC United of Manchester is one of 7,800 community businesses in the UK. Credit: Peter McDermott

The independent trust Power to Change has launched a new campaign to shine a light on how community businesses across the UK are working to tackle society’s biggest problems.

Community businesses are being asked to share how and why they matter to local people as part of the ‘Community Business Matters’ campaign.

Power to Change will launch a series of campaign films that show how community businesses are working to help with issues such as social isolation and poor mental health.

Vidhya Alakeson, the CEO of Power to Change, said: ‘The beauty of community business is that anyone can get involved, from setting one up, to becoming a shareholder, trustee, volunteer, employee or valued customer.

‘One of our core priorities at Power to Change is to help communities to harness the skills, leadership and entrepreneurialism that already exist at the local level.

‘Community Business Weekend is a great way to both celebrate and uncover the skills that can bring vibrancy and economic growth to local areas.’

Community Business Weekend was first created by Power to Change in 2016 to celebrate and raise awareness of the UK’s community businesses.

Last year, over 17,000 people visited 225 community businesses over the course of the event to find out more about their work.

Ahead of this year’s event Power To Change has already launched three films documenting the work of different community businesses across the country.

Two more films are set to be released, looking at the work of the Birmingham social enterprise Ideal for All and the Manchester football club FC United of Manchester.

Throughout the weekend, community businesses will hold events such as street parties, speaker events and tours to promote their work.

Research conducted by Power to Change last year showed that the UK’s community business sector is growing rapidly.

Over 7,800 community businesses were recorded as being in operation across the UK in 2018, with the sector employing 33,600 people and contributing £1.05bn to local economies.