SOFEA, based in Didcot Oxfordshire, is one of 6 social enterprise hubs helping to delivery the eScalate business support programme, which is a three-year project delivered by OxLEP & OSEP, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The programme runs until March 2022 to support Social Enterprises, social entrepreneurs, enterprising charities and purposeful businesses.
Social enterprise hub SOFEA, has a dual social mission – educating disadvantaged young people and providing surplus food to other not for profit organisations.
Founded just over 5 years ago, by former teacher Richard Kennell, it has grown to a revenue of £1.5m, employing 48 people on three sites.
During the lockdown it has scaled up its operations to deliver 3,000 emergency food parcels per week.
Ahead of launching its inaugural POP2020: Power of Purpose festival from 16th to 20th November 2020, OSEP caught up with Richard to ask what the impact of the eScalate programme has been on the organisation so far, and why they were keen to be involved from the start. >>
Why did you feel it was important to be part of the team delivering the eScalate programme?
We wanted to get involved in eScalate because, since we formed in 2014, we have worked hard to build partnerships and work with other social entrepreneurs, not for profits and charities, because they are essential to providing goods, services and support in ways that more traditional approaches cannot do.
What impact do you think supporting more socially conscious organisations will have on our local economy and community?
Our own education programme, food operation and other social enterprises now provide employment for over 60 people, two thirds of whom have experienced barriers to their employment.
Our experience during the initial Covid lockdown in the spring showed the collective power of this sector – responding rapidly and locally to the needs of local communities. Within a few weeks of the lockdown we were providing 5 times more food than previously through a network of 77 local organisations.
How has the eScalate programme helped SOFEA over the last 18 months?
The eScalate programme enables us to network with inspiring members of the social enterprise community, share experiences and help the sector to grow.
SOFEA will be hosting Scaling Your Purpose Project as part of POP2020 on 16th November, where Richard will be discussing how to turn your project into one that can generate revenue and operate at scale. If you would like to join this fully funded session, sign up here.
You can sign up to all the eScalate POP2020 events on Eventbrite, here’s the full schedule >>
