FAQs

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer direct purchasing at this time. We have tried to indicate where online sales are possible through the individual enterprise entries in our directory.

Social enterprises sell products and services to support social and environmental objectives. Just as a private business can be established in a number of different legal forms, so too can social enterprises. While some may look more like a charity, others may appear more like a traditional business. The term social enterprise is used to describe a range of enterprises but all of whom who put social impact at their heart.

In launching this site just before Christmas we focused initially on listing product based organisations. We will be adding service and venue-based initiatives in the new year.

Scotland Loves Local is another great national campaign established to support local communities. Some of our social enterprises will also feature in this work. The difference with that campaign is that it involves all businesses not just social enterprises.

The Buy Social campaign is part of a global initiative, started by our friends at SEUK (Social Enterprise UK). They also have a directory of organisations. Please contact us if you have an interest out with the UK. We would be happy to introduce to our global partners as there more than 10 countries who have adopted the Buy Social trademark.

Depending on the legal structure of a social enterprise it may commit a different level of profits towards its social aim. This could be due to a number of reasons including how the business plans to raise finance, where start-up capital came from or whether it also applies for charitable funds. We felt it was important to be transparent about this and so added this additional filter.

There are many examples of private sector businesses that support community and/or charity causes. Whether through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) plans or simply through the relationship a business may have with its local community. We absolutely applaud this work and some of these businesses may also have relationships with social enterprises in their areas too. However, unlike a social enterprise they are not legally bound to do this and that’s what differentiates social enterprises.

We would love to feature you and will continue to add social enterprises as they get in touch. Please complete the online form and one of our team will get back to you.

There is lots of free support available to start a social enterprise and start up finance may also be available. For more information please visit www.firstport.org.uk or use our general contact form and we will advise you.