Social enterprises have a very special purpose - they exist to make a positive social or environmental impact. Some create employment for disadvantaged and vulnerable people, some provide access to products and services that otherwise people couldn't afford and some create products which are better for us and for our planet!
Their success means a more healthy, safe and sustainable world. Right now, Covid-19 is impacting these social enterprises. As sales drop - their impact does too. Collectively these 8 featured social enterprises are losing more than $25K per month in sales which means their beneficiaries might miss out too.
I'm Margaret O'Brien, CEO and Co-Founder of education social enterprise, Young Change Agents and a Founding Board Member of the new Social Enterprise Council NSW and ACT (SECNA). I know Australians will still buy Mothers Day gifts and birthday gifts over the next few months and I hope to encourage you to buy from these fantastic NSW and ACT-based social enterprises so we can have the multiplier effect (the power of 3!):
Power of 3!
1. Your loved one or team member receives a beautiful gift (why not buy in advance!)
2. The social enterprise receives your support through trade (social enterprises prefer selling to donations)
3. The beneficiaries of the social enterprise are supported. These include indigenous Australians. refugees and migrants, artists with a disability and victims of domestic violence. Let's not also forget our environment.
Personally, I have been thrilled to be able to curate this selection of social enterprise products that really shows off the strength of our social enterprise sector! I'm kicking off the campaign buying some gifts, staff thank you's and some of our prizes for our competitions!
Check out the participating social enterprises below and remember the products here are just a little taste of their wider range. I also encourage you to check out their websites and support them there if you wish. Thanks for getting behind this campaign and please share widely with your family, friends and colleagues!
The collection
The Social Outfit is a fashion label with a difference
The Social Outfit are an independently-accredited, ethical trading social enterprise that provides employment and training in the fashion industry to people from refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design and marketing.
They believe that by tapping into the creativity of refugee communities it can lead to empowerment and social inclusion. Ultimately, they want to continue to make and sell quality products that help financially empower people, and provide customers with unique pieces that tell amazing human stories.
The Foldover Purpose: Lined purse measuring 18cm x 14cm (when folded) - the perfect size for a smart phone, cards, cash, and keys. A sturdy YKK zip keeps everything contained and secure.
FABRIC: Outer: 100% organic cotton canvas, spliced with remnant blue velvet (donated by one of our fashion industry partners working to avoid textile waste). Lining: assorted donated fabrics, so the interior of each purse is a unique surprise!
PRINT: The Fairfield community print, featuring artwork by twelve young people from the refugee and new migrant community in Fairfield. Each season they collaborate with artists, designers and our community to create prints exclusive to The Social Outfit. Please note that print placement may vary, as The Social Outfit cuts their products to reduce fabric wastage. Subtle variations can occur in this fabric's texture and print - this is a natural result of organic cotton canvas being derived from plants
The 48 page ruled notebook:
Printed in Australia using carbon neutral, 100% post consumer waste recycled paper and environmentally friendly inks. Variety of designs available.
StudioA - Creating professional pathways for artists
Studio A is a Sydney based arts company that makes great art and specifically provides professional development to artists with intellectual disability. We are the only studio of our kind in NSW. Through Studio A, our artists are exhibiting and selling their work, receiving commissions and even licensing their intellectual property. We supply creative services to companies from Westpac to the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Studio A is driven to ensure artists with intellectual disability have a voice in contemporary Australian culture and to provide employment to our artists, they receive income when their art services are sold.
Two Good - Every woman and child is worthy of love and respect
From an organic soup kitchen in Kings Cross, social enterprise Two Good has expanded to sell restaurant quality salads and soups designed by some of Australia's leading chefs, delivered in distinctive glass jars. This has also expanded to a product range including hand wash and shampoo. For every meal or product purchased, they give an identical one to a local women’s refuge for domestic violence survivors. Two Good also provides training and employment pathways for domestic violence survivors.
The Two
Good Cook Book includes recipes from by Neil Perry, Maggie Beer, Ben
Shewry, Nigella Lawson, Peter Gilmore, Yotam Ottolenghi, Skye Gyngell, Greg
Doyle, Colin Fassnidge, Kylie Kwong, Pasi Petanen, Jackie Middleton, Danielle
Alvarez, Chris Manfield, Analiese Gregory, Sarah Wilson, George Calombaris,
Mitch Orr, Mat Lindsay, Hetty McKinnon, Matt Wilkinson, Jacqui Challinor, Mike
McEnearney, Hamish Ingham, O'Tama Carey, Jonathan Barthelmess and Matt
Moran.
B.OK ideas - Experience wellbeing the memorable way
B.OKideas is a social support movement helping individuals and businesses take charge of their wellbeing through work, life, physical and mental health changes.
By gifting a B.OK Box, joining our B.OK Buddy Community or hosting an experiential workplace wellness event you are enabling those around you to do exactly that!
You can be anywhere in the world and have access to our support resources, experts, gifts, community events and workplace wellness initiatives.
Altina Drinks - Making alcohol-free drinks fun, delicious and accessible
Altina Drinks is on a mission to shake up the Aussie drinking culture. They've used their science smarts to create innovative Zero Proof Craft Cocktails that pack a punch without the alcohol.
Isolation doesn't have to be boozey or boring - Altina's cocktails are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your socialising (try a virtual dinner party with friends or family!).
Altina's signature cocktail, Light Me Up is inspired by native flavours featuring forestberry, a eucalypt with a berry characteristic, supported by wattleseed, green tea and finishing with a kick. This beautiful cocktail is served with dehydrated apples as garnish. Their newest cocktail, La Vie En Rose, features organic hibiscus and pink rose petals, laced with sweet orange and a long finish. This gorgeous cocktail is served with dehydrated oranges as garnish.
Altina Drink’s Zero Proof Craft Cocktails capture the essence of natural ingredients, without relying on excess sugar, fruit juices, or artificial colours and flavours. Free from alcohol, but not the depth of flavour, enjoy without moderation.
Indigiearth - bringing 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture into your home
Based in Mudgee, NSW, Indigiearth are award winning innovators and a leading supplier of modern Australian native products. Their contemporary products are backed by authenticity and integrity.
Their Kakadu Plum Reed Diffuser combines the acclaimed Kakadu Plum with the bush cucumber and Australian bamboo grass to provide a unique fresh fragrance with a twist of orange and the natural, herbaceous scent of leafy green intertwining with a hint of musk. Filled with assorted native seeds and nuts.
Their Wild Rosella Milk Coated Macadamias are a decadent treat or gift made with Australian grown macadamias sourced from Northern NSW.
Base Soaps - reinvesting all profits into health education programs for Australian communities
Base is an ethical soap-making business
run by Lianne and Mick from the beautiful country town of Bungendore, in New
South Wales. By associating the purchase of every-day hygiene products to
the provision of health and hygiene programs for Australian communities,
they aim to encourage people to buy ethically and locally. Base products
are made from simple, high quality materials and are designed for gentle
everyday use. Their soaps are naturally vegan, cruelty free and free
from sulphates and palm oil.
Big Bite Eco - reusable alternatives to single use plastics that are inspired by nature.
Big Bite Eco are always developing new ideas and concepts that utilise new technologies, eco-friendly processes and materials from around the world.
The beautiful biodegradable bamboo fibre container set with Monstera design is made from responsibly sourced and hard wearing eco-friendly materials but it also looks amazing! Perfect as a lunch box set for work or school the three containers nestle perfectly inside each other. Or also great to take to your favourite takeaway joint instead of using their single use plastic packaging!
It's made from super lightweight compound material consisting of Bamboo Fibre (a waste byproduct from bamboo kitchenware production) + PLA (PolyLactic Acid made from fermented corn starch).
The Sustainable Cleaning Products Kit includes- Anti-bacterial Handwash, Eucalyptus disinfectant, All purpose sanitiser, Fruit & Veg Sanitiser and a personal Sanitiser all packaged in recycled glass!
