I was recently asked by the Surrey Social Enterprise Network to manage two events for them to highlight the diversity of enterprise in the County and raise the profile of some of the great initiatives out there.

The first event at Royal British Legion Industries, based in Leatherhead, entitled ‘Social Enterpirse Works’ offered insight into how a social enterprise business functions and at the same time maintains a social purpose.

RBLI offers Print, Mail & Handwork services, and marries this commercial activity with their employment and social objectives for disability.

RBLI has doubled its operation in the last three years, quite an achivement for any company in the present economic climate.  They are an exemplar of what can be achieved and testament to the hard work and business acumen of the team in Leatherhead.

The invited guests numbered local businesses, Government Officers, suppliers and community members and Manager Mike Touhy and his staff team were proud to showcase the specialist work of RBLI.

The second event saw the Launch of Furnistore in their new premises on the Holmethorpe Industrial Estate.

Furnistore is East Surrey’s local furniture re-use organisation.  As a registered charity, their main aim is to provide people on ‘low incomes’ with good usable furniture.  In doing this they also help the environment by preventing unwanted furniture from going to landfill (a major problem in the South-East of England).

Visitors gathered as Councillor David Pay the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead accompanied by the Mayoress, perfomed the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon.