It is rare for a Private Members Bill to reach the statute book but last Tuesday (28 February 2012) the Bill had its final passage through the House of Lords. What this will mean is that in future charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises will find it easier to win public contracts.

Currently the Government’s annual spend on commissioning and procurement is £236 billion with just 11% delivered by social enterprises and charities.

This is also good news for the taxpayer as it will allow our money to be spent on achieving solutions to social problems, rather than creating private profit. Social enterprises put their profits back into a community so the taxpayer’s pound goes further.

The bill will affect all public bodies in England – local authorities, housing associations, NHS and government departments, as they will now need to consider the “economic, social and environmental well-being” of our communities whenever they procure a service.

What impact if any will this have on mainstream businesses? Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK thinks that “This legislation will improve mainstream business behaviour as private firms strive to deliver greater social value in order to effectively compete for future public service contracts.”

This morning I read a blog post that encouraged us to look for the end of the rainbow when times are tough…

Well 2011 has certainly been a tough year for me, and having thought long and hard about sharing this ‘thing’ that has happened to me and my life, I now realise that it is essential to tell my story.

Why my hesitation in the first place? Well in truth I haven’t had the energy or the desire for long periods of this year, every day has involved accepting and adapting to a ‘new normal’! But a major hesitation has been how would my clients view this, would it affect my business? The desire to always put a positive spin on things runs deep for many of us, particularly in these challenging times. So should I admit I had a problem, acknowledge to myself and others that a life changing event had happened?

My journey

Well after months of deliberating I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story, if only because I know from trying to educate myself about my illness that unforeseen things can strike for many people whatever their personal or professional circumstances.

But the major reason is that the events that have unfolded for me throughout 2011 have been life changing in so many ways; difficult ..hell yes, frightening ..often, frustrating …on many occasions, but from them has come many good things. I’ve found many wonderfully supportive people and this has led to new opportunities that are potentially changing my outlook and the way I do business and I sincerely hope for the better. So if I haven’t yet found the end of the rainbow I’ve started looking for it.

So here goes….Chapter 1.

My name is Kary Backhouse.

My story begins in 2010. With the benefit of hindsight I realise I’d been trying to adjust small aspects, particularly of my working life, since just before Christmas that year. I’d woken one morning with a feeling of pins and needles in my hands and forearms that gradually became a pain as though the tendons in my arms were pulling tight and two fingers on each hand were in spasm. These strange symptoms didn’t lessen as the day progressed, the pain and discomfort started to spread up my arms to my shoulders and after a trip to my Physio she recommended further investigation. Thus began the slow grind of medical appointments and referrals.

At this stage I was totally unprepared for the possibility that I couldn’t work and manage the business; I’m usually in very good health and very independent and in common with many people who work for themselves I work whatever hours it takes to get the job done. My main concern at that time was the seemingly endless process driven health care system necessitating too much time away from the business for various appointments.

So during this time I badgered first the GP, and then the spinal clinic where I was referred, pointing out that if the NHS didn’t get a move on (usually as anyone who has experienced the NHS recently will know, appointments occur at 6/8 week intervals) I’d also be another statistic on the unemployment register as I couldn’t run a business adequately whilst this was ongoing and claiming sick leave, let alone sick pay, was not an option.

However, having made the necessary adjustments to my working life; swopped cars with my partner for his automatic, stopped trying to carry my laptop, I resigned to waiting until tests and results were completed but I was determined that it was business as usual and once the ‘trapped nerve’ was discovered and treated I’d be back to normal.

Fast forward to April and May 2011 and looking back through my diary I appear to have spent much of those months just ’going through the motions’.

During the latter half of April I was beginning to find my mobility becoming severely limited, after sitting in a field on windswept Anglesey, watching the Royal Wedding ceremony on a big screen, the strange stiffening and pain spread to my feet and knees. I struggled to get up from the picnic rug.

The Tuesday after the Bank Holiday weekend I went to the clinic to receive the results of blood tests, every other test, MRI and x ray, having come back OK. The clinician didn’t tell me the figures from the blood test, just that I hadn’t to worry, the sudden onset of symptoms probably indicated an allergy and I’d find out very quickly what treatment could be offered as ‘ the Rheumatologist wasn’t as busy as the spinal clinic’!. They took more blood and I left.

By the end of that week I was swallowing pain killers at 4 hourly intervals and counting the minutes to the next dose unable to do anymore than be consumed by extreme pain, and the acute swelling to every joint in my body, fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, toes they were so swollen they were losing shape and definition. I couldn’t sit, let alone drive, walking was a problem and trying to sleep had become an ordeal; I couldn’t turn over, if I stayed on my back I couldn’t get out of bed. All of which meant an inability to physically function even at a basic level such as showering, dressing never mind walking, driving, working!

The cause of this disruption was the sudden and rapid onset of the debilitating condition Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The disabling effects of this disease have left me in extreme pain, often unable to function physically, let alone think clearly and plan for the future.

We were due to visit my son and his fiancée the following weekend, to have dinner and for Mum (Me) to see the venue for the first time, and go over any last minute arrangements.

I struggled through the day, visiting the florist, walking around the venue and gardens and then having dinner. I ignored the concerned faces, this wasn’t happening to me I was fine, I pulled at my food, cutting anything was out of the question, my hands had become useless and resembled bunches of bananas. At the end of the evening I literally pulled myself up from the table in the restaurant and hobbled out to the car. My whole body ached, my hands, arms and feet were swollen and I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed.

Clearly I couldn’t go on like this at a personal or at a business level! I was told about the Burghwood Clinic in Banstead who treat RA via an elimination diet. I took the first available appointment.
When I arrived at the clinic on 16 May I told the Doctor my symptoms and my concerns. I gave the caveat that I knew there were no guarantees with any treatment but I did have a business that required me to be hands on and without which I didn’t have an income, and my first major personal goal – I would like to attend my son’s wedding at the end of June!

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.

I suspect that in common with many people I find the term confusing and often wonder what the term social enterprise means, especially when some organisations that are established as Community Interest Company’s (CICs) are almost entirely dependent on external public funding.

The recent emergence of CICs from former Local Authority projects, where they still have office accommodation and infrastructure provided, and are also receiving funding from the County or District Authority, only adds to the confusion!

Are these organisations enterprises in the truest sense? Does the term need revising?

A recent poll by Social Enterprise Network via Guardian 22 February 2011 asked

“Does the term ‘social enterprise’ accurately capture the essence of businesses who seek to further social good through their work? What term best represents you? Many people like the term ‘enterprise’ because it implies taking a risk and fulfilling an unmet need. Others see enterprise as a word which is too “businessy”.

Almost  54% said ‘social enterprise is fine for me’

What do you think?

I am very fortunate to be involved with this growing and evolving sector and I feel I’m learning something every day about the imaginative and innovative solutions offered by an increasing number of social entrepreneurs.

A new campaign, the Surrey Reuse Network, which launches mid February, demonstrates the approaches being taken by the sector. The six social enterprises and charities from across the county, aim to find new homes for donated furniture as well as offering training and employment opportunities, and helping local families in need. Furnistore of Redhill, were in the original pilot action learning group that I faciliate in Dorking, so its great to see this new network established. 

Not only do these enterprises  highlight the value for money people can achieve through buying reusable furniture, but also the environmental benefits.

Around 3,000 tonnes of potentially reusable items get thrown away in Surrey every year, with a large proportion ending up in landfill. Source Surrey County Council

It has been a delight to be involved with this exhibition and to work, not only with the excellent creative team at The Lightbox, but also numerous fantastic illustrators and authors.

Working with our associate, Irene Scofield, has demonstrated the dedication and professionalism required by a Public Relations specialist in order to bring an holistic and proactive approach. This has paid dividends and ensured our client has some amazing media coverage.

Check out the December 2010 isssue of Surrey Life, where the exhibition is featured on the front cover and 5 pages inside. This issue reaches an audience of over 50,000 and 25% of the UK population via the websites. If this was paid advertising space it would cost over £7,500, so this demonstrates just how effective and what truly good PR can achieve.

“Thanks Irene – what a great article.”

Clare Simms, Publicity & Marketing Manager, Andersen Press

Anne Crean CEO and Board Members

Over 120 innovators and leaders of high growth companies gathered in the glorious setting of the Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway University of London for the annual Ambassador Academy dinner.

Guests seated in Picture Gallery

 The guests heard from keynote speakers and were invited to join a new dynamic business network. 

Richard Bruges - Head of Innovation Unipart Logistics

I’m always telling my clients that they should do all this and more, so I thought it was about time I started doing just that and listened to my own advice, difficult that one! So here is my first blog and the desire to write this has been prompted by the decision making that went into starting the whole process.  

It’s easy to get started. There are so many free sites that enable you to create a stand alone blog, hosted seperately. However, although this is a much cheaper option it will not be as effective as a blog that is hosted on your website. It will do nothing for your website on search engines.

It is also highly unlikely that you have the design capabilities, despite the numerous template styles, that will enable you to maintain your brand style. So if you want to effectively market and promote your business then your blog should reflect your company image and drive traffic to your website, otherwise why are you doing it?

So treat your blog as any other marketing collateral. You would normally work with a graphic designer for everything from your business cards  through to a brochure or website, so make sure that you now include the design of your blog.

Have your blog professionally designed, link it with your website, make the time that you intend to spend on social media worthwhile and get results and return on your investment and effort.