Better Society Capital

Our latest market sizing reveals the value of social investments in the UK has grown to £10 billion at the end of 2023 🚀 This twelvefold increase over the past 12 years marks a significant milestone for the sector, driven by an increasingly diverse group of investors. Despite economic challenges, the market has continued to demonstrate stability, with sustained investment focused on addressing pressing social issues such as child poverty, homelessness, and long-term health conditions. For the first time this year, we’ve also estimated the investor composition of the market to better understand the appetite for social impact. Our findings show that pension funds are the largest group of investors, making up 21% of the market. They are followed by endowments and charities, which contribute 14%, and asset and wealth managers, who make up 13% of the investor base. With public spending on social issues under significant strain and the new Labour government preparing its first budget, our report is especially timely. We hope to continue working with partners and the Government to shape policies that direct more capital into impactful projects, benefiting society, easing the burden on the Treasury, and supporting the economy. Learn more in our 2023 Market Sizing report: https://lnkd.in/eHfjyyUA

This time last year, we launched our report, 'Ten Lessons From Growing a Market'. Led by our CIO Jeremy Rogers and Head of Impact Philipp Essl, the report shares key insights from our journey of growing the UK social investment market. Through case studies and practical examples, we explore: 💡 How starting with social issues rather than financial products shapes better solutions. 🌐 The importance of taking a whole-systems approach to market development. 🚀 Ways to effectively blend grants with investment to support enterprises. 🤝 Strategies for mobilising government support and institutional investment. 🎯 Critical lessons in building impact-driven fund manager capabilities. Read the full report, which spans our work with partners across the social, public and private sectors we've worked with and learned from over the last 10+ years 👇 https://bit.ly/42Ro52W

🎯 New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) reveals that 21% of people in the UK are currently living in poverty. This challenge has remained unchanged for the past 20 years, highlighting the urgent need for innovative financial solutions. We know that over 20 million people are excluded from mainstream credit, with those on the lowest incomes facing the highest barriers. This creates a cycle of debt and financial exclusion, forcing many to turn to high-cost credit for basic needs. 🌱 Plend | B Corp is an ethical lender in our portfolio that aims to level the loan playing field by giving everyone a chance to access a loan they can afford. Its impact data shows significant progress – £1,320,000 saved in interest payments through fair debt consolidation loans, averaging savings of £2,009 per customer. More significantly, 80% of their customers would typically face financial exclusion due to traditional data limitations. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to affect millions, supporting innovative lenders like Plend is crucial for building an inclusive financial system that works for everyone. Learn how Plend's inclusive approach is tackling financial exclusion: https://lnkd.in/ew5R27JU

Our partners at Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) have published a new UK Poverty report, giving a clear picture of the current state of poverty across the country. The findings show that 14.3 million people in the UK are experiencing poverty, with several key drivers pulling people into poverty: 🛠️ Working households: Work alone is not enough to protect people from poverty, with 68% of working-age adults in poverty living in working households. 📊 Minority ethnic groups: Over half of people in Black/Black British and Asian/Asian British families live in poverty. 🏠Renters: Many social and private renters are only in poverty after housing costs. Read the full report for more insights: https://bit.ly/4jNnQvS

📢 Nominations are open for the 2025 #WISE100 list! WISE100 celebrates the UK's most inspiring women in social enterprise and impact investing. Created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, this recognition includes both the top 100 list and four special award categories, including a new Changemaker Award this year. We're proud to see BSC team members consistently featured on this list, including Annie Constable and Olivia McLoughlin in 2024. Nominations must be submitted online and you may submit an entry for yourself or on behalf of somebody else. The application form will be open until midnight on Sunday 16 February 2025. Apply Now 👉 https://bit.ly/40WdD96

🌱 The latest report from Access - The Foundation for Social Investment reveals the unique potential charities and social enterprises have to deliver energy-saving solutions that are not only effective but also equitable. Last year, we partnered with Access to launch energy efficiency funds invested in the social sector, backed by the Dormant Asset Scheme. These funds aim to channel investment into underserved communities, create jobs and ensure that the benefits of retrofitting reach those who need it the most. ⚡The report highlights a small but growing sector where non-profits are innovating and delivering retrofitting services with significant social impact. Unlike commercial providers, non-profits are more trusted within their communities and provide holistic solutions, all while addressing the broader needs of diverse groups and areas. Read the full report for practical recommendations that can help non-profits unlock their potential through targeted support and systemic changes 👇 https://bit.ly/4hCUf6z

🏘️ We're pleased to join Legal & General's Affordable Housing Fund in its latest £510 million raise, supporting crucial efforts to help tackle the UK's housing crisis. Working alongside other institutional investors, including London LGPS CIV Limited (which manages London Local Government Pension Scheme assets), this investment highlights how public and private sector collaboration can drive meaningful social change in the housing sector. The Fund aims to deliver 3,500-4,000 new homes, a significant step towards increasing the supply of good-quality, affordable housing in the UK. Learn more about L&G's Affordable Housing Fund and its impact goals 👇 https://bit.ly/4ho1FLc

🌟 Great to see the support for The Responsive Emergency Assessment and Community Team (REACT) in Bradford, which enables vital healthcare support for people with life-limiting illnesses. Operating as a partnership between Marie Curie UK and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT), REACT delivers fast expert care by helping patients thought to be in their last year of life to remain at home. The service has received social investment funding through the Care and Wellbeing Fund, managed by Social Finance. We're pleased to see REACT's continued impact in reducing hospital stays for palliative care patients while improving access to appropriate care in the community.

📢 The HM Treasury and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have announced a new Social Impact Investment Advisory Group, setting the stage for a transformative chapter in the UK’s social impact investment sector. The formation of the Advisory Group follows Government's 2024 Budget commitment to create a Social Impact Investment Vehicle to mobilise private investment that delivers positive social impact. We're pleased to share that our CEO Stephen Muers will join the Group alongside other sector experts, socially motivated investors and representatives from Government and civil society.   🚀 Chaired by Dame Elizabeth Corley, the Group will work with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rt Hon Darren Jones MP and DCMS ministers to assess and shape government strategies for mobilising social impact capital, including reviewing existing initiatives and providing guidance on its future direction. This is an exciting time for the sector, showcasing new possibilities for Government and private capital to address society's most pressing challenges. We look forward to the journey ahead with great optimism and determination.   Learn more about the Social Impact Investment Advisory Group here: https://lnkd.in/e8GzRAdp

🌱 What geographical areas do our investments reach? We map our investments by local authority and use the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) to assess socioeconomic conditions in areas where our invested organisations operate. While we do not set specific targets according to geography, we utilise the IMD as one measure to help determine whether social investment is reaching communities with the greatest needs. This approach ensures our investment portfolio maintains broad coverage across all UK regions. Swipe below for key statistics highlighting the geographical distribution of our investments across the country🔎