It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Julie Harris of Cosmic, not only has she been to Number 10 as a Social Enterprise Ambassador, but her company’s started a lively leadership programme and she’s won the Enterprising Woman award. We caught up with her with a few socially enterprsing questions.
What was your trip to Number 10 like, and what does it mean for social enterprises?
The visit and reception at Number 10 last Thursday was a part of the national celebration of Social Enterprise Day as part of a week-long set of activities designed to increase awareness about enterprise generally. I was invited as one of 30 Social Enterprise Ambassadors working around England and promoting it as an excellent business model for the 21st Century.
The Prime Minister spoke about his support and enthusiasm for social enterprises and also presented awards to the heat-winners of the Social Enterprise of the Year. I think that having the PM’s involvement in this way has really boosted the levels of publicity and awareness and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We are now working towards a national launch of the Social Enterprise Mark early 2010 – a initiative which was started here in SW by RISE. And apart from all that jazz, Gordon Brown was genuinely interested and keen to hear from people about their work and the difference we can make in our communities.
How does the future of social enterprises look, given that there’s a General Election on the horizon. Have you noticed a shift in attitude to social enterprise in Devon after the change in council leadership, for example
I think that despite the apparent change-of-heart in local government initially this year, things are going to continue to be very strong in support of social enterprise whichever flavour of government we have from next summer. The Prime Minister is clearly in support of further developments and his Ministers are actively seeking ways to encourage growth.
And on the other side, just two weeks ago, David Cameron was quoted as having said that in future all public sector services should be delivered by social enterprises. Having met Mr Cameron back in February of this year I can reassure everyone in social enterprise that he is very firmly onboard with the future growth in social enterprise. And don’t worry, I’ll be doing my best to ensure that key people in local government here in Devon know that too!
What’s the lively leadership programme about and how important is leadership in a social enterprise?
Our new programme here at COSMIC, Lively Leadership, is all about using our experience and skills developed over the years from running a successful social enterprise and helping others in positions of leadership in social enterprise. It’s a regional project so we’ve got people from all across the South West joining the project, and as you will imagine plenty of them from Devon. The programme offers a range of support from mentoring to workshops, and then residential courses, exchange opportunities and in 2010 we will be supporting a number of leadership expeditions from the group.
The idea is that people gain lots of insight and development from experiencing leadership in different contexts – we want social enterprise leaders to be provided with these opportunities, inspiration and support so that they can go on and change to world some more! Leadership is such a key issue within social enterprises generally. We all have businesses to run; and in addition we are seeking to provide social and environmental benefits within our communities – that takes strong, passionate and purposeful leadership. Lively Leadership!
Is being nominated as an enterprising woman a victory in itself as you’re a socially enterprising woman?
Getting the Award last week as part of Women’s Enterprise Day celebrations was a real honour. I’ve never won an award for me personally before so it felt very special. (We’ve won lots for COSMIC’s work over the years.) I think that the fact I got the award as a ‘socially enterprsing woman’ is cause for a much wider celebration – it shows how things are changing in local, regional and national perceptions of what we are about.
One of the women at the awards ceremony made a comment to be about ‘proper business’ indicating that COSMIC was not a proper one! I very quickly explained to her that social enterprise represents something which business does not and therefore could be considered business-with-added-benefits. How much more ‘proper’ can you get!
Julie Harris, many thanks
• We at the PRSD actively support social enterprises, so if you’ve got one, get in touch. Comments below, please.
(image: Julie Harris, on the right, outside Number 10 Downing Street)
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