Social Enterprise Examples UK: 30 Inspiring Businesses (2026)

Social enterprises prove that business can be a force for good. Here are 30 UK social enterprises that trade successfully while changing the world — organised by sector.

Food & Drink

1. Toast Ale — Brews craft beer using surplus bread that would otherwise go to waste. All profits go to food waste charity Feedback.
Revenue model: Beer sales (retail + pubs)

2. Rubies in the Rubble — Makes relishes and condiments from surplus fruit and vegetables rejected by supermarkets.
Revenue model: Product sales (Waitrose, Ocado, independents)

3. Change Please — Coffee company that trains homeless people as baristas. Operates coffee carts and supplies beans to offices.
Revenue model: Coffee sales + corporate subscriptions

4. Belu Water — Bottled water brand that donates 100% of net profits to WaterAid. Uses only recycled bottles.
Revenue model: Water sales (hospitality sector)

5. The Real Junk Food Project — Cafes serving pay-as-you-feel meals made entirely from food waste. Started in Leeds, now nationwide.
Revenue model: Donations + corporate partnerships

Fashion & Retail

6. Elvis & Kresse — Luxury goods made from decommissioned fire hoses and other industrial waste. 50% of profits to the Fire Fighters Charity.
Revenue model: Product sales

7. Baukjen / Where Does It Come From? — Ethical fashion brand with full supply chain transparency. B Corp certified.
Revenue model: Online fashion retail

8. Goodwill Solutions — Social enterprise logistics company that provides employment for disadvantaged people.
Revenue model: Delivery and logistics services

Technology

9. QuikCue — Builds autonomous technology systems for charities and nonprofits. Products include PledgeNow (pledge collection) and donor infrastructure.
Revenue model: SaaS + consulting

10. The Amazings — Online learning platform connecting retired experts with learners. Sharing lifetimes of knowledge.
Revenue model: Course fees

11. Open Utility — Peer-to-peer energy marketplace connecting renewable generators with consumers. Now part of Kraken Technologies.
Revenue model: Technology licensing

Finance

12. Big Issue Invest — Social investment arm of The Big Issue. Provides loans and investment to social enterprises.
Revenue model: Investment returns

13. Responsible Finance — Network of community development finance institutions providing loans to people and businesses rejected by mainstream banks.
Revenue model: Interest on loans

14. The Phone Co-op — UK's only co-operative telecoms provider. Profits reinvested or distributed to members.
Revenue model: Phone/broadband subscriptions

Education & Employment

15. School for Social Entrepreneurs — Helps people start and scale social enterprises through learning programmes.
Revenue model: Programme fees + grants

16. IntoUniversity — Academic support centres in disadvantaged areas helping young people access higher education.
Revenue model: Corporate partnerships + grants

17. Auticon — IT consulting company that exclusively employs autistic adults as technology consultants.
Revenue model: IT consulting fees

Health & Wellbeing

18. GoodGym — Runners combine exercise with community missions: visiting isolated older people, gardening, moving furniture.
Revenue model: Memberships + corporate partnerships

19. Breedr — Livestock management platform helping farmers improve animal health and reduce environmental impact.
Revenue model: SaaS platform fees

Environment

20. Bio-bean — Collects waste coffee grounds and converts them into biofuels and biochemicals.
Revenue model: Biofuel sales + collection fees

21. Bulky Bob's — Liverpool-based bulky waste collection. Repairs and resells furniture, diverts from landfill.
Revenue model: Collection contracts + furniture sales

22. Replenish — Refill shop eliminating single-use plastic packaging. Also sells refill business-in-a-box kits.
Revenue model: Retail sales + franchise kits

Housing & Community

23. HCT Group — Community transport operator running bus services in areas underserved by commercial operators.
Revenue model: Transport contracts + bus services

24. Coin Street Community Builders — Transformed London's South Bank from derelict land into housing, galleries, and public spaces. Self-sustaining through commercial operations.
Revenue model: Property rental + events

Arts & Culture

25. Impact Arts — Uses creativity and the arts for social change — housing, health, employability programmes.
Revenue model: Programme delivery contracts + commissions

26. The Trampery — Co-working spaces and incubators for creative and social entrepreneurs in London.
Revenue model: Space rental + programmes

International

27. Cafedirect — Fair trade coffee brand. Farmers receive above-market prices. Reinvests profits in producer communities.
Revenue model: Coffee sales (retail)

28. Divine Chocolate — Farmer-owned chocolate company. Cocoa farmers own 44% of the company and receive a share of profits.
Revenue model: Chocolate sales

29. Who Made Your Pants? — Underwear brand employing refugee women who are rebuilding their lives in the UK.
Revenue model: Underwear sales (online)

30. The Bike Project — Refurbishes donated bikes and gives them to refugees and asylum seekers. Also sells bikes to the public to fund the mission.
Revenue model: Bike sales + workshop fees

What Makes These Work?

• Clear mission — every business decision ties back to the social purpose
• Genuine revenue — they trade, not just fundraise
• Quality product/service — purpose doesn't excuse a bad product
• Impact measurement — they track and report their social impact