Vitalising Purpose: The Social Enterprise Difference in Public Services

We depend on public services for a functioning society. But there are record pressures on our health, social care and children’s services; and those covering homelessness, housing, domestic abuse, education, employment and training, criminal justice and support. Resources are stretched. Demand is escalating. 

Traditional approaches, whereby public authorities either do everything in-house, or outsource services with the same process as when they buy goods, are not delivering good outcomes. The market has failed many people-centred services. We can’t just despair at these challenges. We must do better.

Vitalising Purpose investigates how partnerships between public authorities and social enterprises can make a difference to how public services are provided, and to people’s lives.

It gives inspiring examples of the ‘social enterprise difference’, and practical ideas, and accompanies the book, Vitalising Purpose: The Power of the Social Enterprise Difference in Public Services, available in paperback and ebook formats.