Celebrating Social Enterprise Day 2025
Today, Thursday 20th November 2025, is Social Enterprise Day 2025. It’s a global day created to raise the profile of the social enterprise movement and show the transformative impact it is having across the world.
A Social Enterprise is a business that prioritises social or environmental objectives, reinvesting most of their profits back into their business to further their social mission. They are often run by the communities they serve, working in ears of high deprivation, attracting money into local areas and keeping it there. They are predominantly female-led (58%) and the majority pay their staff the Real Living Wage (84%)*, highlighting their important role in building a more inclusive economy - an economy that delivers better outcomes for everyone.
In Greater Manchester, research from Social Enterprise UK published in 2024 states that there are around 6,812 social enterprises in Greater Manchester, creating around 127,600 jobs and generating £3.5bn in turnover - equivalent to 4% of city-wide GDP. They generate around £68 million in annual profit, and re-invest £57 million into achieving their social missions.
Social Enterprises play an important role in tackling inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of communities and citizens in Greater Manchester by balancing profit with purpose. Our role as the GM VCFSE Leadership Group is to promote the role and involvement of our sector, including social enterprises - the ‘SE’ in VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise). Last year, we published a portfolio for an inclusive economy on trading for social good that highlights the different ways the sector in Greater Manchester is creating a fairer and more equitable economy by featuring five case studies of social enterprises making an impact.
How you can support social enterprises
Social Enterprises and trading charities don’t just trade, they transform. Every purchase you make helps support local jobs, community wellbeing, and a stronger local economy, so support your local economy, especially the organisations that are trading for social good.
Bury VCFA have brought together a 'Shop Local and Social’ page that shares a mix of brilliant social enterprises and trading charities in Bury.
In Stockport, the Proper Good Pop-Up Shop has arrived at the Pop-Up Space in Merseyway Shopping Centre, running from 18th to 23rd November. The shop will showcase a vibrant mix of local social enterprises, offering unique products including arts and crafts, gifts, plants, and more, just in time for the festive season. Every purchase made at the Proper Good Pop-Up Shop goes towards supporting Stockport residents, with money reinvested into community wellbeing, local jobs and greener neighbourhoods.
Buy from social enterprises this festive season with Social Enterprise UK’s 2025 social enterprise festive gift guide. From tasty treats to sustainable fashion, you’ll find lifechanging gifts from a range of businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. #PresentsWithPurpose
*https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/social-enterprise-knowledge-centre/fact-sheets/
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