Grace’s amazing teams
SNACKS are set to be next for Grace Enterprises, a social purpose business whose cleaning and events ventures bring hope to the long-term unemployed.
Founded by former teacher Matt Parfitt in 2017 in Nottingham, Grace’s award-winning Radiant Cleaners has grown to a team of 30 plus, providing services to large corporates and organisations.
This year it was joined by Jubilee Events, a marquee hire and hospitality operation. The outlook is positive, with Radiant’s turnover expected to hit £350,000 in 2023 and Jubilee’s £75,000. All profits from the two certified social enterprises are reinvested or passed to parent Grace, a charity.
“Times are changing and charities can’t rely on the traditional model, so we aim to combine the heart and work of a charity with the entrepreneurial wealth creation of a business,” declares Parfitt.
“We aim to be a sustainable next step on from handouts, giving people on the margins the dignity that work brings.
“We have chosen to be disruptors in sectors blighted by poor working conditions and low pay.We employ those who have struggled to find work – exoffenders, ex-addicts, victims of abuse, refugees and the homeless.
“We pay them more through the real Living Wage, then we support them holistically – for instance: coaching, English lessons or debt advice.”
Chronic unreliability is a common problem at first. “But we keep with them, it’s hard but then we see people come through and the difference it makes,” says Parfitt.
As both a business and a charity, more doors are open, he finds. Both companies and customers are looking for more social purpose, he explains.
“Corporates like our demonstrable social impact and value, it also benefits their standing, which is why they choose Radiant.
“They are becoming customers of Jubilee too, along with universities and those wanting an ethical wedding.
“Jubilee doesn’t use single-use items, the marquee’s flooring is recycled plastic, catering comes from local suppliers. Having now proved our model this has made us think about franchising.”
Investment has come from social action church funding – Grace has strong Christian connections – along with a £60,000 grant and a £40,000 interest-free loan.
Seed funding to create something self-sustaining has the biggest appeal for philanthropists and some £50,000 will be needed for Grace’s ethical snacks venture, now in development and with plenty of scale-up potential.
A UK Social Enterprise Awards winner last year, Radiant has been shortlisted again. “We show we are all in,” says Parfitt, “and can make it happen.”