GLL’s Guide to Social Enterprise

At GLL, our mission is simple but powerful: to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the communities we serve. Everything we do is guided by our purpose and we measure our impact to ensure we’re making a real difference.

Ask yourself:

· What community needs are you addressing?

· Who benefits from your work? How will you measure success?

GLL Tip: Make your mission specific, actionable and measurable. It’s the compass that guides decisions and builds trust with stakeholders.

GLL reinvests the surplus we make into improving services - over £110 million to date. Our model is built on earned income from customers, memberships and services, supported by partnerships where public services need our expertise to become more sustainable. In many cases, we even pay councils to operate and enhance local services.

Consider:

· What services or products will generate income?

· Can you blend earned revenue with grants or donations?

· How will you stay financially healthy while staying true to your mission?

GLL Tip: A sustainable model balances purpose and profit, it’s what allows you to make a lasting impact.

We serve diverse communities, from children to older adults, with services designed to meet real needs. Understanding your audience is key to delivering meaningful impact.

GLL Tip: Engage early. Co-designing services with your community builds relevance, ownership and loyalty.

GLL is registered under the Co-operative & Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Your legal structure will shape your funding, governance and accountability.


Consider:

· Will you be a charity, CIC, or co-operative?

· What are your obligations around tax and reporting?

· Do you need to protect intellectual property?

GLL Tip: Seek legal advice early. The right structure sets a strong foundation for growth.

Funding is often a challenge, but a clear social purpose and strong value proposition can open doors. GLL generates most of its income through trading, while collaborating with local authorities, NHS England and national bodies to deliver funded initiatives.

Consider Funding Options:

· Revenue from services

· Public sector contracts or grants

· Crowdfunding and community fundraising

GLL Tip: Show funders both financial viability and social impact; a combination that builds confidence and long-term support.

We started in the Royal Borough of Greenwich with 7 centres and 100 colleagues. Today, we employ over 11,000 people across the UK. Growth is about expanding your impact, not losing your mission.

Scaling Strategies:

· Partner with councils and community organisations

· Use technology to improve efficiency and reach

· Train and empower your people. Our co-operative model ensures staff share in our success

GLL Tip: Scale with purpose. Let your mission lead, and your growth will follow.

In 2024, GLL generated £1.63 billion in social value. Measuring impact isn’t just about numbers, it’s about accountability and learning.

Tools:

· Social value measurement frameworks

· KPIs across health, education and community engagement

· Customer feedback and usage data

GLL Tip: Be transparent. Share your successes and your challenges - authenticity builds credibility.

Our customer brand, Better, is built on trust, community and evidence. We tell real stories, share data and communicate our purpose openly.

GLL Marketing Tips:

· Share genuine stories from your customers and partners

· Use data and case studies to show your impact

· Be open about your journey and values

GLL Tip: Your brand is your reputation. Let your impact speak through the stories you tell.

GLL thrives through collaboration with councils, health bodies, schools and local groups. No social enterprise succeeds alone.

GLL Tip: Join sector networks, attend social enterprise events and build local partnerships. Community is your greatest strength.

Social entrepreneurship isn’t just a business model, it’s a mindset. At GLL, we’ve shown that values-driven enterprise can transform lives and communities.

If you’re starting or growing your social enterprise, remember to:

· Stay mission-focused

· Keep customers at the heart of what you do

· Be clear on what you offer and the difference it makes

· Build a strong, committed team

· Be financially smart and transparent

GLL is always happy to share our experience and support other organisations on their journey. For more information and support, please get in touch.

What is a Social Business

Discover how social enterprises like GLL put people before profit and see if the business model works for you.

Social business support

From tailored programmes and events to masterclasses and additional support, see how we can support your social business.

Start Up to scale up
If you’re looking to develop your business in areas where we operate, find out how our Business Start Up service may be able to help you.

Running a social business with GLL

Practical advice for starting and developing your business with our support, and opportunities for future and existing partners.

GLL spaces

Our spaces, your mission. See how you can use our spaces for your social business.

Further support

Additional support that we can offer to social businesses that partner with us, to make an even greater difference in our communities.