Social Enterprise three.

SHEKINAH TRADING LTD

Shekinah Trading Ltd offers a range of services in construction, maintanance and deep cleaning. Shekinah Mission based in Plymouth, is an agency seeking to support people who are homeless, have substance misuse issues, are ex-offenders or feel socially excluded.

HOW THEY SUPPORT HOMELESS PEOPLE

Shekinah Trading is the social enterprise arm of Shekinah Mission. Shekinah Trading has three principal objectives which are closely aligned to those of the Shekinah Mission:

  • To build on the trust, self-esteem and self-confidence encouraged through day centres, assessment centres, training centres etc., by providing the opportunity of an appropriate working environment for suitable clients
     
  • To contribute to the pathway for clients through to economic self-sufficiency by offering employment within an environment and structure that is captivating, flexible and safe with realistic, achievable and meaningful progression markers
     
  • To generate a reliable income stream in direct support of Shekinah Mission

Shekinah Trading does this by involving individuals in all aspects of the business

Shekinah Trading has a range of trading activities including:

  • Multi-disciplined skilled construction labour on a sub-contract basis for building projects in Plymouth and other parts of Devon and Cornwall
  • Minor maintenance work on void properties (re-decorating and re-plastering) for local authorities, housing associations and other owners of rented property in Devon and Cornwall
  • A broad range of cleaning services including intensive deep cleaning of void properties prior to re-occupation

WHY THEY ARE A GOOD BUSINESS MODEL

57% of the paid staff in Shekinah Trading are people who are homeless or have experienced homelessness. They offer continuous training and support pathways
  
Sine July 2009 the business has expanded to enable people who are originally volunteering to be paid employees with three being promoted, on merit, to team leaders. Shekinah trading plans to increase its turn over which is all currently fed back into Shekinah mission are a holder of the Social Enterprise Mark.

The long-term goal for the social enterprise is to:

  • Develop into areas of industry where the local economy is strong
  • Growth through re-investments of profits rather than through borrowing or funding streams
  • Continually provide realistic training and sustainable employment opportunities
  • To self-find our charitable activities from trading profits
  • Continually improve our environmental impact

FIND OUT MORE

Want more information? Visit their website.