Enterprise Development Action Research Fund

In November 2022 we published our research report and insights for best practise toolkit. This piece of work focussed on understanding the potential tensions that exist when using enterprise models as a tool for engagement, training or employment for beneficiaries.

These documents shed light on numerous areas of potential conflict and were even defined by some participants as inevitable. The standout areas for us were around defining roles and creating boundaries for individuals engaging with services and enterprise models in different ways and how to manage these transitions. We are now launching an action research fund to explore these issues further.

This might be around developing employment policies for employing service users or understanding the psychological environment of a service provision turning employer. We are also interested in developing thinking on communication around trading models with a focus on anti ‘pity purchase’ methods and clear policies on anonymity and empowering storytelling. The third common area of uncertainty was on how we can better train and support staff in complex roles and avoid risks of burn out.

There are three major themes that we would like to explore further;

1) Boundaries and Transitions

2) Communicating and Creating Change

3) Support for Participants and Staff

• A small unrestricted grant to cover core costs on staff involved
• Cohort meetings with key speakers and learning facilitators
• Monthly one-to-one coaching with the Homeless Link’s project team
• Three whole cohort sessions
• Co-produced measurement framework for Impact

You are a registered charity, CIC or a company limited by guarantee who invests any surplus for social purpose to help end homelessness.

You can demonstrate evidence of trading or are actively looking to diversify and grow income through trading.

You have the staff capacity and support of the board of trustees to engage fully with the programme.

You can commit to playing an active part in contributing to the shared learning within the sector and beyond.

You are based in England with the majority of your beneficiaries in England.

We will be inviting expressions of interest in mid-July, with applications opening mid-August. Watch this space for more details.