In this episode Simon and Murphy speak to Jordan Canter - Social Enterprise Manager for Crescent Cleaning based in Somerset.

About Crescent Cleaning

Crescent Cleaning Services founded by Arc, a charitable organisation who provide housing and support homeless people around Taunton in Somerset.

Arc are dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness with every step of their journey and had witnessed many of their clients struggle when ready to access employment. This is down to a number of difficulties such as lacking recent work experience or feeling anxious about returning to work with no support mechanisms.

Arc decided it was time for change and that those recovering from homelessness needed and deserved a positive pathway into employment. Crescent Cleaning Services was born.

Crescent Cleaning Services recruits individuals who have experienced homelessness and are ready to get back into work. With a staged employment approach, thorough training and sufficient support, Crescent Cleaning employees will not only be well equipped for their role but will have gained the skills and confidence to sustain long term employment. The enterprise provides professional cleaning services to a wide customer base.

Website: https://crescentcleaningservices.org.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crescent-cleaning-services/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescent.cleaning/

About This Much We Know

This Much We Know is a podcast from Homeless Link looking at the role of social enterprise in the homeless sector, with guest experienced social entrepreneurs and funders sharing their experiences, successes and their failures.

Funded by Access, hosted by Murphy Hopkins-Hubbard, Enterprise and Investment Manager at Homeless link and Simon Pickering, Associate at Homeless Link.

In this episode Simon and Murphy speak to Michael Angus - Director of HomeLess Made in London.

About Homeless Made

HomeLess Made is a social enterprise created by Barons Court Project - the only drop in centre in Hammersmith and Fulham to support people living with homelessness or with mental health conditions.

Barons Court’s guests create art together at the centre, as a way of tackling isolation. Some of these artists' work is so beautiful, they decided to try selling it on greetings cards, and were overwhelmed by the response! HomeLess Made was born.

Even selling one card can bring a huge boost of self-esteem, which empowers an artist to take the next step in pursuing a creative career. HomeLess Made works with artists to create commercial opportunities for their artwork and offer the support they need to create their art - including materials and a safe, quiet space to work.

All profits made by HomeLess Made are split 50/50 between the artists and Barons Court Project. This empowers each artist to earn income for themselves, and raise funds for the services they use, and helps to ensure the sustainability of the HomeLess Made programme.

Website: https://homelessmade.co.uk/

Twitter: @homelessmade

About This Much We Know

This Much We Know is a podcast from Homeless Link looking at the role of social enterprise in the homeless sector, with guest experienced social entrepreneurs and funders sharing their experiences, successes and their failures.

Funded by Access, hosted by Murphy Hopkins-Hubbard, Enterprise and Investment Manager at Homeless link and Simon Pickering, Associate at Homeless Link.

In this episode Simon and Murphy speak to Dan Northover - CEO of Handcrafted, a homelessness social enterprise based in the North East.

About Handcrafted

Handcrafted aims to empower those who have been disadvantaged or faced social exclusion due to crime, alcohol or substance abuse, poor mental or physical health, unemployment, or having experienced abuse or been in the care system. Working with individuals to help them make positive steps to turn their lives around, be part of a community and start to give back.

Handcrafted provide:

• Tailored training opportunities and creative activities for individuals to build confidence, gain skills and work towards their goals.
• Holistic support that engages with individuals’ whole lives, helping them to build healthy coping strategies.
• Supported housing across the region, renovating properties to make valuable homes that our residents can be proud to call their own.
• A welcoming community, regardless of background, and helping them see the value they bring.

Handcrafted are motivated by the Christian values of love, restoration, and community. They deliver a huge range of positive outcomes for the people they support. They tailor their support to each individual’s specific needs, working alongside them to help them identify and take steps which move them towards transforming their own lives.

Website: https://handcrafted.org.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/handcrafted-projects/

Twitter: @HandcraftedDHM

About This Much We Know

This Much We Know is a podcast from Homeless Link looking at the role of social enterprise in the homeless sector, with guest experienced social entrepreneurs and funders sharing their experiences, successes and their failures.

Funded by Access, hosted by Murphy Hopkins-Hubbard, Enterprise and Investment Manager at Homeless link and Simon Pickering, Associate at Homeless Link.