So how many jumpers and scarves does it take to make a scarecrow? Answer, flipping loads, because we also need them for the poor freezy

volunteers! Its getting autumnal but we are still here, mulching leaves, pulling up the old bean plants and making sketches of how we will reorganise the garden so that more people can have a little plot in it. Ahhh Guy Fawkes and pumpkins to come... theres fun to be had in the community garden in October.

Talking of scarves, we are collecting warm stuff for our 'at home' refugees who get advice at the You Trust in North End. Ive donated my old fur sheepskin, but its a bit lonely on its own, so can you lovely Pompey people bring some more woolies to go with it? Leave with the Greens Cafe if we are not open or bag up and throw em over the gate. Let us know if you'd dearly like to have a mini bed to grow some winter veg or just pop in and see us any Tuesday or Thursday mornings between 11 and 1pm or most Sundays, 1pm-3pm. Thanks to all our lovely volunteers who keep that gate open, when its not you know its because, its either raining or theres just not enough of us. Come and help keep us open... www.southseagreenhouse.co.uk  / 07530913211

 

We are also pleased to be supported by Social Enterprise UK and this Saturday they have a stand at the Guildhall in Portsmouth...more details below !

The aim of Social Saturday 2015 is to raise awareness of just how easy it is to support businesses that trade quality items and services and invest profits in projects supporting the local community, international development, the environment, charities and a wealth of other progressive schemes.

Social enterprises operate in and support a vast array of sectors. With over 70,000 businesses in the UK alone trading for people and the planet - from print shops to chocolate, energy companies to beer, healthcare providers to baby clothes and housing to pants – the reach of our growing movement is undeniable.

Following the immense success of last year's inaugural Social Saturday, this year, on 10th October we anticipate Social Saturday 2015 to be a true testament to the strength and influence of the social enterprise movement. We will achieve this by creating a more physical presence throughout the UK, so that the general public can identify social enterprises operating in their area and buy the products and services they provide.

So how can you get involved?

If you are a consumer, then consume! Please visit our buy social directory and choose what project to support with your purchase. Don’t stop there – the fun has only begun! Tweet about your purchase, post on Instagram and pin on Pinterest with #socialsaturday2015 to spread the message. Last year our twitterati supporters included Jamie Oliver, 10 Downing Street and Tesco. We’d love to see what you’ve bought and who it’s helped!

Take a look at our Social Saturday map and visit these fantastic organisations in person to hear first-hand about how your purchase will make a real difference.

If you are a social enterprise, or business you can still consume! Here at SEUK our printing, graphics, office cleaning, water, event management, catering, promotional items and venue hire are all provided by social enterprises. See our Buy Social Guide for more inspiration.

Who's behind it?

Social Saturday is led by the national campaigning body, Social Enterprise UK, and is supported by the Cabinet Office. The day has cross party political support and is part of the UK's successful Buy Social campaign.

The Buy Social campaign aims to get more people buying from social enterprises. Following successful two year campaign to get more businesses trading with social enterprises, Buy Social is now calling on consumers to get involved.

Buying socially is such an obvious thing to do, why do we need the Social Saturday campaign?

The 2013 State of Social Enterprise Survey showed that social enterprises primarily trade with the general public and whilst three quarters of the public support the idea of social enterprise, awareness remains low. Social Saturday was launched in 2014 to help the general public to celebrate and buy from social enterprises, businesses that trade for people and planet.

On the day, people across the country hit the high street or went online to use their spending power for good and buy from social enterprises.

11 million people reached on Twitter via hashtag socialsaturday.
30+ events around the country celebrating the day 
50+ media hits in the week before and on the day

The day was a huge success, with PM David Cameron writing to the Financial Times in support of social enterprises, Big Issue vendors taking our message to the streets in the run up, celebrities including Jamie Oliver and Freema Agyeman voicing their support on Twitter, and national media coverage in the Daily Telegraph, Guardian and Which.