Welcome to the Vitalising Purpose podcast, about the power of the social enterprise difference in public services.

We depend on public services for a functioning society. But there are record pressures on our health, social care and children’s services; and those covering homelessness, housing, domestic abuse, education, employment and training, criminal justice and support. Resources are stretched. Demand is escalating. 

Traditional approaches, whereby public authorities either do everything in-house, or outsource services with the same process as when they buy goods, are not delivering good outcomes. The market has failed many people-centred services.

We can’t just despair at these challenges. We must do better.

Vitalising Purpose investigates how partnerships between public authorities and social enterprises can make a difference to how public services are provided, and to people’s lives.

We've asked our guests whether, why and how social enterprises have made things better where they deliver public services. They have worked in local and central government, the NHS, and some of the UK's leading social enterprises which deliver public services, alongside academia and professional services.

They give  inspiring examples of the ‘social enterprise difference’, and practical ideas to maximise social value, public benefit and good outcomes when delivering public services.

•  This podcast accompanies the new book, Vitalising Purpose – The Power of the Social Enterprise Difference in Public Services.
•  A 'must-read for chief executives, heads of transformation, commissioners and procurement officers, and social entrepreneurs,' the book is available in paperback and ebook formats here: https://e3m.org.uk/vitalising-purpose-book/
•  And from Amazon here ( https://amzn.eu/d/6f25KJB )