Buying social at High Rise helps families locally and across the UK

Lisburn-based organisation Employers For Childcare, has, over the past year, helped parents to identify £1 million each month in additional financial support they are entitled to. This takes the total amount the charity has identified for parents, since 2008, to a staggering £105 million. These figures were revealed in Employers For Childcare’s latest Social Impact Report, published today (Thursday 16 November) on Social Enterprise Day.

100% of profits from the organisation’s Social Enterprise businesses – which include High Rise family adventure centre in Lisburn, are donated to fund the work of the charity, including a Freephone helpline and advice service for parents.

Commenting on the figures, Employers For Childcare Chief Executive Marie Marin said: “Every single month for the past year, our charity team has identified £1 million in support for families across the UK, that they didn’t know they were entitled to. This is helping many parents get back into work, and supporting others to stay in work or increase their hours and be better off.  This is all made possible by the thousands of individuals and organisations who have chosen to ‘buy social’ and use their purchasing power to work with us, as a Social Enterprise business.

“Today on Social Enterprise Day we are celebrating the difference that we, and other Social Enterprises, are making to the lives of people all across the UK. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us, particularly those who have visited High Rise, our newest Social Enterprise, this year. We have welcomed thousands of excited children for birthday parties, Clip ‘n Climb, soft play and sensory room fun, as well as lots of corporate groups to enjoy team-building experiences or events within the centre. With all the profits from High Rise invested in the work of our charity, every visit helps us to continue supporting families.

She continues: “With Christmas coming up, we’d encourage everyone to ‘buy social’ where they can – whether it’s a celebration lunch for the team at a local Social Enterprise café, buying a gift or gift vouchers – or organising a fun day out. With the cost of living crisis hitting hard, the services we provide have never been more needed and like all other businesses, it’s been a difficult and challenging few years, yet our sector continues to innovate, adapt and go from strength to strength. And to anyone who wants to see what social impact looks like in action – I’d encourage you to visit High Rise over Christmas or in the New Year!”