Kindred, Liverpool

In 2020 the charitable trust Power to Change formed a partnership with social economy leaders and the City Region’s Combined Authority, to enable a unique grassroots response to this challenge by establishing Kindred – an independent social enterprise itself that would offer social investment and support. In total, the LCR Combined Authority provided £5.5m alongside £1m from Power to Change for the new organisation.

“Analysis of the community enterprise sector in Liverpool showed that many of the social businesses in the region were operating on tight margins, with a particular need for financial and business support for growth-oriented community businesses to enable stability and growth.”

The unique proposition of Kindred goes beyond its financial backing. Kindred was initially co-designed by the sector and is now led by the community businesses, social enterprises and pro-social businesses it supports. It is a result of this pioneering structure that it has recognised the value of growing the social enterprise sector through a patient and collaborative blend of investment and business support.

This ‘collaborating communities’ approach is also applied in terms of resource allocation. Unlike traditional business support, which often encourages competitiveness through application and assessment processes led by ‘expert’ funders, Kindred finds ways to encourage collaboration, co-operation and sharing of ideas as part of its business support offer.

“The business support itself is markedly peer-based, in which a dedicated Collaborating Communities network of LCR-based practitioners build momentum in the sector, in addition to peer-to-peer advice that ensures learning stays within the sector.”