Today is Social Enterprise Day – a moment to raise awareness of our pioneering business model and celebrate the more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK working to benefit people and the planet.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose. Like any other business, we look to make a profit, but it is what we do with that profit that sets us apart: re-investing all of it to further our vital mission.

Since we started in 2018, we have supported over 1,400 military spouses, partners and other halves to grow businesses that support their modern military lives. The Milspo® Network is unique in that, whilst its roots are in business support, it also connects an isolated and dispersed community and inspires them to achieve something greater for themselves.

Military SPOs recognise that ‘duty’ comes first whilst also recognising that their own lives will likely suffer continual disruption due to this ‘duty’. Whether in employment, self-employed or running businesses, this disruption can significantly affect our careers.

Today, the Milspo CIC continues to develop and expand for SPOs who are either self-employed or have their own businesses. This is a network of business leaders who are no longer limited by location and are building businesses that they deserve. The Milspo Business Network ensures our growing 1,400 members feel valued and supported as we all recognise the challenges faced and the sacrifices made as military SPOs.

The Milspo® Business Network exists for the well-being of non-serving partners to protect and enhance their careers, helping alleviate the difficulties faced by SPOs in finding employment and progressing professionally. This is facilitated through a deep understanding of what works best for an SPO, as well as fostering collaboration and joined-up initiatives to enable SPOs to have self-employment through successful business ownership across the world.

A huge part of our efforts going forward will be focused on giving our members the space and support to grow their businesses and enhance their armed forces lives, which is why we know that the creation of www.findamilspo.co.uk is important for our community. Not only will it provide SPOs with the place to find like-minded business owners, but it will also give them the means to attract a greater audience and customer base and, therefore, make firm business links and sales that can only enhance their growth.

To help our community grow and flourish further, we’d encourage you to #shopmilspo at every opportunity and directly support our armed forces families.

As part of the social enterprise community, we like to ‘buy social’ and support others in the sector – so we encourage you to do the same. With lots of us shopping for the festive season, why not look for presents with purpose? Head over to the Milspo business directory, www.findamilspo.co.uk and #shopmilspo

Whether it’s creating jobs and opportunities for people on the margins, delivering people-powered public services or taking on the climate emergency, social enterprises are showing us that another way of doing business is possible – one that puts people and the planet first. We are proud to be part of this movement.

#SocialEnterprise in the UK reinvested £1bn over the last year to help people and the planet. On #SocialEnterpriseDay, and every day, we’re proud to be part of this growing strength in British business. Join us today in celebrating the #SocEnt community!