Social Enterprise Case Study: CollaborARTI
CollaborARTI is run by founder members Kath Wright and Henry Morris and the elected management committee members and is a social enterprise based on multicultural collaboration to foster understanding and trust between different cultures alongside peer-to-peer support. The organisation offers various pathways for development, from artistic crafting to community engagement projects, with a focus on creative wellness to aid personal well-being and reduce social isolation.
CollaborARTI is a social enterprise that was set up as an Unincorporated Constituted Group which is transitioning to become a Community Interest Company (CIC). The decision to establish CollaborARTI as a CIC instead of a charity or other governance structure was to enable the company to progress down business lines and to serve as a midway point between a charity and a normal company. This allows the company to engage in community engagement projects while building up a range of business start-ups within the same model.
CollaborARTI faced a number of challenges in their first year including; ensuring the structure of the organisation was set up correctly and legally, finding physical space for projects and ensuring not to take too much on at once.
The organisation engages international artists and offers online engagement sessions, which members can pay to access. Memberships are offered at different levels, including explorer, resident artist, and associate, with the artists themselves delivering workshops both online and in the field.
The trading side of the business will be bolstered by launching a shop online which will be launching soon and will then aim to spread awareness of CollaborARTI in different areas like Harrogate, Leeds, York, Manchester and London, initially.
CollaborARTI aims to help creators in their local area and internationally by developing both the business development side on the economy side and the creative wellness side. All members are passionate about sharing their skills to help others with their creative wellness, and the enterprise has a positive impact on the economy, environment, and social well-being of people. CollaborARTI’s practitioners are also environmentally conscious, offering sessions that promote sustainability and sharing of resources, thus having a positive environmental impact.
The social side of the organisation focuses on using creative experiences to aid individuals’ health and well-being. They offer a range of creative activities that can help with various issues such as growing confidence and enabling workshops for others, art therapy for bereavement, and physical activities for members who are looking to be more active.
The enterprise is all volunteer-led, with the founders only earning money if they deliver on a project. The core team consists of 12 to 15 volunteers, and there is a wider membership base of 50.
Founder Kath Wright gives some advice for those wanting to set up their own social enterprise “The keys to success for CollaborARTI are teamwork, understanding, and patience. The volunteers aim for a win-win solution in every aspect and follow their intuition. Encouraging teamwork and understanding across the board is also important.
For those wanting to set up a social enterprise, keeping a life balance and not getting overloaded is important, and having a great support network in place is also highly beneficial.
The best thing about being part of CollaborARTI is seeing everyone else passionate about it and getting something from it. It is a good feeling to know that the volunteers are helping others and personally progressing.”
Entering the Kirklees Social Enterprise Competition helped CollaborARTI refocus on the key elements of their enterprise and learn some new skills. It also gave pride to members who attended the final presentation day.
With the recently launched Kirklees Social Enterprise Competition we’re looking for new ideas and businesses like CollaborARTI to achieve our ambition to make Kirklees into a social enterprise place.
To find out more about how you could make your ideas for a hospitality social enterprise a reality visit the TSL Kirklees website or contact helen@tslkirklees.org.uk.