Driving positive, local change through social enterprises.
Supporting our social enterprises is one of the ways you can support our work.
Social enterprises
Putting people first.
Social enterprises are businesses with a social purpose. Uniting Vic.Tas’ social enterprises help to generate additional income for many of our community services, which benefit those who require a helping hand.
Our social enterprises include:
- Uniting Op Shops - sell second hand clothing and goods
- Fire & Clay - sell handmade pottery, offer group & school holiday programs and provide stable, ongoing employment in a supportive environment to people living with a disability
- Social Impact Consulting - partner with corporate and government organisations to drive social and commercial impact
- Tadpac Print - offer high-quality, professional printing and mailout services and provide stable, ongoing employment in a supportive environment to people living with disability.
Get involved with Uniting Vic.Tas' Social Enterprises
Supporting social enterprises can be a great way to give back to your local community.
You might shop or volunteer at a Uniting Op Shop, explore employment through an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), such as Fire & Clay, or look at ways your workplace or business could get involved. There may also be opportunities to share your skills, attend activities or learn more about the programs operating in your community.
There are many different ways you can be part of Uniting Vic.Tas’ social enterprise community. To help, you can engage with our services and assist with raising much-needed funds by:
Our consumers also gain valuable work experience through these enterprises. Learn more about Uniting Vic.Tas’ social enterprises by contacting the service directly and speaking with the team about what might suit you.
We can support you with
What are social enterprises?
Unlike non-profits that may depend heavily on donations and grants, social enterprises generate income by selling goods or services. One example is Uniting Vic.Tas’ Fire & Clay, where more than 30 people living with disability have meaningful, ongoing employment creating handcrafted pottery. Employees can earn an income, build independence and be part of a supportive workplace and the wider community.
FAQs
How is a social enterprise different from a charity?
A charity usually relies on donations, grants and fundraising to support its work. A social enterprise earns income by selling goods or services, then puts most of any surplus back into its social or environmental purpose.
Do social enterprises make a profit?
Yes. In fact, earning enough to keep the business running is an important part of the model. The difference is that most of the surplus is reinvested into the social or environmental purpose rather than going to owners or shareholders.
Can I work for a social enterprise even if I have no experience?
Yes, depending on the role. Some social enterprises are specifically designed to give people who face barriers to employment a chance to learn on the job, build skills and gain experience. This is the purpose of our disability social enterprises, Fire & Clay and Tadpac. People can also gain valuable retail experience by volunteering at our Op Shops.
How does Uniting Vic.Tas use social enterprise profits?
Uniting Vic.Tas uses its social enterprises to generate additional income for community services while creating employment and other opportunities for people.
What products or services do Uniting Vic.Tas social enterprises offer?
- Fire & Clay makes handcrafted pottery and offers creative programs
- Uniting Op Shops sells donated and pre-loved goods
- Tadpac Print offers high-quality, professional printing and mailout services
- Social Impact Consulting partners with corporate and government organisations to drive social and commercial impact.
How do I apply to work for a Uniting Vic.Tas social enterprise?
You can contact the service you’re interested in directly to learn more.
For volunteering at Uniting Op Shops visit our volunteer page and apply online via BetterImpact or contact your local store in person or over the phone.
Get in touch
Speak to us about social enterprises
Our social enterprises make a real difference in local communities. If you’d like to know more about Uniting Vic.Tas social enterprises, chat to our team to learn more.
