Raised In is a social enterprise dedicated to providing first-rate nursery care whilst supporting community hubs.
Our story
We set up Raised in Bristol back in 2017 because we wanted to find ways to help communities to thrive and prosper in challenging times.
In Bristol and elsewhere, many community organisations struggle to find enough income to keep going as their government grants dwindle. We knew from our own experience of working in, and with, community organisations that we could design an innovative solution to help work alongside them to increase resilience.
We had previous experience of running a community centre in Bristol whose revived nursery service not only prevented its closure, but also supported the centre to thrive and its community to flourish. Our subsequent consultancy work with community organisations also helped to shape the idea for a brand new and replicable social enterprise business model.
We began our story in Bristol by creating a network of nurseries across the city, bringing both financial stability to community hubs and at the same time delivering an excellent and much needed service.
Supporting community spaces has always been at the heart of what we do. We always hoped this social enterprise business model would prove to be successful and one that could be replicated elsewhere. To make room for potential new partners in the future, we introduced a new name for our organisation - one that is tailored to our growing community…Raised In.
Social Impact
The Raised In model enables and thrives in local circular economies, building strong, resilient and well-connected communities…
Working in Partnership
We’re able to provide a long-term and sustainable rent income to our community partners. This stability can often enable the community organisations to raise grants and investments on the back of a long term commercial contract with Raised in Bristol. With approximately 100 families per nursery we can guarantee an increase in footfall and also a client reach for other on-site providers.
Strengthening Communities
We’re dedicated to providing excellent Early Years Education for local families. Alongside our fantastic early years provision we also run the RiB family club, this provides support for our families through various events, programmes and content, many of which are available to the wider community. Right from the beginning we recognised the value of our team and the important work they do, we’re proud to pay at least the Real Living Wage and provide local employment.
Building a Circular Economy
At Raised in Bristol we prioritise the procurement of ethical, local and environmentally sustainable goods and services. By purchasing from local suppliers, we’re directly investing and feeding the local economy. This keeps the money we spend in our local area, creating local jobs, buying local products and sustaining local high street businesses. Many of these businesses are growing independents like us, we can help them grow.
“The Raised In model enables and thrives in local circular economies, building strong, resilient and well-connected communities.”
Key Impact Highlights
Community Partners
(across 4 sites)
Commercial rent paid to community partners to date
Number of families/children supported
Sept 2022 – Updated yearly - last updated May 2023
community partners
We’re proud to work in partnership with these local community anchor organisations, providing a range of valuable services and support for the local communities…
We are Eastside Community Trust. We provide people of all ages with places and ways to connect. We are passionate about our community and putting local people in control so together we can build healthy and happy neighbourhoods. We inform and inspire action in Easton and Lawrence Hill making East Central Bristol a place of possibility for everyone.
We strive to provide high-quality space options at accessible prices, to support local organisations driving community-based initiatives. At Docklands, you’ll get a warm welcome delivered by our experienced team of local residents. We’re a space that serves the community, is accessible to all and showcases the spirit of our diverse home of St Pauls.
We are a charity made up of staff, volunteers and residents who work together to keep power in our community. We work with partners to improve health, wellbeing, local pride, and employment. We connect residents and groups to target social isolation. We bring business and investment to the area.
Thank You
Funding from Social Enterprise Support Fund, distributed by Resonance, is helping us to recover from the impact of Covid 19 on our business. Thanks to National Lottery players for making this possible.
