Helping others help themselves in an ethical way

Jun 15 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

As we hurtle through uncertain economic times, a new world order is taking shape, where social enterprise is king and co-operation is key. Andrew Mernin meets a man who aims to change the world by helping others help themselves

But the geographical reach of Turnbull’s goodwill is not limited to British outpost of Shetland. In Cameroon, a young man’s vision to create an oasis amid tough poverty-stricken streets was realised with assistance from the social enterprise guru.

Turnbull and friends raised funds and came up with a business plan for young Koh to set up a centre which trains locals to grow their own produce.

“It’s the old story of people coming into the city from the bush, pulled by the attraction of jobs, but they get there and find there are no jobs, the city is dirty and they lose any attachment to the earth.

“Koh bought a piece of land which is an oasis in the middle of a virtual shanty town which trains people about how to garden, how to grow things and it’s just a very wonderful and peaceful place to be.”

While his many duties today see him take a hands-on role in the setting up and running of social enterprises, he has also spent a lot of time lobbying the Government.

And through this he has gained a deep insight into the complicated and often absurd workings of the political machine.

In the late ’90s, Tony Blair had just come to power after 18 years of Tory control and the winds of change were sweeping through Westminster. Turnbull led a delegation to the Department of Health to lobby about the vital role of co-operatives in the social care sector.

But the visit, which came after months of planning and carefully crafted questions in conferences and letters, was undone by a quirk of fate.

“We got to Westminster and had the meeting with the Minister for Health, but that night one of his colleagues got caught shagging on Hampstead Heath and he got re-shuffled. So all that work was undone because an MP couldn’t keep it in his trousers.”