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 Turnbull, who suffers from cerebral palsy, remembers his day in the Westminster sun fondly, for another comic moment.

“I was drinking coffee and I was quite nervous going to see the Minister and I remember making these points. Then I saw the Minister lean over and whisper to one of his civil servants who then scurried away – I thought wow, I’m really shaping government policy.

“But three minutes later the civil servant came back with a little straw – because I had been shaking the Minister had obviously thought, get a straw for that spastic to drink his coffee.”

Today, with Labour on the ropes and Gordon Brown frantically beating off the expenses row fall-out, the political landscape has changed dramatically since those heady days when New Labour was born.

However, while the current government takes criticism from almost every quarter of the recession-hit country, Turnbull is keen to give praise where it is due.

Aside from the furore over expenses, bank bail-outs, lost data et al, social enterprise policy has been improved significantly by Labour, according to Turnbull.

“The policy for social enterprise has changed radically and the environment is much more supportive.

“I find it slightly unsettling because I used to be virtually thrown out of the regional development agency’s office for being a long-haired hippie.

“But this morning I listened to Radio Four and there’s an interview with a Labour minister and shadow minister talking about the merits of social enterprise.

“I don’t think we should underestimate the distance we’ve come in that time. Now all three parties clearly embrace the role social enterprise has.

As someone who has been driven by a need to help people, Turnbull’s work is never done - his latest venture is a bid to stem the current crisis gripping the social work sector.

Alongside community enterprise expert Carol Bell and Walter Young, he has launched the Social Work Co-operative (SWC) which aims to tackle a national shortage in the number of social workers. The SWC, which has been backed by the Social Enterprise Loan Fund and Business Link, aims to supply high quality temporary staff to local authorities while giving better terms and conditions and support.

“Unlike a typical locum agency, SWC will offer all temporary workers the opportunity to share in the profits of the business.”

Turnbull was also the architect behind the Rapid Enterprise Development (RED) – a new group that helps disabled people and those who support them explore self-employment and small business opportunities. As the country awakens to the benefits of social enterprise, it looks as though RED will be followed by many, many more Turnbull-inspired enterprises in the future.