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We’ve got BIG news. For those that saw our three year strategic plan last Summer, we have big plans for our Unloc, expanding our reach, our offer, and our impact on the young people we work with around the country. Unloc is officially stepping into its next era of impact and innovation, and we’re doing it with a major boost: a powerful new social investment to supercharge our mission!
We’ve always said we’re here to shake things up in education, training and youth opportunities, and now, thanks to Big Issue Invest – we’ve got the fuel to take that ambition sky-high!
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What IS Social Investment anyway?
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Think of social investment as a financial jetpack for mission-driven organisations like us. Its funding is designed not for the ‘day-to-day’ but to scale our impact, test new ideas, and invest in the future. And the best part? It’s built around the idea that doing good should also be sustainable.
Unlike your traditional bank loan, social investment is tailored for social enterprises and comes with support, flexibility, and real-world understanding. After scoping out the scene, the incredible team at Big Issue Invest – a well-known champion in the sector – have provided Unloc with a £21,600 grant and a £158,400 loan.
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Who are Big Issue Invest?
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Big Issue Invest are an organisation who invest in social enterprises, creating core solutions with an aim to end poverty in the UK. Founded by impact entrepreneurs John Bird and Nigel Kershaw from the well known Big Issue Group, they are one of the UK’s leaders in social impact investing.
Since 2005 they have invested over £100 million in hundreds of social impact organisations, all who share the Big Issue Group’s mission to dismantle poverty and inequality through social business solutions. Through their grants and funding they help grow organisations with a social mission or purpose, providing access to funding, support, and a network committed to their growth and impact.
Recognising the alignment with our own values to level the playing field, help end inequality and provide young people from all backgrounds, cultures and situations with opportunities and training, we knew they were the right organisation to join forces with. The funding will help move us forward with our expansion plans and develop our offer to young people in the UK.
With the help of this inspiring organisation, we are sharpening our business and marketing strategies, moving forwards and growing our business.
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Where’s the investment going?
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We’re not just throwing money around. Every penny is being strategically invested in projects that push us forward.
1. Hello Leeds!
Following our success in London and Portsmouth, Unloc is heading up north! We’re so excited to be launching our Leeds Hub in Leeds City Centre, and this funding helps us get off the ground, connect with local partners, and make it self-sustaining in two years. We’re getting northern powerhouse vibes!
2. Taster workshops: Try Before You Buy
We believe in showing, not just telling. So we’re offering free taster workshops, because nothing beats ‘experiencing’ the Unloc magic first-hand. We believe in who we are and what we do, we believe in our product, and we know you will too. One session is all it takes to see changemaking in process.
3. Grant writing power-up
To grow our amazing community-based work, we’re bringing in a professional Grant Writer to help us win more funding. It’s like levelling up for us, we’re playing smarter and harder to ensure we have the right support, funding and guidance to help us expand for the future.
4. Next-level marketing
Our marketing team has been crushing it over the past five years, if you’ve been following Unloc’s growth you’ll have seen a total transformation in our image and brand. Now, with our recent expansion to have an in-house videography team we’re scaling up video content with a focus on engaging young people directly, using youth voice as a tool, launching new programme reels, refreshing our website and supercharging our brand presence. Gen Z? We’re talking directly to you now!
5. Tech + space upgrades
Our Changemaker Studios in Portsmouth and London are getting some serious tech upgrades with new CleverTouch screens, hybrid conferencing systems, iPads and more. Guided by our awesome Innovation Champions, these upgrades will make our spaces more creative, collaborative, and cutting-edge than ever.
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Why this matters
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This isn’t just about money. It’s about momentum. It’s about doubling down on our mission to empower the next generation. It’s about dreaming bigger, working smarter, and showing what’s possible when you back a bold vision with the right support.
We have an amazing team of vibrant, visionary and dynamic staff. We just needed a bit of support to build the infrastructure around them to deliver in new regions, the tools and tech around them to help support them, and the means to deliver the words and experiences of the young people they work with each and every day.
Most of all, it’s about the young people, they are, after all – the very reason we’re here in the first place. They are quite literally the future, the spark, the reason we do what we do.
We’re building a better, bolder Unloc. This investment is just the beginning.
Watch this space.
