Raised In is a social enterprise dedicated to providing first-rate early years education whilst supporting community hubs.
Our story
Raised In began life in 2017 as our founders wanted to find ways to help communities 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 and local authorities are under pressure to raise more income from their community assets.
Our founders had previous experience 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. The idea of Raised In was born, and we haven’t looked back!
We began our story in Bristol by creating our network of Raised in Bristol nurseries across the city, bringing both financial stability to community hubs and at the same time delivering an excellent and much-needed service. We’re looking forward to taking the Raised In model to towns and cities outside Bristol, supporting more communities and providing high-quality Early Years Education and care for working families in new areas.
Supporting community spaces has always been at the heart of what we do. Community spaces are even more essential following the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes to working life and community which have followed. While Raised In continues to grow, we remain dedicated to our aims of supporting vital community spaces for the benefit of all, while also delivering the very best in early years education.
Social Impact
As a Social Enterprise Raised In doesn't have any owners or shareholders. Any profit (or surplus) is reinvested into our communities for the benefit of all. Additionally, the Raised In social enterprise 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 community organisations to raise grants and investments on the back of a long-term commercial contract with Raised In. With approximately 100 families per nursery, we can guarantee an increase in footfall and also a client reach for other on-site providers. Where possible we also work with our community partners on wider projects to benefit the whole community.
Strengthening Communities
We’re dedicated to providing excellent Early Years Education for local families. Alongside our fantastic early years provision we also run a family club, providing additional 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, and we’re proud to pay at least the Real Living Wage and provide secure and ethical local employment. Many of our families are introduced to their local community space via our nurseries, increasing their involvement in their local area and broadening the reach of the community organisation.
Building a Circular Economy
At Raised In we prioritise the procurement of ethical, local and environmentally sustainable goods and services for our Raised in Bristol nurseries. By engaging with 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. A great example of this in practice is that local Bristol restaurant group Bianchis provide all of the food for our nurseries with their dedicated Early Years kitchen Cucina Bambini. We also hire and train local people, further supporting the economy by investing in our team for their long-term benefit, as well as the benefit of our nurseries.
“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 2023 – Updated yearly - last updated June 2024
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.
