Updated 14.06.13
Places for People Helps Launch New Social Stock Exchange
Places for People (PfP) is one of the founder members of the Social Stock Exchange, a new platform recently launched by Prime Minister David Cameron.
The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is designed to open the public financial markets to social impact investment. It gives investors access to publicly-listed businesses with strong social and environmental purpose. The SSE guarantees full and transparent disclosure on the impact of those businesses.
David Cowans, PfP's Group Chief Executive said:
"Membership of the Social Stock Exchange raises our profile as a growth business, which makes a tangible difference in communities.
"We are pleased to be at the forefront of the social investment movement, which sees investors placing increasing importance on social outcomes as well as financial ones."
Members of the SSE of the SSE are companies involved are high-growth businesses in markets - including affordable housing, as well as clean-tech waste, water, recycling, education, renewable energy, sustainable transport, health and culture.
The SSE is supported by a number of high-profile organisations, including the London Stock Exchange, City of London Corporation, Big Society Capital and the Rockefeller Foundation.
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Dunedin Canmore Launches Initiative to Boost Digital Literacy and Help People Into Work
Dunedin Canmore Housing has teamed up with social enterprise, community organisations and other housing associations to set up supported digital learning hubs in community centres across Edinburgh.
Working in partnership with Cre8te Opportunities Ltd., Digital Skills Academy and Community Help and Advice Initiative (CHAI), Dunedin Canmore launched the Positive Pathways initiative after winning grant funding to deliver learning and employability support for communities in Edinburgh.
The Department of Work and Pensions is moving a large number of benefit claimants online and job seekers need to conduct online job searches to show they are actively looking for work, on the basis that most jobs will require basic digital literacy.
As part of Positive Pathways, Dunedin Canmore tenants will be supported to adapt to this change with computer based learning opportunities, from beginner level to fully accredited qualification in all Microsoft Office packages.
The Positive Pathways project will provide computer access, intensive one to one support to help people who risk losing benefits because they don't have digital skills or access and accredited training opportunities.
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Habinteg Take the Lead in European Technology Project
Habinteg Housing Association will lead on a major European research project aimed at providing technological solutions to everyday issues for disabled and older people in social housing.
It represent the UK on the I-stay@home project - with partner organisations from France, Germany, Holland and Belgium - and will take charge of the practical research phase of its work.
180 tenants from the participating countries, including 20 Habinteg tenants, will test out a selection of ICT products and measure their effectiveness in a household setting.
Potential products that could be tested include special sensor technology to prevent falls and a high tech blood pressure monitor.
This phase of research will go live from early 2014 and the results can be expected in the summer of 2014.
A recent I-stay@home survey of 200 European tenants showed that older people are keen to use new technology to help them lead more independent lives, provided that the products are affordable and user friendly.
