Social Innovation for Students in Nottingham

Dot Dot Dot’s Business Development Coordinator Abi Perriman attended Nottingham University’s Social Innovation for Students Conference last week. The organisers invited Abi as a guest speaker both based on her experience on Charityworks and working at an innovative social enterprise like Dot Dot Dot.

She was a member on the panel exploring “What is social innovation? And why choose a career in the social innovation sector?” and later in the afternoon presented on her experience in the sector, focusing on who Dot Dot Dot is and her professional development within the organisation.

Abi spoke alongside representative from Charityworks, Year Here, Worthwhile, Student Hub and more. The conference attracted students interested in learning more about a career in social innovation and aimed to share the breadth of opportunities the sector has to offer.

Pulp Friction catered the event; a brilliant and local social enterprise that provides catering for events and employs, trains and supports people with learning disabilities.

We would like to thank Nottingham’s students and careers centre for inviting us and were pleased to be represented at the event and to share Dot Dot Dot’s innovative social model with future social entrepreneurs.

Our Awards and Recognition in 2016 – Thank You

The last few months have been really exciting for Dot Dot Dot as the hardwork and determination of our team, our guardians and our property owners have been recognized at a number of prestigious annual awards ceremonies. And we’d like to extend a very big thank you to each and every one of you, as we know that without you, this wouldn’t be possible.

We are thrilled to have won the coveted Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards 2016. For the third year in a row!  A fantastic achievement and one that reflects and celebrates our commitment to put social value at the heart of all that we do.

In addition, we are proud to have been named London Social Enterprise of the year by the UK Private Business Awards 2016 and to reach the final shortlist for the national award.

Lastly we were delighted to be shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year 2016 at the 24housing annual awards event.  Whilst we were sad not to win, we were extremely happy that one of our lovely clients, Poplar HARCA, picked up the award for their great work in turning empty spaces into community assets.

All in all a great end to the year and some fabulous inspiration as we move into 2017!

Our 24Housing Award Nomination!

We’re delighted to have been nominated for a 24Housing Award this year. We’ll be heading to Coventry tomorrow evening to find out the results. We’re excited to hear about some of the great things that have been happening in housing this year. And we’re looking forward to both seeing some current partners and meeting some new ones.

Why have we been nominated for an award? Read on to find out for yourself!

An Innovative Approach to Estate Regeneration

Housing providers across the country are pursuing estate regeneration.  Managing empty properties is an essential part of this process and this increasingly involves property guardians. During regeneration there is change to both physical assets and, most importantly, communities.  That is why, unlike other property guardian companies, Dot Dot Dot places social value at the heart of what we do.

We believe that social sustainability – building communities that people want to live in – becomes even more important during change.  By preventing decline, we can improve regeneration outcomes, ensuring that new homes are provided in an area that has retained a sense of identity and community. This makes new homes more attractive for new and old residents alike.

Our Approach to Guardianship

Our innovative approach to guardianship is a winning combination.  We select our guardians carefully. From artists to zookeepers, all are reliable and flexible and are committed to giving back to the community through volunteering.  In return, guardians live for less in properties of a good standard knowing they will be treated with respect.

Housing providers save money through property guardianship. But by working with us they also address the social issues associated with regeneration, and enable others to invest time in initiatives that benefit their communities.

For local residents our guardians become valued neighbours. They prevent social isolation and encourage a sense of community and pride during the transition phase. This should not be underestimated.

Our approach doesn’t just work with one kind of property owner or guardian or neighbourhood. Rather, we’ve worked successfully from inner-city estates to home-counties villages. And managed everything from office blocks to stand-alone houses with all sorts of owners. We’ve flexed our methods to suit local needs, but our overall approach has stayed the same.

Where has it worked?

Providing a friendly face for elderly residents in sheltered accommodation

So far this year, we have placed over 40 guardians into properties in High Wycombe. This has been to oversee building security and to strengthen community amongst the remaining residents of a complex, late stage, sheltered accommodation transition.

Our guardians were chosen due to their commitment to and confidence in befriending the elderly as well as their ability to tackle anti-social behaviour.  Consequently they have integrated well with the remaining residents and during 2016 they will achieve the equivalent of 4+ years of fulltime work in volunteering.

One building, over 30 properties, 65 guardians and 6,277 hours of volunteering

In 2016 Dot Dot Dot guardians in an East London building volunteered with 263 organisations, for an amazing 6,277 hours. Additionally, they recorded 15 anti-social behaviour incidents as well as spending 41 hours litter picking!

Beyond the Award Nomination

We have a 100% track record of returning properties in good condition with vacant possession, on time and on budget. Moreover, we truly believe our innovative model works because of our values and not despite them.  Now a team of 18 dedicated individuals, we are not just a social enterprise. We are a business and we are ethical and fair, a good employer and a great organisation to partner with.

So it’s for all those reasons that we’ve been nominated for a 24Housing Award. We’re looking forward to discovering the outcome and celebrating either way. So thanks for the nomination 24Housing – we’re excited for tomorrow!

Hopefully reading this article has convinced you of the great work we do in different contexts. This could be regeneration, commercial buildings or otherwise. Consequently, if you have an empty building and you’d like us to look after it, please get in touch!