The Genesis of Social Enterprise Centre

In March 2006, Professor David Stevens, Director Strategy & Social Enterprise Services, Cumberland Industries, visited the United Kingdom looking at various aspects and models of social enterprises. One of the most impressive enterprises observed was the “Mezzanine 2” based at London Bridge on the Thames.

The Community Action Network (CAN), a not-for-profit organisation created Mezzanine 2.

CAN developed the concept of a critical-space that would bring together a wide variety of NFP organisations, designed to create a “market place” environment where new relationships could be developed, new partnerships formed and ideas turned into practical action. 

Mezzanine 2 provides high quality, cost effective, environmentally friendly office space, including conference space, meeting rooms and catering facilities. It also fosters shared services and facilitates networking. The space has been designed to maximise opportunities for interaction and collaboration and in particular enables smaller organisations to realise their potential, improve their performance and raise their profile.

Another enterprise, called Balyana in South Australia operated by Bedford Industries Ltd. also contributed to the Social Enterprise Centre concept. Balyana is a day conference centre that embraces a simple yet effective idea, where people with a disability are trained to service most of the centres operations, including reception, catering and house-keeping.

The Social Enterprise Centre Concept

Based primarily on the success of Mezzanine 2 and Balyana’s use of personnel with a disability, Cumberland Industries Limited instigated a pilot study supported financially by government, to test the viability of Mezzanine 2 in Australian conditions.

It built a two-storey structure on land owned by Cumberland Industries Limited near the city of Auburn in the heart of Sydney’s inner west.

The top floor of the structure houses 10 organisations that support people with a disability; offices, toilets and amenities are all accessible by wheelchair.

The ground floor configuration includes wheelchair access to toilets and showers. There is a commercial kitchen, a boardroom, a large function room, a large classroom, executive offices, and an open space area.

The administration section of the Centre provides secretarial services including typing, photocopying, fax, email and other related services to the offices on the first floor, when required. 

The advantages of the concept is in the link to the training rooms, board rooms and function rooms that can also be used by the not-for-profit organisations, as required, and on a user-pays principle.