Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Chair of Social Enterprise UK and Patron of the Liverpool Social Investment Pathfinder, visited Liverpool last month to meet some of the socially-trading organisations (STOs) working across the region. To mark the occasion, we brought together a group of Kindred investees for a relaxed roundtable over a meal at Yamama café – itself part of the STO community and a Kindred investee.
The evening was shaped around three simple questions:
- What was your experience of accessing social investment before Kindred?
- How has social investment helped you grow your impact?
- What are your ambitions for the next five years – and how can Pathfinder support you?
What we heard was honest and revealing.
From wellbeing projects and urban farms to community-owned businesses and grassroots music venues, a common theme emerged: relationships matter. Access to finance only works when it’s rooted in trust and a real understanding of place.
Joanne Anderson is Kindred’s director of projects and BlaST. She says: “For many STOs, investment had felt out of reach – something ‘not for people like us’. Others simply didn’t know it was an option. That’s shifting. Being part of Kindred has not only unlocked funding but has created a shared sense of purpose. Together, STOs are building networks, taking on spaces, creating jobs, and strengthening communities from the inside out.”
We also learned that Kindred investees are seeing real growth. On average, they’ve expanded by 20% – proof of what’s possible when social purpose and investment come together.
Lord Victor shared his belief that Liverpool has something valuable to offer the rest of the country – a different way of doing economy, shaped by collaboration and local insight. He reminded us that we each have a part to play in sharing this story. “We’re all responsible for making sure people understand the message,” he said. “We need to get better at telling it.”
Alongside seven partners, Kindred is working on the UK’s first Social Investment Pathfinder, with Lord Victor as its Patron. Designed to support STOs in the Liverpool City Region with £50 million over the next seven years, it includes:
- £10m for early-stage blended finance
- £10m to help organisations scale up
- £30m dedicated to land and property
It’s a chance to grow what’s already working – and to make sure others know about it.
The evidence behind the Pathfinder is proof that when social businesses lead and collaboration drives investment, real change follows. The model puts people and place at the heart of economic growth, and shows that Liverpool City Region’s approach can prompt a national conversation about social investment.