Business
Royal British Legion Industries is a charity supporting the Armed Forces and its veterans, people with disabilities and people who are unemployed.Michelle Ferguson runs its two social enterprises, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.The firms make road and rail signs, the RBLI's much-loved Tommy figures, and even offer ecommerce fulfilment services.Michelle tells me more about what Britain’s and Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Companies make, who their customers are, and how the social enterprises support injured veterans, and people with disabilities and health conditions.We discuss why some veterans may struggle to find employment, or with other challenges; and what more we can all do to support disadvantaged groups through positive business choices.And Michelle has some essential advice for employers – if you want support to ex-service personnel, and you recruit via a process including interviews, you must be aware of this.Also in the show today: a funding opportunity and an event for social entrepreneurs.Timings:0 - 35:25 Michelle Ferguson, Royal British Legion Industries' interim director of social enterprises35:25 Social entrepreneurs in England, take a look at the new Social Enterprise Support Fund –£16.3m is available to help rebuild trading income36:20 Details of The Time is Now! - A Social Enterprise Exchange / Sheffield Social Enterprise Network Conference on 18 November37:35 Wrapping up