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Martin Kinsella

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Life is a big jigsaw, some people just can't put it together on their own - P3 works with people to find all the pieces and helps them to put it together.

Social Enterprise Ambassador Martin Kinsella is very matter of fact when he talks about P3, a social enterprise providing services that tackle some of society’s toughest issues.

“The reality of it is that we try and provide excellent services that fit the person rather than provide a service that fits with what we want to do,” says the organisation’s chief executive.

P3 itself stands for ‘People, Potential, Possiblities’. The enterprise’s holistic approach means everything is geared towards helping the individual, whether they are homeless, a drug user, have a criminal record or a mental health problems.

This approach also reflects on the people the enterprise employs. Dedication to staff is one of the reasons why P3 repeatedly makes it into The Sunday Times list of the best businesses to work for. “We support and train our staff and develop them so they can do a good job and make a difference to others,” Martin says.

The services P3 provides include supported housing, child support, hostels and health services. The focus is on quality and P3’s track record sees it win contract after contract.

“We’re competitive and we win contracts from local authorities on the basis that what we do is what’s needed, and we do it well,” says Martin.

“While doing that, we make a positive difference to people’s lives. We recognise that a homeless person is not just homeless but may have eight, nine, ten other issues that they need help with. If we don’t deal with all of them, they are more likely to fail on one.”

Twenty-seven year old Danny Mitchell, of Milton Keynes was in and out of prison for years when he came across P3.

Homeless and with mental health problems, he decided to make dramatic changes after his last release in February 2008.

“Before P3 I had just been left on my own or signposted in different directions,” he said. “But P3 wanted to help me. They were always there for me when I needed them, and backed off when I wanted them too. If I wasn’t introduced to P3, I would be back in prison now.”

Debbie Harris, review and development officer for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Supporting People team, echoes this praise: “P3 demonstrates a willingness to work with high level needs, which a lot of other companies can’t or just don’t do,” she says.

“It’s got an excellent track record of service user involvement. It knows its staff, which comes through in its staff training. It also has a ‘can do’ attitude – and I think a lot of that comes from Martin’s attitude and vision.”

Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that Martin has been chosen as the chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ Public Service Delivery Network Advisory Group, which aims to achieve positive change for service users on a big scale.

Martin believes that P3 is in a stronger position the bigger it gets. With a turnover topping £7m, the enterprise continues to grow during the economic downturn.

In July 2009 it announced a merger with the Rugby Portobello Trust, which has been working with the young people in north Kensington, west London, since the last century.

More mergers may be in the pipeline to strengthen the business further, and Martin also wants to develop P3’s youth work. “We want to work with kids, helping to prevent problems before they start,” he says. “Why wait until someone is desperate, to help them?”

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Quick Facts

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• 95% of P3 mental health support service users have not needed to access acute hospital care after accessing the P3 service
• Over 8,400 personal advice sessions are completed annually with young people in P3’s two London walk in advice centres
• P3 has been consistently at the top of The Sunday Times 'Best Small Companies To Work For' list for the past five years

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