BUSINESS BIO

Where is the enterprise based? Based in London; services across England and Wales

Key business markets: Health and social care

Annual turnover: almost £67.8 million

% of annual income from trading (rather than grants): 99%

Number of employees: 2,055

www.turning-point.co.uk

 

ambassadors

Victor Adebowale

Victor Adebowale
  • Turning Point

  • 47

  • CEO

  • London

Turning Point aims to be the first major social enterprise provider of high quality, high value ‘connected health and social care’, delivering life-changing services to the people who need them most.

Forty years ago it was a small but pioneering alcohol project based in south east London. Now, Turning Point is one of the country’s leading social care organisations, running more than 200 services across England and Wales.

It provides services for people with a whole range of complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and those with a learning disability.

Its impact is remarkable: the enterprise worked with more than 100,000 people last year. It plans to reach 500,000 people by 2012. During 2007/08 alone, Turning Point’s alcohol liaison workers found treatment for 523 substance misusers in hospital A&E departments who may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Social Enterprise Ambassador Lord Victor Adebowale joined Turning Point in 2001 after an already impressive career working with vulnerable people. He served as chief executive of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, and before that was regional director of Britain’s largest black-led housing association.

“I was never really interested in making money,” says Victor. “I wanted to do something that made a valuable contribution to society.”

During his leadership, Victor has steered the organisation firmly in the direction of social business. In 2008, Turning Point managed to earn more than £60m from the services it delivered. Staff work with GPs, probation teams, mental health teams and other social enterprises to provide the best possible service for the ‘whole’ person.

As a taxpayer, I would rather my money be put back into providing more services for people, so I would argue there should be a slight gradient towards commissioning social enterprises

“Competition is tough out there,” he says. “But we’re good value and we offer credible outcomes. As a taxpayer, I would rather my money be put back into providing more services for people, so I would argue there should be a slight gradient towards commissioning social enterprises,” he adds.

The kind of people Turning Point helps often don’t have anyone else to help them. Therefore, argues Adebowale, it is essential that Turning Point keeps growing. The organisation has an ambitious five-year growth plan with annual business strategies that build toward the achievement of that plan.

The organisation’s size brings other benefits too. Mainly, it means that important people take notice – Turning Point can wield its resources to press for policy changes for people with complex needs.

One year ago, after intensive support from the organisation, Mick (name has been changed) was finally able to live a normal life after spending 40 years as a drug addict.

“I’d had a lifetime of drug abuse and crime,” says Mick. “Until I was finally caught and sentenced to nine years. When I came out I lost my wife, father and mother to cancer in quick succession. My addiction became worse and I was suicidal. I was also trying hard to look after my disabled son.

“After seven months in rehab, I was asked to go to one of Turning Point’s supported housing services in London. They were always there to listen and support me and worked relentlessly to find a programme to fit my needs. Gradually I enrolled in college and I now have a job, a place to live and family around me. My life has improved immeasurably. Turning Point really was the turning point in my life.” 

Quick Facts

  • Turning Point has more than 200 centres across England and Wales catering for people with complex needs.
  • Every year, the organisation comes in to contact with well in excess of 100,000 service users who are helped on the road to a happier, healthier life.
  • During 2007/08 alone, Turning Point’s alcohol liaison workers found treatment for 523 substance misusers in hospital A&E departments who may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
  • In 2000, Lord Adebowale was awarded the CBE for services to the New Deal, and unemployed and homeless young people. He became a peer in 2001 and sits on the crossbench.
  • Turning Point is the largest provider of progress2work services, helping people with a substance misuse problem into work. Last year, in Wales, the organisation helped support 229 people on the road back to work through the programme.

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