What is a Community Interest Company – CIC?

A CIC “is a type of company, designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good. with special features to ensure they are working for the benefit of the community.

A social enterprise is a business with mainly social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, the Government believes that social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.” (Community interest companies: leaflets – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The above is achieved by having a so called asset lock, which legally ensures that assets and profits are used for the stated beneficiaries of the company, as agreed with the CIC Regulator of Companies House:

Flourish in Nature is registered as “A Social Enterprise with the aim to help people with additional needs access the outdoors, get active and get involved in the local community and countryside. By building partnerships with local conservation groups and small community farms embedded in the New Forest we can support clients to be involved in meaningful activities that bring benefits both to themselves as well as to their community, and the environment.“