On a pivotal day for social enterprise advocacy, Rachel Wang, co-founder and director of Chocolate Films, delivered an inspiring speech at Parliament. The event, hosted by Access, celebrated the transformative impact of social investment on community enterprises. It provided a fantastic opportunity for Chocolate Films to educate members of parliament about the importance of our work as a social enterprise.
Chocolate Films: A Unique Social Enterprise
Rachel highlighted the dual mission of Chocolate Films: producing high-quality video content for clients such as the V&A, BBC, and Sony World Photography while empowering disadvantaged young people through filmmaking workshops. Operating from London’s Nine Elms Studio and Glasgow, Chocolate Films demonstrates how creative innovation can drive meaningful social impact.
Each year, Chocolate Films works with over 3,000 young people through subsidized workshops, teaching them video production skills and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Recent initiatives include:
- A series of films with autistic children in Lambeth.
- Documentary workshops for teenagers in partnership with a mental health charity.
- A year-long project enabling individuals with learning and physical disabilities to create their own music videos.
By combining creative excellence with a commitment to social good, Chocolate Films has carved out a unique position in the creative industry, proving that business success and social responsibility can flourish together.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is a core principle at Chocolate Films. We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint while fostering community resilience.
- Net-Zero Goals: Our transition to electric vehicles helps reduce our impact.
- Energy Efficiency: The Nine Elms Studio features energy-saving systems designed to reduce environmental impact.
- Local Collaboration: By partnering with local crews, we limit air travel and prioritize sustainable resource use.
These initiatives reflect our mission to integrate environmental consciousness into every aspect of our work, supporting a greener future.
Highlights from the Event
The event underscored the crucial role of social enterprises in tackling societal challenges. Parliamentarians, community leaders, and social investors gathered to discuss how tailored financial solutions empower community-driven organizations. Notable contributions included:
- Josh Babarinde MP: Explored the role of financial support in driving community enterprise success.
- Kevin Hollinrake MP: Discussed community development finance as a driver of economic growth and job creation.
- Stephanie Peacock MP: Emphasized how initiatives like the Dormant Assets Scheme foster local resilience and growth.
Stephanie Peacock’s address resonated particularly strongly, highlighting the government’s commitment to expanding the social investment market. She remarked, “Social enterprises are central to fostering growth and resilience in underserved areas.”
The economic impact of social enterprises was also a key topic. Collectively, the UK’s 100,000 social enterprises contribute £60 billion annually and provide over two million jobs, disproportionately benefiting the most deprived communities.
Ambitions for the Future
Chocolate Films is poised for growth, with ambitions to replicate our Nine Elms Studio model in cities across the UK. This vision includes:
- Building new studios to accommodate professional productions and workshops.
- Expanding workshops to include training programs and internships that prepare young people for careers in digital media.
- Deepening outreach to engage more communities, fostering creativity and inclusion on a broader scale.
These aspirations reflect our unwavering belief in the power of creativity to transform lives and communities.
Social Investment: A Lifeline for Growth
Securing social investment has been instrumental in Chocolate Films’ success. Traditional financial institutions often overlook enterprises prioritizing social impact, but organizations like Big Issue Invest have provided critical funding. From building the Nine Elms Studio to expanding our workshop programs, social investment has enabled us to amplify our impact.
The event emphasized the transformative potential of social investment. By providing community enterprises with access to fair and flexible financial tools, the sector drives job creation, economic development, and social cohesion.
A Call to Action
As 2025 unfolds, Chocolate Films invites collaborators to join their mission. Whether through commissioning video projects or supporting workshops, stakeholders can play a vital role in advancing the organization’s goals. With continued support from social investors and community leaders, Chocolate Films aims to make an even greater impact in the years ahead.
