As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Social Interest Group (SIG), I was recently asked why I founded the organisation. While Penrose and Equinox, two leading charities, could have continued their independent paths, bringing them together under one umbrella was crucial for many reasons.

Having worked in the sector for over 30 years, primarily with large national charities, before becoming CEO of Penrose in 2009, I saw the need for a more holistic approach to supporting vulnerable individuals. At the time, Penrose specialised in working with individuals in the criminal justice system and forensic mental health pathways. However, I recognised that many we support face multiple, interconnected challenges. It was clear to me then—and it remains true today—that to truly help those with complex needs, we must address all their social and healthcare challenges together in a way that integrates services seamlessly.

In addition to the need for a holistic service model, there was also an organisational imperative. The charity sector had grown significantly, but with that growth came inefficiencies—multiple CEOs, finance teams, and other back-office resources. Many small to medium-sized charities were finding it difficult to sustain these overheads while continuing to deliver frontline services. We founded SIG to provide a solution: a shared resource model that brings together different charitable skills, expertise, and back-office functions, allowing each charity to focus on what they do best—providing life-changing support.

Gill Arukpe, Group CEO

At Social Interest Group (SIG), we are eager to build partnerships that enhance our support to vulnerable individuals. Whether you’re a commissioner, corporate sponsor, or fundraiser, we’d love to hear from you.