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About

Founded in 2007, The Real Ideas Organisation CIC uses social enterprise to create new opportunities for young people and adults, making real change happen.

Business Units

We run five individual business units which each offer specific products and services, from hand crafted skate ramps to schools consultancy:

RIO Schools Service
Social Enterprise Qualification
Devonport Guildhall
XtraVert
Devonport Plus

Based in the Southwest but operating nationally and internationally, our business units work with a wide range of customers; from headteachers, schools and youth groups to local authorities, private businesses and individuals.

Research & Development

As part of our commitment to driving social enterprise forward, we run a Research & Development lab which is focused on exploring and finding innovative ways for different sectors to benefit from and develop social enterprise thinking. Find out more.

Contract Delivery

We also deliver contracts for a set of partners and clients all of which involve making change happen through social enterprise. Find out more.

Wherever we are and whoever we are working with, everything we do has one common thread - working in real ways with young people, adults, families and communities to deliver genuine, lasting improvement, all with a social enterprise flavour.

Get in touch to find out more about our business units and what they could offer you.

Memberships Held Within RIO

  • Industry Member of National Skills Academy
    Board Member of RISE-SW (Regional Infrastructure for Social Enterprise)
    NESTA Cultural Fellowship 2006 (Lindsey Hall)
    Trustee of Fifteen Cornwall (Lindsey Hall)
    INSEAD graduates (both Lindsey Hall and Matt Little)
    RSA Fellows (both Lindsey Hall and Matt Little)

Quotes Previous / Next

  • "‘RIO is the most supportive, creative, collaborative organisation I have ever come across. They are really impressive." Client, Create Your Future Unemployment Programme

  • “RIO has been invaluable. They support a generation of real ideas and bring them to fruition, for the benefit of each specific school, group of children and/or community.” Andy Hodges, Deputy Head, Widewell Primary School

  • “I would like to thank RIO on behalf of Truro College for the continued support with the Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ). They have always been available to answer questions and provide resources. This is a fantastic course that should be offered in every school, college and youth organisation.” Polly Talmage, SEQ Mentor, Truro College

Awards RIO has Won Previous / Next

  • Building Schools For The Future National Awards

    Partnership for Schools’ Innovation in Student Engagement Award at Excellence in BSF National Awards, November 2009.

  • IWREL, Quality Standards Framework Award

    IWREL, Quality Standards Framework Award recognising commitment to supporting Work Related Learning and Enterprise in schools, June 2010.

  • European Social Fund (ESF) Awards

    Best South West Employment and Skills Programme at South West European Social Fund (ESF) Awards, March 2010.

  • Plymouth City Council and The Herald's Business and Abercrombie Award

    Best Social Enterprise at Business and Abercrombie Awards, April 2011

  • Inspiring Volunteer Awards

    Devonport Guildhall Crew won Social Enterprise Volunteer of the Year at Plymouth University's Inspiring Volunteer Awards, June 2011

  • Cornwall's Smiliest Company

    Cornwall's Smiliest Company awarded to RIO by Changing Faces Cornwall Denture Clinic, August 2011

  • Abercrombie Awards

    People of Plymouth Award given to Devonport Guildhall for the renovation of the Grade I listed building, September 2011

  • Herald Business Awards

    Best Social Enterprise Award at the Herald Business Awards for outstanding work with the SEQ, Schools and Devonport Guildhall

  • Western Morning News Awards

    Best Not for Profit Business at the Western Morning News Awards, November 2011

  • Vice Chancellor's Community Research Awards

    RIO was a winner at the Vice Chancellor's Community Research Awards with Plymouth University, with our work around volunteering, March 2012

  • The Drake Foundation's Spirit of Community Awards

    The Devonport Guildhall Crew picked up another award, this time at the Drake Foundation's Spirit of the Community event for outstanding achievement, April 2012

Awards RIO Has Been Shortlisted For Previous / Next

  • Cornwall Business Awards

    Best Social Enterprise at Cornwall Business Awards, April 2010.

  • Cornwall Business Awards

    Best Third Sector Business at Cornwall Business Awards, April 2011

  • Abercrombie Awards

    Best Conversion or Conservation Project for Devonport Guildhall at the Abercrombie Awards, April 2011