The Year Hope Opened Doors
At Purple Shoots, we’ve always believed that hope is the most powerful form of capital. This year, we’ve seen that belief come alive in remarkable ways.
Despite the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, rising bills, and ongoing uncertainty, people across Wales and the South West have taken brave steps to change their lives. With a small loan, a Self-Reliant Group, or a place on one of our “Why Not?” courses, they’ve opened doors that once seemed closed.
The Purple Shoots Impact Report 2024–25 captures these stories and the wider ripple effects of hope.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Behind every statistic is a life changed, but together the numbers show the scale of impact we’ve had this year:
- 52 loans made to people excluded from mainstream finance
- 38 active Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs) providing friendship, resilience, and enterprise
- 68 new jobs created through Purple Shoots support
- £228,324 loaned in total
- £960,000 net gain to His Majesty’s Treasury through reduced benefits and increased tax contributions
- £3.25 million in local economic impact, with every £1 invested generating £14.25 in community value
This is the ROI of belief — small loans and small groups generating big changes.
Stories of Hope
This year we’ve seen hope take many forms:
- Nadine, turning waffles into Roibelle’s Luxurious Treats with 5-star reviews and wedding bookings.
- Daniel, rebuilding his life after prison with a small loan for tools and a construction business.
- Bradlea-Ann, opening Nostalgic Nibbles, a sweet shop bringing joy back to her high street.
Alongside these stories, Self-Reliant Groups marked 10 years of friendship and enterprise, proof that grassroots change lasts. And together, these small sparks of hope are contributing to bigger global goals, from reducing poverty to building sustainable communities. Because whether it’s a single loan, a local group, or a global target — hope changes everything.
View the Full Impact Report
Want to dive deeper into the work we’ve done this year? Read the full report and explore the stories of individuals and communities who have been impacted by our programs. Click the button below to view the 2024-25 impact Report.
As we prepare to share our latest Impact Report 2024–25, you might be interested in seeing some more of the journey that brought us here.
Our 2023–24 Impact Report captures a year of challenges and breakthroughs, with stories of individuals who took their first steps into business, Self-Reliant Groups that grew in confidence and community, and the wider ripple effects of hope in action.
It’s a reminder that every loan, every group, and every bit of belief creates change that lasts.
