Who we are, and what we do.

The Story Behind Our Work

Global Social Innovators began with a simple observation: the people experiencing society’s challenges often have the best ideas for solving them. We just needed to create the infrastructure to make those ideas reality.  

We believe that communities hold the key to lasting change. Equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and networks to innovate, we help drive impactful solutions that transform lives and build a fairer, more inclusive world.

Today, we’re a not-for-profit that operates at the intersection of direct service and systems change. We don’t just talk about empowering communities, we’ve built concrete tools and services that put power directly in their hands.  

Our Unique Model: Service Meets Innovation 

Advice For Life
Our flagship service provides year-round expert guidance on welfare benefits, housing, debt, and social welfare challenges. But it’s more than advice it’s a sustainable funding model that:  

• Delivers immediate help to thousands of individuals    
• Generates revenue that funds free services for families in crisis  
• Creates employment for community advisors  
• Tests new approaches to accessible support services  

“When my husband lost his job, Advice For Life helped us keep our home. Now I volunteer to help other families facing the same crisis.” – Sarah, Manchester  

The Hardship Fund 

No child’s family should face crisis alone. Funded by supporters of the Advice For Life service and donations, this fund ensures urgent help is always available proving that community support can be self-sustaining.  

Innovation in Action
 

We develop and implement community-driven solutions across five key areas. By working directly with communities, we design, test, and scale innovative approaches that address real needs from new service delivery models to technology platforms that expand access to support.  

Our Team

We’re advisers, technologists, community organisers, and social entrepreneurs. What unites us is the belief that sustainable change happens when communities have both immediate support and long-term agency. 

Case Study: Ex-Offender Excellence

Former prisoners in Manchester faced closed doors everywhere. They created their own construction crew hiring each other, proving themselves through quality work, changing perceptions project by project.  

“When everyone else saw risk, GSI saw possibility. They helped us structure as a social enterprise, connected us with our first clients, and taught us how to tell our story.” – Carl, Founder  

“The Innovation Toolkit was crucial especially the financial planning templates. Prison doesn’t teach you cash flow, but GSI’s peer advisors who’d run their own businesses did.” – Marcus, Crew Member  

“They gave us credibility introducing us as ‘innovative entrepreneurs,’ not ‘ex-offenders.’” – Jerome, Site Manager   

Second chances work:  

• 12 people employed full-time  
• Reputation for reliability growing  
• Others asking to join the model  
• Clients becoming advocates  

“What GSI does differently is they don’t ‘help’ us they equip us to help ourselves. Now we’re mentoring the next cohort. That’s real systems change.” – Carl   

GSI’s approach: 

We provided tools, connections, and transitional support. The community provided determination, skills, and proof that expertise comes from experience even experiences society wants to forget.  

Our Impact 

• 10,000+ families supported through Advice For Life
• £500,000 reinvested in community initiatives  
• 25 social innovations developed and implemented  
• 15 communities now running self-sustaining support programs  

How We’re Different 

Most organisations choose between direct service OR systems change. We’ve proven you need both:  

Immediate help builds trust and understanding  

Revenue from services funds innovation  

Community insights drive better solutions  

Sustainable models create lasting change

Community Voices 

“I came for help with my benefits. I stayed to help redesign the system.” – James, Cardiff  

“They didn’t just solve my problem they asked me to help solve it for everyone.” – Fatimo, London  

“My crisis became my calling. Now I lead workshops for other parents.” – David, Manchester  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q: How is Advice For Life different from other advice services?
 

A: We provide year-round support, not just crisis intervention. Plus, every donation helps fund free services for families who can’t afford to pay.

Q: Do you only work in certain areas?
 

A: While we started in Essex and London, our innovations are intentionally designed to be adapted by any community. We provide the blueprints; communities make them their own.  

Q: How do you measure success?
 

A: Beyond numbers helped, we track systemic changes: Are fewer people reaching crisis point? Are communities solving problems independently? Are our innovations spreading without us?  

 

Get Involved  

Need Support? Access Advice For Life  

Want to Collaborate? Join our innovation work  

Ready to Partner? Contact our team