Social enterprises are tackling the triple threat of economic stagnation, social division and environmental meltdown.

I became a social entrepreneur in 1980, aged 22 and this is my story of social enterprises I have started-up and led - companies, charities and co-operatives. It's a tale of highs and lows from rapid growth to financial cliff edges. I share mistakes and accidents, successes and failures, risks taken and what I learned.