More of the best new radicals

3SPACE: Finding space for charities free of charge

3Space takes empty properties and makes them available to charities, community groups and social enterprise for temporary projects, free of charge. Started in 2010 by Henry Mason and Andrew Cribb, 3Space has worked with the Big Issue, Mind and FoodCycle, as well as many small charities.

SIDEKICK STUDIOS: Creating startups that solve social problems

A venturing company set up in 2009 by Adil Abrar that brings together design, software and business to create startups that solve social problems. Recently Sidekick launched Sidekick School, to teach what they've learned to charities and social organisations.

FRAMEWORKS 4 CHANGE: Champion of compassionate care

Frameworks 4 Change was established to create and sustain caring environments for older people and those with mental health issues and learning disabilities. It works with care provider organisations from not-for-profit and private sectors as well as local authorities.

COMMUNITY LAND SCOTLAND: Encouraging locals to invest in their land

There's a long history of radicalism in the Highlands and islands and this continues with Community Land Scotland, which encourages locals to club together and buy the land they live on. The result is new income streams and more vibrant communities.

THE GREENHOUSE: A secondhand shop-cum-community HQ

The Greenhouse in Dingwall is more than just a secondhand shop; it is a centre of information and has a community space available for local meetings and events, a cafe and outdoor garden. It has been completely self-funded since its inception.

PATIENTSLIKEME: Helps patients to control their treatment

A health data-sharing platform founded by brothers Benjamin and James Heywood, that aims to transform the way patients manage their own conditions and change the way industry conducts research. Core values include putting patients first and fostering openness.

FAIRPENSIONS: Holding pension funds to account

A campaigning charity that promotes responsible investment by pension funds and fund managers. It works with charities, trade unions, faith groups and individual investors to bring transparency to finance and investment, working to increase shareholder activism.

I-PROBONO: Connects lawyers with those in need of help

i-Probono, founded by Shireen Irani, is a non-profit organisation that harnesses online technology for the voluntary sector, connecting organisations seeking legal assistance with lawyers and students wanting to contribute their skills. More than 30,000 lawyers and 1,000 civil society organisations now have access to i-Probono's database.

THE READER ORGANISATION: Sharing books in prisons, hospitals etc

A charity that aims to engage and enthuse people through the shared reading of great literature, bringing people together into weekly read aloud groups in a variety of locations including care homes, hospitals, prisons, homeless shelters, libraries, supermarkets, community centres and corporate boardrooms.

JUST ADD SPICE: Applying people's talents to their communities

Wales-based Spice develops time-credit systems for communities and public services, identifying people's talents and using them in the community. Contributions earn credits which can be used to access training and leisure services, or trade time with neighbours with practical skills.

CHILDREACH: Assisting children in the developing world

A grass roots charity that works in partnership with local communities in the developing world to help improve children's access to healthcare, education, child rights and protection. It also runs climate change projects and provides fundraising and volunteering opportunities, working with 70,000 children in the past year.

LEXXIC: Raising awareness of dyslexia and dyspraxia

Lexxic is a consultancy specialising in providing services for adults with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and other neurological differences, focusing on higher education and the workplace. Its goal is to unlock the potential of people with dyslexia and other neurological differences, and raise awareness within the workplace.

MASLAHA: Connecting Muslims with the wider world

Translated from the Arabic for the common good, Maslaha seeks to empower disadvantaged Muslim communities through education and inspiration. Since starting in east London in 2008, its projects have brought together a range of voices across generations, professions, faiths and nationalities. Its work has ranged from health information programmes addressing diabetes, heart disease and perinatal mortality to educational resources.

WE ARE WHAT WE DO: Changing our behaviour for the better

Creating products, tools and services that people want to buy or use, We Are What We Do was behind the I'm Not a Plastic Bag shopper in 2007 and, more recently, the global archive Historypin and Internet Buttons, which aims to make using the web much easier for people nervous about using it.

IDEAS TAP: Providing funding for young creatives

Launched in 2008 in response to the lack of support facilities and the impact the financial crisis was likely to have upon young creative people at the start of their careers, and the future of our creative industries, IdeasTap aims to provide direct cash funding to young creatives to help them get their ideas off the ground.

RESPECT4US: Tailored lessons for kids excluded from school

An alternative education provider, staffed by professionals, providing an alternative curriculum for secondary school children who have failed to make progress or have been excluded from mainstream schooling. Each young person is individually mentored and has a tailored learning programme ensuring their particular needs are met.

TRANSITION NETWORK: Teaching people to reduce carbon emissions

Transition Network supports community-led responses to climate change and shrinking supplies of cheap energy, providing training to interested communities and organising events. The network has grown to include towns and communities across the UK and beyond, from Australia to Africa.

SHIFT.MS: Supporting multiple sclerosis sufferers

Shift.ms is a community for young people affected by multiple sclerosis – users can interact with each other via the site. The social network was founded by George Pepper, a media planner and buyer and a multiple sclerosis sufferer, and has attracted 60,000 visitors since its launch in 2009 and secured around 2,000 registered members.

FINANCE INNOVATION LAB: Exploring alternative financial systems

The Finance Innovation Lab is an open environment in which people can come together to explore, innovate and evolve the financial system, so that it sustains people and the planet. Launched in 2008, it runs a number of projects that aim to influence the debate in different ways.

WOMEN LIKE US: A specialist part-time recruitment service

Women Like Us is a recruitment firm which helps women to find part-time work they can fit around their family, and gives them support on their return to work. It was founded by Emma Stewart and Karen Mattison, who discovered there was a "part-time"-shaped hole in the recruitment market for professionals. The pair were made MBEs in 2010.

RUBIES IN THE RUBBLE: Turning surplus fruit into chutney

A social venture started by Jenny Dawson and Sophie Gore-Browne which makes edible products from surplus fruit and veg while aiming to provide work to those who need help. It sells its small range of chutneys at Borough Market and selected London delis, but plans to expand.

WORKINGRITE: Matching school leavers with local tradesmen

Workingrite is a community interest company that delivers work-based mentoring and learning projects for 16-19-year-olds in Scotland, matching them with local tradesmen. It has proved to be a cost-effective method of introducing non-academic school leavers to work without their lack of qualifications being a barrier.

DEMENTIA ADVENTURE: Adventure breaks for people with dementia

Established in 2009, the company provides adventure travel and short breaks for people living with dementia – and their carers. Their trips are diverse and range from walks to sailing, as well as training, research and consultancy. Established by Neil Mapes and Lucy Harding, it has been contracted to work with organisations such as the Woodland Trust, various universities and care home providers.

START AGAIN: Helping young people to lead a fuller life

Launched by Mark Peters, a Birmingham-based sports instructor and community youth worker, Start Again provides a variety of services to young people aimed at supporting their personal development. Seventy-five per cent of programme participants are now engaged in further education.

ACCESS SPACE: Free digital drop-in centre

Access Space is a free internet learning centre based in Sheffield and run by a small team of employed staff and a vast number of local volunteers. It is used by thousands of learners each year to share information. The centre focuses on providing drop-in activities and support sessions along with one-off workshops and uses only recycled computers and free open source software.

SHARED LIVES PLUS: Network for carers of older people

A charity that represents the interests of family-based providers of care and support to older and disabled people. There are 10,000 Shared Lives carers in the UK. A major focus of its work is with local authorities and health trusts keen to create an environment within which micro-entrepreneurs can flourish.

GRAPHENE: The thinnest and toughest of materials

Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were awarded the Nobel prize in physics in 2010 for inventing graphene. Their breakthrough came with an experiment that involved a block of graphite and sticky tape, creating a material that is stretchy, as strong as steel and almost completely transparent. Research suggests that graphene is now 200 times stronger than structural steel.

SUGRU: Rubber glue that can repair almost anything

Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh has spent the past eight years developing a product called Sugru, an air-curing silicone rubber that resembles modelling clay. It is malleable when removed from its packaging and retains its plasticity for 30 minutes. The product is being marketed as a versatile substance capable of repairing anything from broken power cables and laptops to dishwashers and hiking boots. It employs 15 full- and part-time staff and works with around 300 to 400 young people at any one time.

HOMELESS WORLD CUP: Giving hope to homeless people via football

This enterprise , co-founded by Mel Young, uses football to energise homeless people to change their lives and develop solutions to homelessness and supports football programmes around the world. Every year it holds a world cup tournament. Research has shown that more than 70% of players have positively changed their lives.

CONRAD WOLFRAM: Using computers to modernise maths

Conrad Wolfram is a prominent proponent of the reform of maths education through greater use of IT. He is the founder of computerbasedmath.org, a project aiming to build a new curriculum with computers at its heart.

MICHAEL ACTON SMITH: The man behind Moshi Monsters

Acton Smith's Mind Candy is a leading developer of social multiplayer games. Its most successful project is Moshi Monsters, which now has 50 million registered users. Acton-Smith is also co-founder of online retailer Firebox, an online retailer specialising in games, gifts and gadgets employing over 40 people in East London.

THE BRILLIANT CLUB: Preparing poor pupils for top universities

It widens access to top universities for bright people from poor backgrounds by training PhD students to deliver university-style tutorials to small groups of high-performing pupils. Launched in 2011 by Jonathan Sobczyk and Simon Coyle, it now works with 25 London schools. and is looking to expand its reach into other regions.

KWICKSCREEN: Ensuring patients can enjoy some privacy

KwickScreens are portable, retractable, room dividers. They mean that healthcare professionals can make the best use of available space to give maximum privacy, protection and dignity to patients. Invented by Michael Korn, the British-made product was launched in 2010 and is already used in more than 30 NHS trusts as well as in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

DRMM: Award-winning architects and designers

The London-based international studio of architects and designers was founded by Alex de Rijke, Philip Marsh and Sadie Morgancorrect in 1995. The practice takes pride in carrying out work that is innovative and socially useful. Its first new building project, No one Centaur Street, won eight awards including RIBA London building of the year.

DOUGALD HINE: Advocate of alternative living

Co-founder of the School of Everything, the informal learning project in the 60s and 70s, Dougald Hine went on to create the Space Makers agency in 2009. It aims to breathe old shopping arcades and new community life into high streets and old shopping arcades and markets. Its success has spread across the capital and is now making its way around the country.

JUST FOR KIDS LAW: Legal help for disadvantaged young people

A charity, directed by Shauneen Lambe, that provides legal support, advice and representation to young people in difficulty, taking referrals when there is no adequate local authority provision. Helena Kennedy QC said: "JfK Law is a most remarkable new kid on the block, an inspirational social invention in the law where innovation is rare."

INCLUDEM: Assisting the most challenging youngsters

The Scottish organisation provides a one-to-one relationship service to young people referred by social work departments and for teenagers in gangs. Includem staff are available 24/7, in person.

LIVITY: Youth engagement agency

Livity shares its Brixton office with 12- to 21-year-olds from various backgrounds who work with the company on their campaigns , providing youthful insight and creativity. In return the young people benefit from access to professional mentors, accredited training and equipment to produce their own magazines.

IRIS LAPINSKI: The woman introducing apps to schools

Iris Lapinski is CEO of CDI Europe, the European hub of the Centre for Digital Inclusion, and Apps for Good, where young people learn to create mobile and Facebook apps. The partnership between Facebook and Apps for Good has been praised by Michael Gove.

SQUARE MILE INITIATIVE: Engaging students with the local community

Last April, Professor Dominic Shellard launched the Square Mile initiative, introducing the staff and students at Leicester's De Montfort University to residents from three local communities in a bid to meet their most pressing needs.

TOM CHIGBO: Power to the people

The first black president of Cambridge University's student union, Chigbo is now a community organiser in Lambeth for South London Citizen, which aims to empower communities working together for the common good.

SB.TV: Urban music online broadcaster

Jamal Edwards launched SB.TV when he was 15. It's a company with its roots in urban music, run by a team who work on web-based viral content at different music events. Its YouTube channel has thousands of subscribers.

GAVIN JONES: Reaching out to troubled families

As chief executive of Swindon council, Gavin Jones has led the council's Life programme, which brings together a multi-disciplinary team of 10 professionals who work intensively with vulnerable families over a two-year period

MIKE BRACKEN: The coalition's digital don

Mike Bracken is the government's new executive director of digital. The role was created following the Martha Lane Fox review of Directgov, which recommended the government save money, improve service delivery and put users first.