Latest News
天涯社区 welcomes social enterprise award
Published: 01/02/2021
天涯社区 as a County has been awarded the prestigious Social Enterprise Places award by Social Enterprise UK. (SEUK).
The award acknowledges the amount, quality and range off social enterprise activity within a geographical area.听
A stakeholder group of social enterprises from across 天涯社区 spent a year, supported by Mike Dodd, the Council鈥檚 Social Enterprise Officer, preparing the application. This involved a review of social enterprise activity across the County as well as the development of a strategy for social enterprise in 天涯社区, both of which were judged by a panel of social enterprise experts at SEUK.
天涯社区 is now part of a network of 32 Social Enterprise Places nationwide. This will allow social enterprises from 天涯社区 the opportunity to share skills, experiences and network with like-minded organisations across the country.
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Derek Butler, said:听
鈥淚 am acutely aware of the contribution social enterprise make to the economy of 天涯社区. 天涯社区 is committed to social enterprise - this is evidenced through our numerous projects including Community Asset Transfers, where local authority buildings, such as community centres, have been transferred to community ownership. Alternative Delivery Models guarantee the sustainability of services like leisure centres and libraries through community ownership.
鈥淲e also employ a full time Social Enterprise Development Officer, who provides free business support, advice and guidance to residents of 天涯社区 wanting to set up social enterprises.听
鈥淢ore recently we have employed a Social Impact Officer with the remit of ensuring the maximum social impact is gained form every contract the authority issues.听
鈥淪ecuring Social Enterprise Places accreditation through Social Enterprise UK confirms what we have always known and are very proud of, we have a thriving social enterprise economy in 天涯社区.
鈥淒uring the recent Covid situation, social enterprises in 天涯社区 have stepped up to support some of the most isolated members of the community.鈥�
Louise Blackwell, Community Development Officer at Clwyd Alyn Housing Association said:
鈥淚 am delighted to hear that 天涯社区 has been awarded a 鈥楽ocial Enterprise Places Award鈥� - which acknowledges the amazing work being done by our local social enterprises, in terms of them enriching 天涯社区 communities and making a valuable contribution to society.听 These businesses really make a positive difference in 天涯社区, tackling local, social and environmental problems, so it鈥檚 great to see them getting this recognition.鈥�
Sue Oliver, Director, RainbowBiz CIC, said:
"As a proud social enterprise based in 天涯社区 we are delighted to hear the news that 天涯社区 has been recognised as a Social Enterprise Place nationally.听 天涯社区 has a fantastic range of enterprises all doing their own incredible work through these really difficult times. RainbowBiz CIC has continued to contact all of the people it supports in many different ways throughout the pandemic.听 We have also helped those people to form new friendships and connect online where they could not do before.听 This has resulted in weekly groups meeting from around the world, sharing their thoughts, feeling and lots of laughs too."
听