The social enterprises competing for the top spots at this year’s Social Business Wales Awards have been announced.
The awards night, held on 4 October at the Llangollen Pavilion in Denbighshire, recognises excellence within the social business sector in Wales.
This year there are three headline categories: Wales Social Enterprise of the Year, Wales One to Watch, and, new to 2017, the Wales Employee Owned Business of the Year.
Derek Walker, chief executive at the Wales Co-operative Centre, which is organising the awards, said: “Every year it seems to get more difficult to shortlist – the quality of the applications is a testament to all the good work that these businesses are doing.”
He added: “We know the social business sector is growing. Our recent mapping exercise showed that the sector now employs approximately 40,800 people and is worth an estimated £2.37bn to the Welsh economy. These businesses are delivering vital services and creating jobs and economic opportunities across Wales.
“Looking at the applications there are some really inspirational businesses out there with real growth potential. We wish all our finalists the best of luck and look forward to seeing them at the awards.”
The nominations are:
Wales Social Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by NatWest
- Galeri Caernarfon, Gwynedd
- Xcel Bowl, Carmarthenshire
- Spice, Cardiff
Wales One to Watch sponsored by BIC Innovation
- The Food Shed CIC, Bridgend
- Hope Rescue, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Denbighshire Music Co-operative, Denbighshire
Health and Social Care sponsored by Acuity Legal
- Spice, Cardiff
- Link Up Care, Maesteg
Education, Training and Employment sponsored by Legal & General
- Creating Enterprise CIC , Conwy
- Fern Partnership, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Full Circle CIC, Cardiff
Environmental
- Welsh Mountain Zoo, Conwy
- The Furniture Revival (G.C. Enterprises), Caerphilly
Consumer Facing sponsored by Cowshed PR
- Galeri Caernarfon, Gwynedd
- Xcel Bowl, Carmarthenshire
- Valley Gymnastics, Caerphilly
Tech for Good
- Promo Cymru, Cardiff
- Book of You CIC, Denbighshire
Wales Employee Owned sponsored by ARUP
- Aber Instruments, Ceredigion
- Gateway OHS, Monmouthshire
Winners of each sector category are also automatically entered (if they have not already done so) into either the Social Enterprise of the Year or One to Watch Categories, depending on their length of trading.
Part of the Social Business Wales project, which is delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre, the awards are funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh government.
Catering at the event will be provided by one of last year’s winners, CAIS Social Enterprises, while evening entertainment will be provided by a 32 piece brass band from Denbighshire Music Co-operative.
The awards are followed on 5 October at the same venue by the Social Business Wales Conference. Tickets for both events are free and can be booked here.
