Social Enterprise proves its position as a key contributor to NI’s Good Jobs Agenda at the Social Enterprise Awards for NI.
Brought together by Social Enterprise NI (SENI), on the 23rd Oct in the Crowne Plaza, Belfast, winners and finalists from across NI are living proof of social enterprises’ unique grassroots power to tackle inequality and strengthen communities.
The night of the Social Enterprise Awards for NI is always a noisy one, because this is the only time throughout the year that many of these vital, life-changing organisations have the opportunity to shout about what they have achieved. This evening was no exception, with the room packed full of social entrepreneurs, dedicated staff and many of the beneficiaries of organisations like The Resurgam Community Development Trust, winner of the Social Enterprise of the Year (over £500k) for their nine profit-generating social enterprises that provide employment, training and fund their youth and community work across NI. Seasons of the Glens won Social Enterprise of the Year (below £500k) for their dedication to supporting SMEs and preserving traditional skills in the North Coast.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore won Environmental/Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year which helped 138,000 people access low-cost materials to improve their homes, provided a new home for 57 of kitchens and diverted 1600 tons of reusable materials from landfill across Ireland.
While normal award ceremonies celebrate excellence, these awards tell a much bigger story. In towns, cities and rural areas of Northern Ireland, people are being excluded from everyday life, communities are crumbling and hope for a more prosperous future is thin on the ground. The result is pressure on public services that are out of budget and out of the loop on finding the kind of flexible on-the-ground solutions that are second nature to social enterprises.
This year’s winners ranged from ARC Fitness a gym that helps people live with substance use disorders, to Artsekta Ltd, a creative intercultural organisation that transforms communities and is home to the Belfast Mela, the largest celebration of cultural diversity on the island of Ireland, an important service given the race riots NI saw this summer.
Winner of the public vote award, Harry’s Mates in Ballynahinch is a group that empowers adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. Through paid employment and/or voluntary opportunities, this team helps to develop the life skills and self-esteem that are crucial for independence.
Each of these organisations saw an issue in society and wanted to find a solution to it and crucially an income stream to pay for it. In a world facing unimaginable challenges ahead, you could argue it’s social entrepreneurs like these that we should trust with our future.
Winners of Social Enterprise Awards for NI 2016
Best New Start Up: Winner – Silent Cuts, Highly Commended – Little Weavers Day Care
Community Based Social Enterprise: Winner Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group & ARC Fitness
Rural Social Enterprise Award: Easilink Community Transport
Credit Union of the Year (up to £25m): Ormeau Credit Union
Credit Union of the Year – (over £25m): Winner – Lurgan Credit Union, Highly Commended – Waterside Credit Union
Environmental/Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year: Winner – Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Highly Commended – Repair & Share Foyle
Best Use of Social Media: Winner – Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, Highly Commended – Silent Cuts and Seasons of the Glens
Consumer Facing or Product Based Social Enterprise (PUBLIC VOTE): Harry’s Mates
Social Impact Award: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Young Person of the Year: Sophie Bagchus, Carrickfergus Enterprise
Emerging Leader of the Year: Winner – Christopher McCausland, Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, Highly Commended – Sean Hanna NOW Group
Leader of the Year: Theresa Canavan, Rural Action & Gary Rutherford, Arc Fitness
Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, & Equality Award: Winner – Artsekta Ltd, Highly Commended – Voicing the Void
Social Value Partnership: Heron Bros working with Cancer Focus, CAN and WomensTec & Deloitte working with NOW Group
Outstanding Team Award: Winner – NOW Group, Highly Commended – Seasons of the Glens
Social Enterprise of the Year – up to £500k: Seasons of the Glens
Social Enterprise of the Year – over £500k: The Resurgam Community Development Trust.