Social Enterprise Awards Wales – Social Enterprise of the Year

The Wales Co-operative Centre and Welsh Social Enterprise Coalition are hosting the Social Enterprise Awards Wales at the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre, in Prestatyn, this Friday (19th October). In advance, of the event we are previewing some of the shortlisted nominees. Today we look at the shortlisted nominees for Social Enterprise of the Year.

Social Enterprise of the Year

• Galeri Caernarfon Cyf

Galeri Caernarfon Cyf was established in 1992 with the aim to improve Caernarfon town and to help transform and refurbish some of the streets and buildings. To date, the development trust has restored more than 20 derelict and neglected buildings which have now been filled with tenants. Galeri’s business model combines both commercial with community activities. Its projects include: the development and renovation of properties; the Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre – a £7.5m hub for the arts and creative industries in North Wales; SBARC! Arts project: and, a consultancy service. Galeri Caernarfon Cyf believes that individuals and communities have endless potential and the way of achieving that potential is through creative thinking and sustainable action. The organisation is a founding member of the Development Trusts Association (UK) and Development Trusts Association (Wales).

•  Crest Co-operative (Llandudno Junction)

Crest Co-operative operates a number of recycling enterprises, including a food poverty project that distributes in-date food from food manufacturers to homeless and vulnerable people across North Wales; a textile recycling operation throughout Conwy County Borough Council; and Crest Co-operative works with North Wales housing associations to clear empty properties and save kitchens/bathrooms from landfill. Crest Co-operative’s work primarily focuses on social and environmental purposes, working to promote social inclusion and at the same time work to save materials and food from landfill. Recycled materials from enterprises are sold in two Crest Co-operative community stores including a high street shop in Colwyn Bay and an out of town outlet in Llandudno Junction. Since 1998 Crest has placed more than 900 unemployed people into permanent work in the local community. In 2012, Crest Co-operative launched the Crest Community Fund, working to inject £10,000 into the Conwy community between 2012 and 2013. Grants of up to £500 are available for community groups, charities, sport clubs and educational establishments, cementing the vital role that Crest Co-operative plays in the local community.

• Digital Accessibility Centre (Neath)

The Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC) works with clients across different sectors to help increase the accessibility of digital products such as websites, intranets, mobile apps, online games, digital TV and even remote controls. DAC’s vision is to increase the level of digital accessibility and digital inclusion awareness across the country, to make sure that as many citizens as possible benefit from digital inclusion, regardless of age or ability. Its mission is to grow and thereby give meaningful employment to as many disabled and/or older people, in as many geographical locations as possible. The Digital Accessibility Centre has a client list that includes Lloyds TSB, Channel 4, The Law Society and many others. Surplus is re-invested in the company, and this year was used to employ more staff, most of whom have disabilities. The Digital Accessibility Centre has had such a positive impact at Channel 4 that it was awarded a 12 month contract to increase the accessibility of all the channel’s online products, including the Paralympics website.

DAC’s Cam Nicholl has also been nominated for Social Enterprise Leader of the Year.

Check the Wales Co-operative Centre’s Twitter feed and Facebook page on Friday, to find out who has won at this year’s Social Enterprise Awards Wales.