Welsh social enterprises nominated for UK awards

Four of Wales’ top social businesses and social entrepreneurs are travelling to London today (Wednesday 27th November) to find out they are winners in the annual Social Enterprise UK Awards.

The four enterprises who will be attending the prestigious gala awards ceremony in central London include Caernarfon’s Galeri, south Wales social landlord United Welsh and Gofal Enterprises, the social enterprise arm of mental health charity Gofal. They will join Pembrokeshire social entrepreneur Cris Tomos at the awards at LSO ST Luke’s in London.

The nominees have all made it through to the next round of the national competition after winning their categories at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales 2013 organised by the Wales Co-operative Centre in Cardiff in October. Now in their 15th year, the Social Enterprise UK Awards recognises organisations for their business excellence and contribution to society, as well as the achievements of people working at the heart of the social enterprise sector. The evening is being hosted by comedienne and TV host Sue Perkins. Welsh nominations:

UK Category 1 – Overall Social Enterprise of the Year

Galeri Caernarfon Cyf is a development trust set up to improve Caernarfon Town by buying derelict buildings and refurbishing and developing them. It also runs a £7.5m community arts centre which offers initiatives and activities designed to attract young people. Galeri Caernarfon Cyf won ‘Wales Social Enterprise of the Year’ at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales

UK Category 2 – One to Watch

Gofal Enterprises runs a cleaning and grounds maintenance business, PS Services. The business was established to provide supportive employment to vulnerable individuals seeking to return to the labour market. Gofal Enterprises won the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales

UK Category 5 – Buy Social Market Builder

United Welsh has proactively chosen to work with social enterprises to ensure that local benefits can be accrued within the communities they operate in. United Welsh have appointed a social enterprise champion and actively addressed their processes and procedures to ensure that social enterprises have access to opportunities on both the supply and demand side. United Welsh won the ‘Social Enterprise Market Builder’ at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales

UK Category 11 - Social Enterprise Champion

Cris Tomos, Director of Cardigan Castle and a social entrepreneur who has been heavily involved in community enterprise for many years. He has held positions as Treasurer of Credcer Credit Union and Board Member of the 4CG Co-operative, a community owned retail and craft centre which in 2012 also bought the old police station and court house in Cardigan. Cris Tomos was recognised as 2013 ‘Social Enterprise Champion’ at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales

Wales Co-operative Centre Chief Executive Derek Walker commented:

“The quality of nominations we received for the Welsh awards this year demonstrated not only the breadth and versatility of the sector but the importance the sector has to the economy of Wales.

“Congratulations to Galeri Caernarfon, Gofal Enterprise / PS Services, United Welsh and Cris Tomos on their success to date and we wish them luck at the UK awards today.”