20 November 2009

Number 10 hosts winners of the Social Enterprise Awards for England

England winners of the Social Enterprise Awards were honoured at a special reception at Number 10 to mark Social Enterprise Day (19 November).  The public can now vote for who they think should be the best social enterprise in the UK - the final stage of the competition which has already seen national heats taking place in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

Speaking at the reception, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:

"I want to congratulate today's winners on their achievements, along with all the pioneering new leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are the future of our third sector. Charities, community groups, social enterprises and NGOs are all playing a vital role in getting the country through the downturn. I am confident that they will play an even more central role as we build Britain's future."

The three winners are:

• Best Large Social Enterprise: Global Ethics works internationally to generate funds for projects in developing countries, and is the organisation behind the One branded products, including One Water.  
• Best  Small Social Enterprise: Brighter Future Workshop Ltd runs a recycling operation  in Lancashire that returns mobility equipment to the disabled community and provides training opportunities
• Best New Social Enterprise: Bikeworks deliver a number of cycling based programmes in East London, including employment and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed, cycling for health, all-ability cycling for disabled people, bike recycling and sales & repairs to the public.

Three schools that run social enterprises were also honoured at Number 10:  Holbrook Centre for Autism, Holbrook, Derbyshire; Bruntcliffe School, Leeds, Yorkshire and St Cuthberts Community College, St Helens, Merseyside.

Presenting the awards at Number 10, Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector said "Huge congratulations to all the winners. It's important that we celebrate and recognise the very best of the best and continue to inspire and encourage all social entrepreneurs. From what I've seen you are all doing fantastic work and making a real difference. Good luck to all the national winners going through to the UK final in December.

Jonathan Bland, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition said "We're really pleased to be able to honour such a stand out group of businesses. The winners exemplify not only the breadth and diversity of social enterprise, but the powerful and positive impact they have. I wish them luck in the next stage of the competition."

The awards are sponsored by The Office of the Third Sector; the Department for Children, Schools and Families; the Department of Communities and Local Government; Partnerships UK; Unity Trust Bank and the Wates Family Enterprise Trust. The media partner is The Daily Telegraph. Prizes are by Hempsons and Society Media.

To view a video about the awards, please go to http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21403

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