North Wales social enterprise wins UK award
Glyn Wylfa which includes Caffi Wylfa, a social enterprise based in Chirk, North Wales has won the Transformative Community Business Award at the UK Social Enterprise Awards.
The UK Social Enterprise Awards, hosted by comedian, writer, and actress Suzi Ruffel, were held at the Guildhall in central London on the evening of 8 December 2021.
The annual awards, organised by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) recognise excellence and outstanding achievements by social enterprises, businesses set up for a social or environmental purpose that reinvest or donate the majority of their profits to meet their mission.
From tackling the climate emergency to reducing homelessness, social enterprises are taking on some of the biggest challenges we face, using trade to change lives and protect the planet. They have also been at the heart of community responses to the pandemic, providing essential services from food deliveries to health care with many pivoting their models to keep on supporting the people they are set up to help.
According to SEUK there are 100,000 of these businesses in the UK contributing £60 billion to the economy and employing two million people.
FLYING THE FLAG FOR WALES
Wales was well represented at the awards night with four Welsh social enterprises in the shortlist:
GLYN WYLFA
Glyn Wylfa ltd took home the trophy in the Transformative Community Business Award.
Glyn Wylfa is a café, community and tourist hub and business centre established eight years ago as a social enterprise for the benefit to the local community. In the last year, Glyn Wylfa has increased sales income by 15% and net profit/surplus by 30% – which was used for energy saving and customer benefit investments – while also doubling their charitable and local donations.
The Café receives over 45,000 visitors per year, employs 13 people and is open seven days a week. The business centre houses a number of successful businesses, plus the local Police Station, that in total employ approximately 30 local people.
Brian Colley, Finance and Operations Director said: ‘On behalf of our directors, employees, tenants and customers, we are tremendously proud to win this award and it makes all the hard work so rewarding.’
‘…A REAL SENSE OF HOPE’
Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK said:
‘In what has been an incredibly challenging year social enterprises have given us a real sense of hope. They’ve shown us what it means to put people and communities first, showing real resilience and strength without compromising on their values, integrity and impact.
‘From taking on the injustices in the food system and using technology to support people experiencing homelessness to being on the frontline of supporting communities through the pandemic – this year’s winners represent not just the best of business but the future of business.’
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPLY CHAIN
Glyn Wylfa and the other winners were presented with bespoke trophies made by the social enterprise, Designs in Mind, which employs people with mental health issues.
Social enterprises also supplied all the goods and services on the night, including the catering, rigging, drinks, flower displays and goody bags.
The Awards were sponsored by Big Society Capital, British Council, Compass Group, Coop, Corps Security, eBay, GLL, ISG, Johnson & Johnson, Landmarc, Linklaters, Natwest, PwC, SAP and the Social Partnership Portal.
Find out more at www.socialenterprise.org.uk/social-enterprise-awards.
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