Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin wins national social enterprise award

News from our partners Social Enterprise UK

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have won a national award to celebrate and recognise the area as a hotspot of social enterprise. 

PSE CIC, a local network of social entrepreneurs is delighted to announce that Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin has been awarded ‘Social Enterprise Place’ status by Social Enterprise UK, the national body for social enterprises – joining a leading group of pioneering hotspots around the UK and the world. The award aims to raise awareness of these local businesses and encourage the public to buy from them. 

Social Enterprises are businesses with a social or environmental mission. They are a fast growing and important part of the local and national economy. There has been a 10-year wave of social enterprises starting up and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are home to some of the UK’s brightest and best social enterprises such as FUSE CIC, Fordhall Farm and Designs in Mind.

To celebrate the award a social enterprise summit and networking event has been organised. This event will take place at University Centre Shrewsbury on 14 November at Guildhall, SY3 8HQ at 10am where keynote speakers will include Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK, the national body for social enterprises. 

Nick Kent, Director of Social Heart Community Interest Company, said: 

“This is a fantastic award for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. We have been recognised as a leader in the sector and hotspot for social enterprise by the national body SEUK. We have a great opportunity to unlock investment, showcase local businesses and share best practice from around the UK.”

Peter Holbrook, CEO at Social Enterprise UK said: 

“Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin fully deserve this award and I’ve been impressed by the variety of social enterprises in the area working hard to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges such as long-term unemployment and mental health issues.” 

SEUK’s recent report ‘The future of business – State of Social Enterprise 2017’ found that over 40% of social enterprise are led by women. Two thirds of social enterprises support people from disadvantaged backgrounds and many work in some of the most deprived communities. 

For more details about the event contact Nicky Kent at socialheartcic@gmail.com  or sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shropshire-telford-wrekin-social-enterprise-summit-the-future-

Further information

1/ Social Enterprise UK is the national body for social enterprises https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/

2/ About social enterprise places https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/about-places

3/ State of Social Enterprise survey 2017 https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/the-future-of-business-state-of-social-enterprise-survey-2017

4/ For more information about the event contact Stuart Emmerson, Regional Director, SEUK West Midlands at  stuart.emmerson@socailenterprise.org.uk  or 07568 078059.