Fifteen Welsh Social Businesses to be recognised in national awards

Fifteen social businesses – including a Rhondda-based company helping the next generation of Welsh talent to break into the music industry – will be recognised at the Social Business Wales Awards this October. 

The annual Social Business Wales Awards celebrate social enterprises across Wales making a difference locally, nationally and globally in areas such as housing regeneration, mental health and wellbeing, the transition to a net-zero economy, and employability skills training.  

Other nominees include the only non-profit in the UK providing court of protection deputyship by qualified and regulated solicitors; an organisation providing employability skills training to young people in a disadvantaged community in Cardiff; a South Wales Valleys business delivering a low cost vegetable subscription service; a Flintshire business providing men’s mental health support through bushcraft; and the trading arm of a Llandudno charity providing subsidised food to people and families affected by addiction, mental health issues, unemployment and offending. 

Social businesses are focused on their impact on people and the environment, reinvesting their profits into the local community. They deliver jobs and services closer to home, where communities need them, and where there are often gaps in provision.  

Wales’s top social businesses will gather at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Tuesday 1 October, where winners will be announced in a number of categories including Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice; Innovation of the Year and the grand prize, Social Enterprise of the Year.  

The Social Business Wales Awards 2024 are sponsored by The Co-op, CAIS Social Enterprises and Co-operative and Community Finance.  

Funded by Welsh Government, the Social Business Wales service delivers advice and support to new and existing social enterprises all over Wales through a consortium of providers that includes Cwmpas, Development Trusts Association Wales, Social Firms Wales, UnLtd and the WCVA, helping businesses to thrive in a challenging economy.  

Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Social Business Wales, said:  

“Social enterprises have a deep understanding of the needs of their communities and are uniquely placed to be able to deliver real change for the better.   

“It was a real struggle to choose a shortlist of three organisation for each award category this year. We had lots of very strong entries, which is a real indicator of the impact social businesses are having across Wales.   

“The current economic system is failing to tackle the key challenges our communities face today. Climate change, economic inequality, marginalisation and poverty are all creating major issues, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our economy and society should – and can – work in the interests of people and the planet – and that’s what social businesses are all about.  

“Congratulations to our finalists, and to all the fantastic social businesses which entered. We’re looking forward to celebrating their work at the Social Business Wales awards in October.”