Pictured: (l-r) Nick Comley (Brew On), Charlotte Hollins
(Fordhall Community Land Initiative), Melanie Mills (Social
Enterprise West Midlands), Vicki Phipps (IQS Travel) and Jean
Wilson (New Hope Worcester)
A micro brewery, an organic farm, a specialist travel agency and
a centre for supporting families with disabled children have been
named as the region's shining lights in social enterprise.
Brew On, Fordhall Community Land Initiative, IQS Travel and New
Hope were named as the first winners of the SEWM 'Choose Social
Enterprise Awards' at a high profile event held by Social
Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM).
More than 70 people heard how the quartet had shown great
commercial acumen in delivering activities, goods and services that
are having a positive social impact on the West Midlands.
The judges were particularly impressed with the scale of
innovation on display and how many of the winners had overcome
significant challenges to get their enterprises off the ground.
Melanie Mills, Chief Executive of SEWM, explained:
"The awards are a great way to celebrate Social Enterprise and
highlight some of the outstanding work that is going on across the
West Midlands.
"Our four winners have very different business models, but all
share the same ethos for delivering first class services and
products whilst ensuring a positive social impact."
She continued: "This includes providing work placement
opportunities, supporting the most vulnerable people in our
communities and coming up with essential services that make such a
difference to individuals."
Brew On, which produces craft-brewed ales, ciders and fruit
juices supplied to the National Trust, impressed judges to pick up
the 'SE prima' Award for Innovation, whilst Shropshire-based
Fordhall Community Land Initiative secured the 'SE planet' title
for its environmental performance in running an organic farm.
New Hope of Worcester was victorious in the 'SE people' category
after providing respite support to 39 families who have children
with disabilities and Black Country IQS Travel beat off the
challenge of 20 other social enterprises to win the 'SE profit'
Award.
The latter has seen significant demand for its host of services
that are geared towards helping disabled people with their domestic
and international travel arrangements.
Nick Comley, Managing Director of Brew On, commented:
"It is very pleasing to be recognised for our work over the last
twelve months and we will use the SE Award to really push the
business on in the future.
"This includes the possibility of opening a new brewery in the
East End of London, as part of the Olympic legacy in 2012."
Supporters of the 'Choose Social Enterprise' Awards were
Bromsgrove and District Housing Trust, British Gas, Big Issue
Invest and PwC.
Social Enterprise West Midlands is a business network of over
400 members with a shared vision of growing the social enterprise
sector.
It provides information, resources and networking opportunities
for anyone interested in starting, developing or working with
social enterprises.