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Northern Ireland’s most impactful ​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌social enterprises were celebrated at the 2023 NI Social Enterprise Awards, in partnership with AtkinsRéalis held on Friday 27th October. Winners were announced at the prestigious black tie event in Belfast’s Crowne Plaza, hosted by local radio presenter and Social Enterprise sector ambassador Cate Conway. It was an evening of celebration for the nearly 600 individuals who attended from the private, public, and social enterprise sector. The annual awards recognise talented individuals, teams and organisations for their unique contribution and significant impact to society in Northern Ireland. Over the last 11 years, the awards have promoted the incredible work and achievements of social enterprise businesses, highlighting the active role they play in changing communities, building more inclusive places to live, and making a positive impact on our environment, all while making a profit through their respective business. Radius Housing picked up the top accolade of the night, winning ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ for their exceptional social impact and ongoing work with local schools and communities. Reflecting on the awards ceremony, Colin Jess, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, said: “This year we received the highest level of entries, and our judges were impressed by the quality of the entries. Applications reflected the incredible resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, passion, and dedication of those working in the sector. It was clear to see the unwavering commitment to impact the lives of those hardest to reach, change communities and create social change. “These awards not only celebrate talent and innovation but also brings together everyone in one room who work at the heart of the social enterprise movement. It is truly inspirational to witness the impact that these Social Enterprise winners and finalists have made to society and the local Northern Ireland economy. “Well done to all our winners, keep up the great work. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their support in making the awards possible.” Winners of 2023 Social Enterprise NI Awards: Best New Start Up Winner: Active Youth NI Community Wealth Building Award Joint Winner: Derry Credit Union Joint Winner: The Workspace Group Rural Social Enterprise Award Winner: Clanrye Group Credit Union Award - 10-25m Turnover Winner: Ardboe Credit Union Credit Union Award - Over 25m Turnover Winner: Derry Credit Union Co-Operative Award Winner: Belfast Cleaning Cooperative Best Use of Social Media Winner: High Rise Highly Commended: Harp and Crown Credit Union Limited Consumer Facing Award (via public vote) · Winner: Naturally North Coast & Glens Social Impact Award Winner: Via Wings Highly Commended: Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland Young Person of the Year Winner: Claire Mooney, Moneydarragh Community Hub Ltd Highly Commended: Robert Campbell, Aspire Media CIC Emerging Leader of the Year Winner: Gareth Little, Harry's Place CIC Highly Commended: Rachel McIlgorm, Storybox NI CIC Leader of the Year Winner: Janet Schofield, Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) Council of the Year Winner: Belfast City Council Best Cross Sector Collaboration of the Year Winner: CTS Projects Ltd, Womenstec & Bolster Community Outstanding Voluntary Team Winner: Carrick Greengrocers Outstanding Staff Team Winner: Bolster Community Highly Commended: Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) & Oasis Caring in Action Outstanding Joint Volunteer & Staff Team Winner: Harry's Place CIC Highly Commended: Centred Soul CIC Social Enterprise of the Year Winner: Radius Housing Individual category sponsors included AtkinsRéalis, Ulster Bank, Rapid Agency, NI Housing Executive, Department for the Economy, H&J Martin, Evolv IT, Social Enterprise Academy, VIable Corporate Services, Lockton, AtkinsRéalis, Hays, NI Support Service, Department for Communities, Firmus Energy, Irish League of Credit Unions, Lockton, Edwards & Co, ProAptivity, Community Finance Ireland and the Construction Employers Federation. On winning their awards Radius Housing, Via Wings and Janet Schofield have also been automatically shortlisted for their respective categories at the UK Social Enterprise Awards taking place in London on the evening of 30 November.

The annual Social Enterprise Awards Scotland saw nine social enterprises and social entrepreneurs from across the country presented as the best of the best at an Awards Reception at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 26th October. The Awards recognise the unique economic and social contribution made by the sector across Scotland. The top prize, Social Enterprise of the Year 2023, was awarded to the Isle of Skye Ferry, a social enterprise from the Scottish islands. The Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company owns and operates the last manually operated turntable ferry in existence, from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye, across an ancient drover’s route from the Hebrides. All profits are reinvested into preserving the historic vessel, ensuring the sustainability of the ferry service, and supporting other local community groups and events. Chris Martin, CEO, Social Enterprise Scotland said: “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.” “The quality, variety, and mix of social enterprises who applied for this year’s Awards were of a high standard making it a very difficult judging process.  Thank you to all the previous winners and sponsors who methodically looked at every application.  We were delighted by the volume of applications which were almost back to pre-pandemic levels, showing that social enterprises are weathering the storms of Covid and a Cost-of-Living Crisis to deliver impact in their local communities.”  The winners were: Social Enterprise of the Year Award  Supported by Gold Sponsor Keegan and Pennykid This award is for a social enterprise that has demonstrated a clear vision, excellence in impact, customer service, and management, plus that little something extra in terms of creativity and innovation. Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company  A social enterprise which owns and operates the last manually operated turntable ferry in existence, from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye, across an ancient drover’s route from the Hebrides. All profits are reinvested into preserving the historic vessel, ensuring the sustainability of the ferry service, and supporting other local community groups and events. One to Watch Award   Supported by Bold Studio Àban  A social enterprise which provides innovative and adventurous learning experiences in schools and communities in Inverness. They help get the community out on positive adventures right on their doorstep meaning every penny raised goes to support their local charitable work. Environmental Social Enterprise Award  Supported by Circular Communities Scotland The Social Enterprise Environmental Award is for a social enterprise that is making strides towards creating a better world for people and the planet with their social and environmental sustainability credentials and has demonstrated a clear, evidenced environmental impact. Merry-go-round A one stop shop and the first choice for families in Glasgow shopping second-hand. In 2022-2023 they rehomed 19 tonnes of goods, supporting 16,502 families to make sustainable choices. The shop is also a thriving and nurturing community hub for families to meet, learn, exchange ideas, and be supported. Last year 3,400 people attended 560 events. They run wellbeing and support events as well as discussion groups, a sling library (promoting rental over new), nappucino’s (communicating benefits of reusable nappies), and more. They are partnered with 175 agencies in Glasgow to provide an average of 100 free packs of essential items per month to those facing hardships. Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Justice Award Supported by Social Investment Scotland  This new award recognises that social justice is fundamental to the social enterprise movement. This category considers those social enterprises that are addressing issues around diversity, inclusion, and equity. Resilience Learning Partnership An Education and Training provider with a dual purpose, they support the health, social care, education, housing & criminal justice sectors in Trauma Informed Practice. They inform learning and development through their work, ensuring that lived experience is considered in service design and public policy decision making areas in an authentic and meaningful way. As a lived experience led organisation, they influence positive changes across Scotland enabling services to better engage and support people with lived experience. Health and Social Care Award Supported by Gold sponsor The ALLIANCE: The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland This award recognises organisations that deliver excellent support to their users and customers around a health and social care mission, including physical and mental health as well as wellbeing. Macaulay College CIC  Located on Macaulay Farm just outside Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Macaulay College provides people with additional social and educational requirements with a programme of activities that encourages them to have meaningful and fulfilling working and social lives. Macaulay College helps people to reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.  The students mostly come through Social Work/Education department referrals.  Education strategies are developed with students to achieve their full potential and reach person specific targets that aim to enrich their working and social life. They support people with a range of additional support needs including Autism, Down’s syndrome, and mental health issues. Tech for Good  Supported by  Breeze Digital (a Community Enterprise Group social enterprise) This new award recognises a social enterprise that is using technology to achieve its social impact. This could be through developing a new product or service or enhancing their service delivery. Red Chair Highland Ltd  A social enterprise which focuses on digital inclusion services across the Highlands. They aim to improve Digital Inclusion, and overall wellbeing and reduce isolation for vulnerable individuals including older adults, those on benefits, those recently released from prison, those suffering from substance misuse, refugees, and those experiencing homelessness. By distributing devices and offering support, they hope to improve people’s online access and strengthen their abilities. Their work is proudly underpinned by a sustainable ethos, contributing to the circular economy by utilising refurbished devices. Market Builder Award Supported by Social Enterprise Academy This Award is for a social enterprise, public sector body, or private sector organisation that has demonstrably made efforts to create opportunities for social enterprises to grow their revenues and impact by tapping into supply chains and larger networks purchasing power. Circular Communities Scotland Reuse Consortium  The Consortium offers local authorities, housing associations, and other public sector organisations easy access to a range of quality assured reuse furniture and white goods from local social enterprises, removing the need to go through a tendering process. Reuse Consortium members are circular charities and social enterprises that save quality furniture from landfill and create a more circular economy in Scotland. They provide social and environmental benefits through their work and make a difference in their local communities. By buying from the Reuse Consortium, customers support a fairer, more circular, and sustainable Scotland. The Consortium’s vision is for reuse to be at the heart of procurement decisions across Scotland. Social Enterprise Champion This Award celebrates an individual working in a social enterprise who goes above and beyond to make a difference, support the mission of the organisation and deliver impact. Lisa Gemmell, Community and Relationship Mentor, Be-inn Unity CIC Lisa joined Be-inn Unity as an employee in June 2022 to grow a new initiative with a new partner, Labert High School, as a Community and Relationship Mentor. Lisa works with several groups of children and young people from the most deprived and challenging backgrounds. Lisa has embodied the values of the organisation of curiosity, authenticity, respect, and empathy, meeting young people she works with consistently with these values, at their developmental stages and offering complete safety in a relationship. Lisa quickly identified that the young people need more than just one relationship in the school community and quickly established other meaningful connections in their community, building a wider network that also offered the young people a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and belonging. Lisa has now created a space within the school for young people and staff to connect called The Bothy. A social space for teachers and pupils to learn about and support their mental health. Social Enterprise Volunteer Champion Supported by Volunteer Scotland This new Award celebrates an individual volunteering in a social enterprise who goes above and beyond to make a difference, support the mission of the organisation and deliver impact. Janie Conlon, Tartan Volunteer, Grassmarket Community Project Janie is an incredible young woman who works so hard at Grassmarket Community Project (GCP), becoming an inspiration to their staff, members, and volunteers, through her drive and commitment to build what is now their successful, profit-making Tartan Social Enterprise. Working with their Members and other volunteers, many of whom are vulnerable adults who have no previous experience of sewing, she teaches, encourages, and supports them to craft the range of quality items that are now in demand through their shop, online, Visit Scotland and Edinburgh Castle. If it were not for Janie being so committed to the project, the Grassmarket Community Project would not have been able to open the Tartan Shop and Workshop which, after 10 months is now a profitable social enterprise. More information can be found at www.socialenterprise.scot/awards Isle of Skye Ferry CIC, Àban, Circular Communities Scotland Resuse Consortium, Merry-go-round and Resilience Learning Partnership, and Red Chair Highland Ltd  have now been added to the shortlist for their respective categories at the UK Social Enterprise Awards which will take place in London on the evening of 30 November.

Every social enterprise faces a dual task of running a business in a competitive environment and addressing the core social or environmental mission at the heart of their operation. To succeed, it is vital that social enterprises are working as efficiently and effectively as possible. However, we need to better understand the challenges facing distinctive social enterprise models if we are to provide relevant support, guidance, and advice, so that they may improve their operational capacity. To build our understanding of this issue, Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) is collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to collect evidence. We will do this through Balance, a performance diagnostic & strategic management toolkit, designed and overseen by MMU, that asks social enterprises – ‘what capabilities do you have?’ Balance provides an opportunity to respond across 7 key areas from stakeholder perspectives, multi-bottom line, internal activities, learning, income diversification, governance and visioning to questions tailored to understanding your organisation's capabilities. It can then identify areas of strength and weakness and offer an appropriate strategy on how to improve – using an Action Plan to support change. You can learn more about Balance here. We will then work with MMU to collate the findings and identify the most common challenges facing social enterprises when it comes to boosting their capacity. This will inform a short report mapping out what can be done to support social enterprises reach their potential. We are asking our members who are interest to participate by completing the Balance toolkit questionnaire. All data collected will be confidentially held by MMU and SEUK, with anonymised findings informing the report. If you would like to complete the Balance toolkit, or hear more about this project, please contact the MMU team at balance@mmu.ac.uk

At the Social Enterprise World Forum in Amsterdam this month, we hosted a fringe event in partnership with our member The Ubele Initiative to explore how community wealth building can be used to empower racially minoritised communities. Community wealth building is an economic development model based on communities having control and ownership of assets. It is designed to challenge traditional neoliberal approaches to areas such as housing and work, which tend to exacerbate rather than reduce inequalities. The team at Ubele are pioneers in the community wealth building space, working to empower Black and minoritised communities in the UK. 55% of Black-owned community assets have insecure futures due to issues with funding, leases or succession planning – so Ubele works to ensure racially minoritised communities are empowered to manage their buildings and spaces. For example, the Gida Housing Co-operative aims to address poor housing outcomes and their impact on health. Ubele described it as “an affordable housing provider that enables people to have ownership and a say in the management of their own homes”, using a model where tenants control the co-operative that owns the homes. Gida is looking to take on 56 homes and has around 100 prospective tenants. Given the links between racial inequality and housing inequality, and the increasing unaffordability of cities like London, initiatives like this are vital. As part of the National Strategic Alliance, Ubele looks at community wealth building in specific communities to better design interventions and support. Ubele is also involved in the shaping and delivery of the Enterprise Development Programme, supporting Black and minority-led organisations to grow their financial resilience and impact via grants and learning. Event attendees also discussed community wealth building in a global context, analysing some of the key barriers to racial equality in the social enterprise and social impact space. Our panel of inspiring speakers included Democracy Collaborative leader Ted Howard, social entrepreneur and politician Joanne Anderson, economist Najah Aouaki and our chair Lord Victor Adebowale. Ted gave us a whistlestop tour of the history of community wealth building, including his own work on the Cleveland model, creating worker owned co-operatives in a predominantly Black city where many people live below the poverty line. He also spoke about the growing impact of co-operatives in India and the pioneering work of Mondragon in the Basque Country, which has helped the region have the greatest wealth equality in the European Union. Ted’s work now focuses on New West Amsterdam, which is home to 20% of the city’s population and most of its migrant communities but only receives around 5% of the city’s procurement spend. Racial inequality in the Netherlands was also the focus of Nadja Aouaki’s contribution to the discussion. She described rising inequality in Amsterdam since 2018, made more evident by Covid, and how it is organised racially. She stressed the importance of “alternative economic paradigms based around municipalism” and acknowledged that “in the Netherlands we still find it hard to talk about race”. Former mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson spoke about how the city’s growth from fishing port to industrial powerhouse was “built on the back of the slave trade” and how racial inequality still permeates the city. Joanne helped set up a pioneering social investment fund through social enterprise community Kindred; 25% of the £6.5 million pot went to Black-owned organisations and the goal is to reach £50 million, always having 25% earmarked to reduce racial inequality. Access to finance was also core to Lord Victor’s contribution, as The Adebowale Commission into social investment found that “Black social entrepreneurs get less funding, and funders are not led by Black people”. He mentioned that things are changing and we have moved into the “shame stage” where organisations are realising there is a problem and starting to act – but he made clear that what now needs to happen is a move “from the shame stage to the power stage” where Black-led social enterprises have truly equal investment opportunities. From Cleveland to Liverpool and Amsterdam to Spain, we heard how community wealth building empowers communities and offers an alternative to the neoliberal approach to economic development, giving communities real ownership over their futures. This fringe event was an energising start to a busy conference schedule, so we hope many others will be inspired by lessons learned and connections made.

This week (18 October) we hosted our first Social Procurement Meet-up, bringing together hundreds of people from our Recommended Social Enterprise Supplier network and our Corporate Buyer network. After a welcome from our CEO Peter Holbrook, we heard the inspiring story behind our event venue, Good Company. Cemal Ezel explained how his Change Please coffee company has aligned with fellow social enterprise Toast Ale brewery to serve life-changing drinks by day and planet-saving drinks by night, working together to end homelessness and reduce food waste. CBRE’s ESG Director Amy Brogan spoke about the importance of social value and social procurement – across society generally as well as in her company specifically, which won our ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award last year for their impressive work building social enterprises into supply chains. Amy shared valuable insight and advice for buying organisations looking to ramp up their engagement with social enterprise suppliers. We also heard the social enterprise perspective on procurement partnerships from Jane Hatton, CEO of Evenbreak, who really brought to life what it means when big businesses work with our sector. Jane said: “When you buy with social enterprises, it’s not a transaction, it’s a transformation.” Following these powerful speeches, guests enjoyed a ‘speed networking’ session that enabled them to make hundreds of new contacts and explore professional connections. To help everyone connect with people suited to their business needs, we set up dedicated zones for common workstreams, covering everything from catering and facilities management to marketing and HR. Reflecting on the day, our CEO Peter Holbrook said: “It’s clear from the energy in the room today that procurement is changing – and in choosing the kind of business you want to work with, you can help create the kind of world you want to live in. With events like this and our social procurement services, we’re growing a life-changing and planet-saving movement, as companies big and small join forces to actively tackle the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time.” To find out more, go to www.socialenterprise.org.uk/get-involved/social-procurement.

On 18 October the Senedd played host to the annual Social Business Wales Awards this year, recognising the invaluable work of six Welsh social enterprises. Social businesses in Wales account for 2.6% of the total businesses in Wales, employing over 65,000 workers, with an annual turnover for the sector calculated ats £4.8bn. The Social Business Wales Award winners were: Câr-y-Môr: Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Câr-y-Môr is committed to starting the first commercial seaweed and shellfish farm in Wales, to motivate and inspire others to duplicate. With a commitment to making a positive impact on the Welsh coastline and the local community, Câr-y-Môr impressed our judges with their innovative approach to running a business that puts their people and community at their core. https://www.carymor.wales/ The Bike Lock: One to Watch Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Cardiff’s first secure cycle storage facility. An independent bike storage and coworking space, serving locally roasted coffee in the heart of Cardiff. With a mission to build a space that encourages people to be more active and engage with their community, The Bike Lock impressed the judges with their passion and drive to support active travel in and around Cardiff, enabling a healthier and happier community. https://www.thebikelock.co.uk/ Outside Lives: Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Justice Sponsored by The Co-op With nature as their guide, Outside Lives are committed to connecting both people and communities, creating a more supportive, adaptable, resilient and resourceful environment for every living thing. https://www.outsidelivesltd.org Eleanor Shaw, People Speak Up: Social Enterprise Women’s Champion Eleanor is the Founder and Artistic and Business director of People Speak Up (PSU). Having spent many years as a leader in further education settings Eleanor felt the call to really make an even bigger impact. After making the brave move to leave her leadership role in FE she took time out and travelled to find healing and purpose. Eleanor found that through storytelling. https://peoplespeakup.co.uk/ With Music in Mind: Community-based Social Enterprise  Sponsored by Legal and General With Music In Mind is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in South Wales offering a regular service for older people in the community. The judges were impressed by the care and dedication With Music in Mind show towards the people that need their service, and their plans to extend their services to a wider area, ensuring more people suffering with isolation have the support they need and deserve. https://www.withmusicinmind.co.uk/ Creating Enterprise: Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year Sponsored by University of Wales Trinity St David Creating Enterprise, part of Cartrefi Conwy, is an award-winning building and maintenance contractor based in North Wales. The judges were impressed by their plans to build energy efficient, carbon zero homes, certified by Beattie Passive, whilst also employing the people supported by Cartrefi Conwy in the construction of these innovative homes. https://www.creatingenterprise.org.uk/en/home/ Social Business Wales, which is funded by the Welsh Government, provides intensive one-to-one support to social businesses and social entrepreneurs across Wales that are seeking  to expand or create jobs. Social Business Wales is delivered in partnership by Cwmpas, Unltd, WCVA, Development Bank of Wales, and Social Firms Wales. The programme is funded by the Welsh Government, and it is part of the Business Wales service Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, speaking on behalf of the Social Business Wales partners said: “Social enterprises embedded within their communities provide much needed support, services and jobs. “We have brilliant examples of businesses doing their bit to reduce the impact of climate change and reaching out to new members of the community through their equity, diversity and inclusion work. Congratulations to all our wonderful winners.” All the winners from the Social Business Wales Awards have automatically been added to the shortlist for their respective categories for the UK Social Enterprise Awards which will take place at the Roundhouse in London on 30 November. The headline sponsor for the Social Business Wales Awards 2023 is Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Categories were also sponsored by Legal and General, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and The Co-Op

The Liverpool City Region has won Social Enterprise Place status from an expert judging panel in recognition of its thriving social economy, with former mayor Joanne Anderson accepting the award at our Future Economy Alliance roundtable in Blackburne House.  The Social Enterprise Places initiative, established by national sector body Social Enterprise UK, formally identifies areas of the country where local stakeholders are dedicated to supporting social enterprises.   With deep-rooted social enterprise activity, Liverpool City Region boasts 1,400 social organisations generating £3 billion in annual income and employing 45,000 people. These encompass diverse areas, from cultural institutions like Future Yard and Shakespeare North Playhouse to urban farms, creative maker spaces, bike couriers and care organisations.  Mayor Steve Rotheram initiated social trading community Kindred in 2020, with support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Power to Change. Former mayor Joanne Anderson leads Kindred’s Black Social Traders Network, as well as the Liverpool City Region’s Social Investment Pathfinder which aims to increase sector investment from £5 million to £50 million.  Lord Victor Adebowale, patron of the Pathfinder and chair of Social Enterprise UK, praised the Liverpool City Region contribution to broader economic and social development through social businesses. Our CEO Peter Holbrook also commended the achievement, saying:  “It’s fantastic that Liverpool City Region has been recognised a Social Enterprise Place – and particularly pertinent while it hosts Labour Party Conference, with politicians discussing some of the major challenges where social enterprises can offer real solutions, from levelling up to Net Zero.   “Liverpool’s social enterprises already play a key role in the local economy, not only providing vital services but supporting the community and improving the environment. We hope its new Social Enterprise Place status will act as a lightning rod to supercharge the sector’s growth and deliver the economic transformation needed for communities across Liverpool to realise their full potential.”  To find out more about Social Enterprise Places click here.

As thousands of people prepare to attend Labour Party Conference, Social Enterprise UK has been working with its venue ACC Liverpool and catering contractors Sodexo to maximise the event’s positive impact by bringing social enterprises into its supply chain. 40% of conference suppliers are social enterprises, with plans to increase this further next year. All the coffee at the event will be supplied by social enterprises, and a quarter of the total catering spend is with social enterprises. Overall, event organisers estimate it will generate hundreds of thousands of pounds in social value through its diverse supply chain, including: Belu invest 100% of their profit in pursuit of their purpose: to change the way the world sees water and have given £5.8m to WaterAid. The water supplied to the conference will fuel their ‘Purpose P&L’ with £7,400.  Change Please coffee will enable hundreds of people experiencing homelessness to access housing, training and living wage jobs as baristas Half the Story biscuits will provide 75 hours of employment for homeless people Homebaked will generate £93,500 in social value by providing jobs, training, community engagement and regeneration in the local Anfield area – one of the most socioeconomically deprived regions of the UK Nemi Tea will help create stable work for refugees at TRAMPOLINE Café to support them on their upward journey Spare Snacks will keep conference attendees fed using thousands of ‘wonky’ or surplus apples that would otherwise be wasted Fruitful Office, to help local communities and address deforestation. This event coincides with Liverpool winning formal recognition as a Social Enterprise City, which means it’s a hotspot for purpose-led business with a clear plan to support this growing strength in its local economy. Liverpool is the 36th accredited Social Enterprise Place in the UK, ranging from small towns to whole counties united in dedication to mission-led business. As the first time a political party conference has made such a significant financial investment in its wider social and environmental impact, event organisers encourage others to follow suit. There’s a growing trend in public and private sector procurement to ‘buy social’, supported by the Public Services Act (2012), but understanding and implementation still varies widely across the country. Jonathan Reynolds MP, shadow Secretary of State for business, energy and industrial strategy, commented: “Labour backs small businesses and our Annual Conference is a great opportunity to champion the good business practice we see here in the UK. Labour supports businesses of all sizes, and it is fantastic to see the growing social enterprise market showcased here in Liverpool. Labour knows the value of business to communities and our economy that's why we will give firms of all sizes the strong economic foundations they need to prosper.” Peter Holbrook CBE, chief executive of national sector body Social Enterprise UK, added: “It’s great to see the Labour Party recognising the value of social enterprise in our economy, transitioning its annual conference to do less harm and create more benefit for people and planet. Integrating social enterprises into the conference’s supply chain gives a glimpse of how business can be done better, and how we can build an economy where all of society profits – so we hope other major events take inspiration from this and follow suit.” Rebecca Kane Burton, CEO Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, said: “Social impact is at the beating heart of Sodexo; it’s a core value upon which our founder Pierre Bellon built the business back in 1966. Working with the Labour Party and the ACC Liverpool Group therefore provides the ideal backdrop to showcase the social enterprises and diverse supply chain we partner with. “For many years we have welcomed SMEs and VCSEs into our business, and worked to reduce our impact on the environment and create social impact. We also continue to partner with local colleges and other organisations to offer career opportunities to individuals struggling to find employment for whatever reason. I am delighted our team is able to play its part in connecting with and benefiting the communities we serve.” Faye Dyer, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, concluded: “Social value is at the heart of The ACC Liverpool Group and we are delighted to work with Sodexo Live! and the Labour Party to further our shared values and commitments. The Labour Party conference provides us all with a valuable platform to showcase these important organisations and their initiatives, which are making a real positive difference.”