International Women’s Day: Welsh social enterprises Accelerating Action for all women and girls

This International Women’s Day, we’re joining with like-minded social enterprises across Wales to celebrate incredible women. 

Social enterprises are creating opportunities for women and girls, prioritising well-being, finding and sharing opportunities, and empowering women through myriad ways. 

Women face systemic barriers that impact their well-being, professional and personal lives, and threaten equality. From unpaid labour expectations to financial insecurity and gender-based violence, these challenges often limit women’s opportunities to thrive. 

For many marginalised women, challenges are further compounded by racial or socioeconomic barriers which restrict access to opportunities. 

These challenges are real. 

It can feel like an uphill battle – but across Wales and the UK, social enterprises are creating community-driven solutions that support women and the wider community. 

By recognising the unique challenges women face, social enterprises help women to learn new skills, find job opportunities, and benefit from community support. 

Sometimes for the first time, women have a voice, and the opportunities they deserve to reach their potential and live their dreams.

Here’s how innovative social enterprises, and the women who run them, are working with their communities to address the issues that impact women most.

Run 4 Wales (R4W) is driven by a desire to deliver world-class events with a positive social agenda. Their surpluses are invested into grassroots sport and community projects through the R4W Charitable Foundation. Read International Women’s Day case studies on their website.

The Community Impact Initiative is supporting community members to improve their health and wellbeing, and learn new skills through the regeneration of houses in their local communities. Read International Women’s Day case studies on their website.

Groundwork North Wales works alongside local communities, public bodies and private companies to create positive impacts together for people, places and planet. Read International Women’s Day case studies on their website.

Cwmpas is a development agency working for positive change, in Wales and across the UK.

We are a co-operative, and our focus is on building a fairer, greener economy and a more equal society, where people and planet come first.

There are around 10 million social enterprises globally, creating 200 million jobs across various sectors, and raising approximately $2 trillion in annual revenue.

In Wales, social businesses account for 2.6% of total businesses, employing over 65,000 workers, and creating an annual turnover of £4.8 billion.

About half of social enterprises world-wide are led by women – a great example of how the sector bucks trends and addresses inequalities.

Here are some International Women’s Day case studies spotlighting some of the inspirational women from social enterprises in Wales that we’ve supported.

Julia Rees – Maldwyn Dragons Gymnastics Club

Cwmpas advised social entrepreneur Julia Rees last year on plans for her brainchild, Maldwyn Dragons Gymnastics Club in Newtown, Powys.

For 20 years, Julia and her team have coached hundreds of young people in Newtown to practice social skills and develop self-confidence, discipline, fitness, and friendships through the sport of gymnastics. When they’re 17, they can become coaches in their own right, with a pathway to earn money for the rest of their lives through a hobby they love.

Julia offers young people a safe space to practice social skills, a community, life skills, fitness, friendship, a fun hobby, satisfaction from overcoming challenges, opportunities to grow and learn, jobs, and a wage.

Julia’s business is a perfect example of how social enterprises break down barriers, promote opportunity, and solve social issues.

Helen Williams – Borth Community Hub

“15 years ago, I was a mum of four young children and chaired a family centre group which ran one day a week. Now I manage Borth Community Hub.

“We’ve grown steadily into an organisation providing support to a whole range of people and age-groups in this region of rural north Ceredigion.

“We run community support activities including Borth family centre, Borth youth club, activities for older adults including walking4wellbeing and a dementia friendly group, Borth men’s shed, and a community Cafe and Warm Welcome space. New offerings are a Library of Things, and a pop up creative cafe for older adults.

“Life can be tough, but in this small corner of rural Wales, being part of Borth Community Hub means being at the heart of the local community.

Support is key for us – helping people to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. It’s the little things – the difference in people since they’ve been coming. There’s no question – people value the Hub.”

Nia Llywelyn – Hwyliaith

“After a long career, I came back to my roots in Ceredigion to show people that learning Welsh doesn’t have be difficult, and it can be fun!

“The Welsh language is so vitally important to Wales’s heritage and modern identity.

“That’s what I’m here for – to give back to my community, and make sure everyone can speak Welsh who wants to speak Welsh, no matter their age.

“Hearing the language spoken in the community gives people confidence, and the motivation to come together, practice speaking Welsh with fellow learners, and carry on learning.

Language can be fun – and Welsh is magical and opens the door to a whole new world.”

Shoruk Nekeb – Grange Pavilion Youth Forum

Shoruk Nekeb is an older sister, a community builder, youth advocate, and a Master’s student in architecture. She’s also co-director of Grange Pavilion Youth Forum, a youth-led social enterprise in Grangetown, Cardiff whose programmes help young people learn to thrive, lead, and shape their communities through business training, environmental projects, and creative initiatives.

Shoruk’s empathy and dedication to her community is leaving a lasting legacy on Grangetown’s landscape.

“Juggling my studies, personal and family challenges, and being of Libyan background has shaped my perspective and resilience. Navigating spaces where young women, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, are underrepresented has been difficult, but it has also fuelled my passion for creating inclusive opportunities for young women like myself.

“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible women who have shaped my journey. Now I’m giving back, and helping young women to grow as leaders, gain financial independence, and build confidence in a professional environment.”

Alex Kegie – Nurologik

“I know first hand what it’s like to navigate a world that isn’t built for you. As an autistic / ADHD person with dyslexia and sensory sensitivities, I’ve had no choice but to resign from employment, because the environments were inaccessible.

“Neurodivergent individuals face overwhelming barriers – not just sensory challenges, but also widespread misunderstanding, employment struggles, and a mental health crisis.

“I founded Nurologik because I want to help create a world where neurodivergent people don’t just survive – we thrive. Visitors might arrive at an event I’m at looking broken, overwhelmed, and exhausted. They leave calm, smiling, and very grateful.

“I have a vision of a world where sensory-friendly environments are standard features in work and public spaces – a vital part of residential, commercial and urban planning design.

“I want my children, grandchildren, and every individual, regardless of their neuro-type, to feel supported and included, and to have the chance to experience a world that truly values them.”

Alison Gorman – Dream Home Swansea

“I worked in the NHS for the past 33 years as a psychologist working in health, grief and trauma. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago, and retired on ill health last year. Since then, I’ve had major surgery and been in and out of chemotherapy – but I know that Dream Home Swansea wouldn’t be where it is today if I was still working full time.

“The first plans for Dream Home Swansea began in 2017, when I brought a group together to help young people with additional needs transition from home into a form of supported living which truly represented their needs and wishes.

“It has taken eight years to develop consultation sessions and identify what young people actually want. We have been supported by Cwmpas for the past four years.

“There is still a lot to do, but we are making good progress.”

Helen Davies – Sunflower Lounge

“People said I was crazy trying to set up Sunflower Lounge – a café and training centre where young people estranged from their families (like the young me) and young care leavers can learn skills in a safe, trusted environment, build friendships, independence, and self-esteem, and finally feel that they belong – but I did it anyway!

“Four years on, we have our own little premises, young people from across south and west Wales who want to get involved, and a web of trusted adults supporting me, the Lounge, and the young people.

“This has been an incredibly healing process, overcoming imposter syndrome and the belief that I was no good.

“It has shown me that treating people with love, respect, and kindness is much more fulfilling than being a slave to money. My mantra is ‘Find your tribe’ and ‘Stronger together’. On the hard days I rest but don’t quit. The rest of the time, I push away the negative talk and dig deep, push for change, and make sure that if you’re part of the tribe, you’re never alone.”