The shortlist for the prestigious Social Business Wales Awards 2023 is announced

Following a huge response to this years call for nominations for the Social Business Wales awards, we are thrilled to announce the shortlist for this years Social Business Wales Awards.

The Awards are part of the Business Wales programme delivered by a consortium of providers that includes Cwmpas, Development Trusts Association Wales, Social Firms Wales, UnLtd and the WCVA, and is funded by the Welsh Government.

The annual Social Business Wales Awards celebrates the social enterprises across Wales working to make a difference locally, nationally, and globally.

The shortlisted organisations for the 2023 Social Business Wales Awards are as follows:

Social Enterprise of the Year (Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water)

Câr-y-Môr

…is a community owned business using regenerative ocean farming, food security and sustainable job creation to improve the coastal environment, and improve the wellbeing of the local community. It’s all for the love of the Sea.

Galeri Caernarfon Cyf

…is a town development trust established to pursue social, economic and environmental projects for the benefit of the community in Caernarfon and the surrounding area. Their vision is that anything is possible through creative thought and sustainable action.

Partneriaeth Ogwen

…is a Social Enterprise established through innovative collaboration by Bethesda, Llanllechid and Llandygai Community Councils, dedicated to creating community, economic, cultural and environmental benefit to their local area of Dyffryn Ogwen.

One to Watch (Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water)

Menter y Glan

… is a community benefits society formed to raise the funds to buy it’s local pub and restaurant, saving the very heart of the village of Pennal, and creating a hub to strengthen the community.

Signposted Cymru

… is an initial and immediate intervention with early prevention for individuals struggling
and needing support with mental health and well-being issues. Their support is responsive and
tailored for individuals who strive for a brighter future.

The Bike Lock

…is a social enterprise committed to making Cardiff (and beyond) a more active, healthier, and
happier city. Their mission is to take away the barriers that prevent people from travelling actively, through providing secure bike parking for over 50 bikes, showers and lockers, and operating a cafe selling local, sustainable and ethically sourced products, and a community space for work and events.

Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Justice (Sponsored by The Co-op)

Inside Out Wales

…is a community interest company offering support and guidance to people with convictions wishing to set up in self-employment, accessing further or higher education in the community, or entering into employment.

NeuDICE CIC

… is the Neurodivergent and Inclusive Community of Entrepreneurs, an effective, unique response to the inequitable experiences of neurodivergent entrepreneurs and others who work for themselves. Their services include coaching and mentoring for neurodivergent-led businesses, and training for mainstream businesses and academic institutions to build their neuro-inclusivity.

Outside Lives

… is a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation, acting as a vehicle to empower local people to share their ideas and then equip them with skills and support they need to realise them.

Social Enterprise Women’s Champion

Hannah Pugh, Holistic Hoarding

Hannah joined Holistic Hoarding in 2022 as a Therapeutic Support Worker. Within 6 months she was promoted to the Caerphilly Project Co-ordinator. Hannah’s colleagues nominated her for this award as she manages to take every single challenge in her stride, and surrounds everyone she meets with love, kindness and true compassion.

Eleanor Shaw, People Speak Up

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.

Lucy Powell, Outside Lives Ltd

Lucy, the founder of Outside Lives, recognised that her efforts as a Social Worker was limited in its impact by external factors. This led to her developing a model where people were recognized by their strengths and skills, not limited by a description of their disability or their financial status.

Community-based Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Legal and General)

Câr-y-Môr

… is a community benefit society that is owned equally by all its members, committed to making a positive impact on the Welsh coastline and the local community.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum

… is a multiaward-winning Community Interest Company dedicated to protecting and sustaining coasts and oceans for future generations. Their mission is to inspire, collaborate and deliver solutions for sustainable coastal communities.

With Music in Mind

…is a CIC which aims to improve well-being and reduce social isolation and loneliness for people aged 50+ by running singing / gentle exercise and social groups in the community. Currently run six weekly groups at four locations in the Vale of Glamorgan, groups consist of a first period of singing or gentle exercise, followed by refreshments and an hour of structured social activity.

Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year (Sponsored by University of Wales Trinity St David)

Câr-y-Môr

…is a community owned seaweed farm based in Pembrokeshire, which oversees the operations of a state of the art Seaweed refinery in St Davids, creating a bio-stimulant concentrate which will improve soil health by reducing the need to synthetic fertilizers.

Creating Enterprise

…a subsidiary of Cartrefi Conwy, provides a range of contracting and development services to clients across the public and private sector. Future plans include the construction of Passivhaus certified homes which offer the best in terms of energy efficiency and low carbon emissions, offering significant health and financial benefits to occupants.

SimpLee Swim Ltd

… provides specialised swimming lessons to those with additional learning needs and disabilities. Finding a swim school for a child who has additional learning needs or a disability (ALND) is near impossible. SimpLee Swim are on a mission to change that.

Awards ceremony

The winners will be announced at an evening awards ceremony in Cardiff on the 18th of October at the Senedd.

Click here to get your tickets

Winners at the Social Business Wales awards will go on to represent Wales at the national Social Enterprise UK Awards.

The 2023 Social Business Wales awards are proudly supported by our sponsors:

Headline sponsor: Dŵr Cymru

Category sponsors: Legal and General, The Co-op, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

It is an exciting time as we progress to the final judging stage where we will select the overall category winners.

For more information on the Social Business Wales awards 2023 please email awards@cwmpas.coop.