Aberdeen-based Social Firm, the bread maker (www.thebreadmaker.org.uk), won the ‘Best New Social Enterprise’ category in the national heats of the Social Enterprise Awards at the Scottish Parliament on 17 November. CEO Donald Anderson and his Vice Chair picked up the award from Cabinet Secretary John Swinney. Social Firms are businesses set up to create employment for people disadvantaged in the workforce - the bread maker is an artisan bakery and coffee house which provides meaningful work and training for adults with learning disability.
The Social Enterprise Awards recognise and celebrate the vital work carried out by the most successful social enterprises in the UK in terms of their: - impact on society and/or the environment; - innovative approach to addressing social/environmental needs; - quality of business.
Social Firms UK CEO, Sally Reynolds, comments: "the bread maker is a valued member of Social Firms UK. We are delighted that the fantastic work they do has received national recognition!”
The next stage
the breadmaker will now compete against three other social enterprises (one each from Northern Ireland, England and Wales) for the title of ‘Best New Social Enterprise.’ The winner will be decided through a public online vote, from now until 30 November. If you would like to show support for the breadmaker, cast your vote online at http://www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/awards_vote.php
To view a video of the bread maker and find out more about why they think they should win, visit: http://www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/pages/profiles-best-new-social-enterprises.html#bread
The winner will be announced at a gala event in London on 3 December 2009.
For more information about the Social Enterprise Awards visit: www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk