Social Firm, Bikeworks (www.bikeworks.org.uk), have won ‘Best New Social Enterprise’ for England in the 2009 Social Enterprise Awards and were presented with their award by Tessa Jowell, Minister For The Cabinet Office, yesterday (Nov 19), Social Enterprise Day, at a special reception at Downing Street.
Social Firms are businesses set up to create employment for people disadvantaged in the workforce – Bikeworks’ business focus is the provision of organisational and public cycle services in areas of social deprivation in East London. It also provides employment and training opportunities for marginalised individuals.
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 and quality of business.
Dave Miller of Bikeworks said: ‘We are delighted to have been successful in winning this award. We have achieved a lot in our short history and we believe this award can help Bikeworks move onto the next stage and support plans to scale up and replicate our successful community cycling hub model in other areas so that many more people can benefit from our cycling initiatives.’
Social Firms UK CEO, Sally Reynolds, comments: "Bikeworks is a valued member of Social Firms UK. We are delighted that the fantastic work they do has received national recognition!”
The next stage
Bikeworks will now compete against three other social enterprises (one each from Scotland, Northern Ireland & Wales) for the UK's ‘Best New Social Enterprise.’ If you would like to show your support for Bikeworks, cast your vote online at www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/awards_vote.php from now until the 30 November.
To see a video about Bikeworks and read why about why they think they should be the winners, visit: http://www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/pages/profiles-best-new-social-enterprises.html#Bikeworks
The winner will then 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
Photo: John Taylor at Bikeworks