Social Firms UK

The European Social Firms of the Year Awards, which took place during the Social Firms UK and Social Firms Europe CEFEC annual conference, celebrated some of the fantastic work taking place across Europe was showcased and celebrated in style.  Those winners in full:-

Best Overall winner 2010: Oxford Wood Recycling Ltd, UK Oxford Wood Recycling creates jobs and training opportunities for those with disabilities and the long-term unemployed. It aims to reduce, reuse and recycle wood and timber - helping to reduce the amount of ‘waste’ wood currently sent to landfill. Started 5 years ago, OWR meet an environmental and social bottom line and have almost tripled their turnover in 3 years without any subsidies. Though small, they are highly effective. www.oxfordwoodrecycling.org.uk Photo l-r: Peter Speckhahn-Hass of di.hako Group, Richard Snow & Kim Styles from OWR and Sally Reynolds, Chief Exec of Social Firms UK. Photo by Lippy People CIC.

Best Large Social Firm 2010: Arcobaleno, Italy Started with just 5 employees, Arcobaleno now have 261 full time employees (78 are disabled or disadvantaged) and 21 part time employees (6 are disabled or disadvantaged). Founded in 1992, Arcobaleno creates new businesses around environmental sustainability, combining highly skilled professionals with the inclusion of socially disadvantaged workers. www.cooparcobaleno.net Photo l-r: Peter Speckhahn-Hass of di.hako Group, Anna Desanso from Arcobaleno, Sally Reynolds from Social Firms UK and Giacomo Giargia from Arcobaleno. Photo by Lippy People CIC.

Best Small Social Firm 2010: Brighter Future Workshop, UK Skelmersdale’s Brighter Future Workshop has 5 full time disabled employees and 4 part time employees (1 of whom is disabled). During their presentation earlier in the day, they talked about their recycling activities – both with regards to the mobility equipment and the youngsters who work and train there. All are given a new lease of life – but only the mobility scooters are re-sold! www.bfworkshop.co.uk Photo l-r: Jackie Tittle & Peter Cousins MBE from Brighter Future Workshop, Peter Speckhahn-Hass of di.hako Group and Sally Reynolds from Social Firms UK. Photo by Lippy People CIC.

Best Social Firm creating sustainable jobs specifically for people with mental health problems: Daisies Café, Northern Ireland Newtownard’s Daisies Café provides training and employment opportunities in a commercial environment for people with learning disabilities and mental illness. It was the first Social Firm in Northern Ireland to mix both mental health and learning disabilities and has doubled its turnover in 3 years with no subsidies. www.daisiescafe.co.uk Photo l-r: Peter Speckhahn-Hass of di.hako Group, Sally Reynolds from Social Firms UK and Derek McClure, Director Daisies Café. Photo by Lippy People CIC.