Announcing the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2022 Winners
Posted: 02 November 2022, in Press Release
The brightest stars of the social enterprise movement in Scotland have been recognised at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
The Social Enterprise Awards recognise the unique economic and social contribution made by the sector across Scotland.
The awards, hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland, were held at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, November 1.
Judges looked at entrants across six categories, including the coveted Social Enterprise of the Year, which was awarded to Hey Girls CIC. The social enterprise tackles period poverty.
Other winners were Coffee Saints, an Edinburgh social enterprise café, who scooped the One to Watch Award, Social Supermarket, an online platform bringing together products from more than 100,000 social enterprises in one place, which was given the Market Builder Award, and Glasgow-based language school Lingo Flamingo, which won the Health and Social Care Award.
Wood RecyclAbility won the Environmental Social Enterprise Award for its work to transform some 1,500 tonnes of waste wood into practical products each year.
Catherine Jones, from the Grassmarket Community Project was named Social Enterprise Champion of the Year for her work to tackle exclusion through mentoring, education and support.
The Volunteer Champion this year is Adam Leishman, Fareshare & the West of Scotland. Adam has acted as a mentor in supporting the most difficult-to-reach young people and volunteers throughout the pandemic. Adam also took responsibility to design and implement a new garden for everyone to enjoy and sit chatting about their shared experiences in life.
In July this year, Social Enterprise Scotland was chosen by the Scottish Government to represent social enterprises in Scotland with one clear voice.
The independent and membership-led organisation supports and promotes the rich and diverse social enterprise sector across the country, helping them to maximise their social and economic contribution to Scotland.
Chris Martin, chief executive of Social Enterprise Scotland, said:
“Our winners show the incredible contribution made by social enterprises in tackling some of the most pressing issues we face – from the environment to poverty and inequality.
“The last two years have been extremely challenging not only for trade, but also for the people and communities supported by our social enterprise community.
“The part that they play in supporting people and communities has never been more important, and I would like to pay tribute to their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit as they ensure support reached the communities that need it the most.
“I would also like to thank our sponsors for their support in making the awards possible. We are privileged to have a community like this and we are proud to celebrate with you.”
A full list of shortlisted social enterprises and winners is below.
Social Enterprise of the Year Award
(Supported by Keegan and Pennykid)
This award recognises organisations with great vision, leadership and management who have a high degree of customer satisfaction and sustainability, and help promote social enterprise beyond the sector.
Shortlist: Edinburgh Remakery, Hey Girls CIC, Just Trading Scotland, Scran Academy, The Larder
2022 Winner: Hey Girls CIC
One to Watch Award
(Supported by Bold Studio)
This award recognises organisations with a creative approach to impact problem-solving, a clear future vision and strong potential for success and growth.
Shortlist: Coffee Saints, Kindness & Co CIC, Make Do & Grow CIC
2022 Winner: Coffee Saints
Market Builder Award
(Supported by Social Enterprise Academy)
This award recognises organisations in the social, public or private sector who are champions of the social enterprise model and help build markets for social enterprises by creating opportunities to buy social.
Shortlist: Social Supermarket, SDP (Supplier Development Programme)
2022 Winner: Social Supermarket
Health and Social Care Award
(Supported by Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland)
This award recognises organisations that deliver excellent support to their users and customers around a health and social care mission, including physical and mental health as well as wellbeing.
Shortlist: Care Opinion Scotland, Lingo Flamingo, Mellow Parenting, MorphFit Gentle Movement Project, S.M.I.L.E. Counselling
2022 Winner: Lingo Flamingo
Environmental Social Enterprise Award
(Supported by Circular Communities Scotland)
This award recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in green and environmental impact delivery, place sustainability at the heart of their mission and play a key role in the fight against climate change.
Shortlist: ApparelXchange, Move On Wood Recycling, Sustainable Thinking CIC, The Bike Station, Wood RecyclAbility
2022 Winner: Wood RecyclAbility
Social Enterprise Champion
(Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise)
This award celebrates an individual working or volunteering in a social enterprise who goes above and beyond to make a difference, support the mission of the organisation and deliver impact.
Shortlist: Lorraine Close, Outreach Director at Edinburgh Community Yoga; June Dickson, Director at Environmental Health CIC; Catherine Jones, Social Enterprise Director at Grassmarket Community Project; Adam Leishman, Volunteer Warehouse Operative at FareShare Glasgow & the West of Scotland; Steve McNaught, Coordinator at Arkbound Foundation
2022 Winner: Catherine Jones, Grassmarket Community Project