Strengthening Social Enterprise Across the Four Nations
Posted: 13 June 2025, in Blog-News
This week marked another inspiring milestone in the growing collaboration between Social Enterprise Scotland, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, Social Enterprise UK, and Cwmpas in Wales. As part of our ongoing commitment to working together, we were delighted to be hosted in Cardiff by Cwmpas for a couple of fantastic days filled with learning, sharing, and forward-thinking conversations.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to deepen our collective understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector across the UK. We explored best practice, shared intelligence, and continued discussions on how we can strengthen our influence on policy and grow our collaboration around key initiatives such as the annual Social Enterprise Awards.
A huge thank you to our hosts, Cwmpas, for curating a rich and engaging programme, featuring insightful contributions from some outstanding local organisations. We’re particularly grateful to Alun from Social Investment Cymru for his thoughtful presentation on social investment, with a strong focus on customer-centred approaches; to Tom from Bike Lock, whose independent bike storage and coworking space, serving locally roasted coffee in the heart of Cardiff, and is as warm and welcoming as it is innovative; to Jonny from the Future Generations Commission for his valuable update on the Welsh Wellbeing Economy; and to Matt from Platfform, who shared their impressive journey of growth and impact through strategic mergers and acquisitions. It was truly inspiring to witness the innovative, work happening across Wales.
We also gained deeper insight into Cwmpas’ work supporting social enterprises, cooperatives, and employee-owned businesses, a model that resonates strongly with ongoing efforts in Scotland to promote inclusive and democratic business approaches.
These four-nation exchanges continue to reaffirm the strength and diversity of the UK’s social enterprise movement. By learning from one another and building stronger ties, we can champion a more inclusive and impactful future for social enterprise across all our nations.
Kim Wallace, Social Enterprise Scotland.