Member Article

Sunderland is a Social Enterprise Place

Sunderland has been named as one of the best cities in the country to be a Social Entrepreneur. The city has been named a Social Enterprise Place by Social Enterprise UK, the criteria stating that Sunderland had proven its commitment to support and grow social enterprise; measure social enterprise activity in the area and share knowledge and best practice with other Social Enterprise Places across the country.

Social Enterprise UK says registered Social Enterprise Places will receive their support to engage with local councils, businesses, charities, consumers and budding social entrepreneurs, bringing them together to grow their social enterprise communities.

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise UK, said: “As a social enterprise place, Sunderland is rightly being recognised for its groundbreaking (sic) work, injecting life into communities across the city, creating local wealth, and helping people most in need - such as those who have fallen on hard times, are furthest from the labour market and living with disabilities.”

Sunderland’s bid was led by SES, a social enterprise company focussed on development in the sector, which has offices in Sunderland and North Shields. The organisation has so far supported the establishment of over 3,500 small business start-ups and 245 social enterprises over three decades.

Mark Heskett Saddington, director at SES, said: “This latest accolade is yet more recognition for the many social enterprises in the city that are thriving, creating jobs and helping to boost the local economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cara J. Stewart .