Search results for : in category Social Enterprise
Smart People Use Smart Money Cymru
You could be forgiven for thinking that Smart Money Cymru in Caerphilly town centre is a high street bank, but actually it’s a credit union with over 4,500 members who have junior, adult and corporate accounts. A Credit Union differs from a bank in that it is a financial cooperative, which means that it is owned and run by its members. Smart Money Cymru began life in 1989 as Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Credit Union then changed to Caerphilly and District Credit Union in 2000, before adopting the Smart Money Cymru brand in 2010. The General Manager is Andrina Davies who originally started working for the credit union as a volunteer before successfully securing a job. Andrina was promoted to the role of General Manager in 2011. Andrina said: As a credit union Smart Money Cymru is open to anyone regardless of their status. The great thing about us is that as a financial cooperative we offer people a safe, secure and ethical way to save or borrow. The Smart Money Cyrmu interactive web site provides information on how to join and more details of how Smart Money Cymru works: www.smartmoneycymru.co.uk
15th annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards for 2016
The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards are considered one of Wales’s most hotly contested and prestigious business awards. Rewarding success and recognising business excellence within Caerphilly County Borough over the last 12 months, the Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors who can compete for one of 9 coveted titles – register now! This year Caerphilly Business Forum will be celebrating the 15th anniversary gala awards dinner on Friday 18th November 2016 – hosted by BBC Wales TV Presenter Jamie Owen at Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel & Spa. View the categories here To buy your tickets to the CBF Awards, click here.
Community Catalysts launches a free marketing guide
Community Catalysts launches a free marketing guide This week we launch a clear and practical marketing guide. The booklet is aimed at people running small community enterprises and ventures that offer health, care and wellbeing services and supports to other people. Written in partnership with the University of Worcester the cost of producing the guide was funded by the prize money we gained from winning the Carnegie Trust’s Enabling State Challenge. To find out more click on the link http://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/community-catalysts-launches-a-free-marketing-guide/
Graig Y Rhacca Gets Thrifty
Graig Y Rhacca Resource Centre Ltd a trading Social Enterprise has just opened its first “Thrift Shop”. The American idea was spotted by Gareth Mitchell Centre Manager as an excellent business model for generating income and recycling nearly new clothes, toys and various other items. The project has already been looked at by other Social Enterprises in neighbouring local authorities with a view to franchising the project in their areas. Gareth explained: We initially trialled our new concept by converting an office space into a make shift shop and from there we saw just what we could achieve. We accept nearly new, good quality clothing, toys and other unloved items which we then sell on behalf of our customers. All profits generated are then reinvested back into the community in the form of projects and activities for all of the residents of Graig Y Rhacca. With the support of the Communities First we were able to open our first Thrift shop and are looking to grow the business. Soon, we will be able to offer work placements and volunteers a place where they will have the chance to learn all about retail industry, all about employment and all about community projects, whilst building their confidence. Stephanie Mitchell project lead of Thrift Shop said: The first day was a great success and once customers saw the great quality clothing and items we have here, we were kept really busy. This project is still new and still small but I think it has a great future as we have had masses of…
Social Business Wales Awards 2016 – spread the word!
Apply for the Social Business Wales Awards for your chance to win £1000 and be crowned a Wales social business champion. Open to Social Enterprise Businesses. The Social Business Wales Awards (previously branded as the Social Enterprise Awards Wales) celebrate the success and achievements of social enterprises and co-operatives in Wales. Now in their sixth year, the Awards recognise the most dynamic, entrepreneurial and ambitious social businesses in Wales – those which are expanding, diversifying, transforming and collaborating, and which are taking the sector forward through business growth. There two headline categories – Social Enterprise of the Year and One to Watch. For the first time, social enterprises can also enter five categories which are specific to the business sector they are trading in. The winners of all categories will be announced at an awards ceremony being held at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea on Wednesday 28th September. The winners of each category will then go on to compete against winners from Scotland, Northern Ireland and in the UK finals. The Awards application deadline is midnight on 8 July. For more information and to register for an application pack, just visit http://wales.coop/social-business-wales/awards/
Strictly Amazing Result
Kelly Whitefoot represented ITaSK CIC at the New Cottage Dance Centre in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly and helped raise an amazing £9,000. Strictly Top Dancer 2016 was a fun yet very competitive night and saw eight staff members from local companies in Caerphilly paired with professional dancers and challenged one and other in the name of charity. Kelly had to learn three dances for the competition, and gave up her time over a number of months in preparation for the dance event. Kelly helped raise funding for The Breast Centre in Llandough Hospital, a charity which helps patients through holistic therapy and fitness studios. The money was raised through sponsorship, donations, raffles and ticket sales, with the event attracting nearly 400 people across the weekend it was a brilliant event. Kelly and her dance partner finished a very respectable second and ITaSK are so very proud. ITaSKCIC work within Caerphilly community to identify needs, implement solutions, and measure impact over time. ITaSKCIC believe when communities work together to improve lives, the result is a permanent strengthening. Kelly Whitefoot said: This was an experience I will cherish and raising money for such a worthwhile charity was a pleasure
Ibiza meets Caerphilly – Social Enterprise of The Month
Social Enterprise GR Cleaning Services are playing hosts to two students from Ibiza as part of the Erasmus programme. Aitor Venteo Maya 23 and Ivan Verdra Jiminez 21 from the Secondary Education Institution IES Sa Blanca Dona in Ibiza are enjoying a 2 month work placement in Bedwas Caerphilly. Whilst here they will benefit from being based in a business as part of their Business Administration qualification and of course an opportunity to practice their English. GR Cleaning Services has been working with Coleg Cymoedd Nantgarw for over 6 years hosting students from Ibiza. They have also hosted work placements from other partner organisations. As a Social Enterprise – GR Cleaning Services has always been keen to offer work placements and work experience as part of social aims and objectives. GR Cleaning Services is a Caerphilly based Social Enterprise, established in 2009. Their aim is to provide a professional, high quality, valued-cleaning and facilities management service in an honest and socially responsible way. All their profits are ploughed back to ensure the continued employment of staff from within the local community. All the staff are members of the Social Enterprise so have say on how the company develops. They provide domestic, office and industrial site cleaning at outstanding affordable rates, some of their clients include Wales Co-operative, ISG and Encon. Istvan Racz Business Development Manager for GR Cleaning Services said: We are very proud of the fact that we are a Social Enterprise and invest in our staff providing them with employment and training opportunities. All our staff are members of the…
Launch of £1 Billion Support Programme for UK’s Co-operative Businesses – ‘The Hive’
Launched by Co-operatives UK, the Hive is a £1 billion business support programme designed to enable growth among the UK’s £37 billion co-operative economy. The initiative will help people who intend to start or grow co-operative or community enterprises, using various online resources, training and advice. http://www.uk.coop/the-hive/
X-Forces are Launching a Start-up Grant Scheme For Ex-Forces in Wales
X-Forces have developed a ex-forces and their families to assist with the journey to successful business ownership. HELPING YOU BE THE BEST IN BUSINESS We support ex-forces and their families to start up businesses by providing them with Loans, Mentoring and Support SERVICE LEAVERS : VETERANS : RESERVISTS : SPOUSES : FAMILY : CADETS Check out their website for more info: http://www.x-forces.com/your-business/exforces-business