Social enterprise stars recognised for efforts

Mindful Gifts, a company that provides appropriate gifts and activities for dementia sufferers, and REPC, a specialist in the safe disposal and recycling of unwanted IT equipment and furniture, were among the main winners at the Social Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM)-backed event.

They were joined by Geoff Walker, who beat off tough competition to secure the SE Aspire Award for his work in driving the development of Sandwell Community Caring Trust.

The CEO has been a long-term supporter of the sector and recently secured £4.2m of investment from Unity Trust Bank and Big Issue Invest to buy new care home facilities for his organisation.

Melanie Mills, chief executive of SEWM, said: "Our sector is experiencing significant growth and is increasingly being viewed as an important economic driver…it is only right that we recognise the organisations, enterprises and individuals that are making it happen.

"More than 150 people attended the awards evening held at the University of Birmingham, who kindly gave us the venue to host the event. They listened to stories of expansion, innovation, passion, community spirit, employee development and outstanding business performance from our 12 winners."

She added: "Their stories will hopefully inspire other Black Country entrepreneurs and organisations to embrace the social movement. People are sitting up and taking notice of the sector and that can only be good news."

Sponsored by Mears Group, the evening's other winners included:

• Blu Rocket Design (SE Partner) – Design agency with a strong pro-bono mentality

• Class Careers (SE Passion) – Connecting young people with enhanced education and early stage career opportunities

• Cllr Faye Abbott (SE Inspire) – Coventry City Council's Portfolio Holder has been driving its journey to become a social enterprise city

• Creative Alliance (SE Profit) – A leading provider of learning opportunities for young people getting into the creative sector

• Elizabeth Barker (SE Professional) – Devised specialist support package for RBS Flying Project

• John Taylor Hospice (SE Prima) – A provider of palliative care in Birmingham City Centre for more than 100 years

• Lingo Links (SE People) – Providing translation services to marginalised communities to reduce isolation

SEWM also recognised Stephen Holmes of HMP Stoke Heath for his outstanding contribution to social enterprise.

The final award on the evening went to the Signing Tree Conference Centre for its Social Saturday promotional video that has become a viral sensation.

Mindful Gift's director Vikki Phipps said: "I'm delighted to be recognised at the SE Awards, not least because it means we have achieved some of our objectives and started to make a real difference to adults with dementia and mental health issues.

"As a small business any promotion we can get is always gratefully received and will hopefully spread the message even further about the type of gifts we offer at www.mindfulgifts.co.uk." Social Enterprise West Midlands is the leading business network and consultancy for social enterprise in the region. The membership-led organisation offers access to expert consultancy, advice and guidance, as well as a series of event and workshops designed to educate, inform and promote a sector that is worth more than £35m locally.

It also offers event management support and was instrumental - with its parent company The Aspire Group - in the launch of www.buysocialdirectory.org.uk, the UK's first social business directory.

The SE Awards were backed by a host of sponsors, including Adullam Homes, Amey, Anthony Collins Solicitors, Aspire Group, DiSE, Enterprise Foundation, Lister Trade Frames, PwC, Sustainability West Midlands and UnLtd.

For further information visit www.socialenterprisewm.org or follow @_sewm on twitter