Shropshire organic farm lands major social enterprise award
An organic farm in Market Drayton has been named as one of the region’s shining lights in social enterprise.
Fordhall Community Land Initiative beat off significant competition to land the SEWM ‘Choose Social Enterprise’ SE planet Award with its innovative approach to growing the business and supporting educational visits to the site.
More than 70 people attended the Social Enterprise West Midlands event and heard how it regularly works with local schools to help promote the work of the farm and the positive environmental impact that comes form being ‘organic’
Melanie Mills, Chief Executive of SEWM, explained:
“The awards are a great way to celebrate Social Enterprise and highlight some of the outstanding work that is going on right across the West Midlands.
“All of the winners have very different business models, but all share the same ethos for delivering first class services and products whilst ensuring a positive social impact.”
She continued: “In Fordhall’s case this includes supporting local growers and farmers in a way that is commercially viable and at the same time environmentally friendly.”
Joining the Market Drayton enterprise on the podium was Worcester-based New Hope, who secured with the ‘SE people’ title for its work in supporting 39 families with disabled children.
Brew On, a micro brewery supplying the National Trust, was victorious in the ‘SE prima’ category whilst the Black Country’s IQS Travel beat off the challenge of 20 other social enterprises to win the ‘SE profit’ Award.
Fordhall Community Land Initiative’s Charlotte Hollins commented:
“It is very pleasing to be recognised for our work over the last twelve months and we will use the SE Award to really push the organisation on in the future.”
Christine Tate, Head of Corporate Responsibility at British Gas, was one of the judges. She added her support:
“This is the most inspiring regeneration project, making the best use of resources which would otherwise go to waste.
“The success of this is down to a dedicated community, working together to build and own a sustainable business, providing for the broad range of stakeholders involved as well as future generations.”
Supporters of the ‘Choose Social Enterprise Awards’ were Bromsgrove and District Housing Trust, British Gas, Big Issue Invest and PwC.
Social Enterprise West Midlands is a business network of over 400 members with a shared vision of growing the social enterprise sector.
It provides information, resources and networking opportunities for anyone interested in starting, developing or working with social enterprises.
For further information, please contact Sallie Ryan on 0845 450 7515 or email s.ryan@socialenterprisewm.org.uk
