Source via J4BCommunity Funding Newsletter :
The UK’s only telecommunications co-operative has been named the country’s best social enterprise.
The Phone Co-op saw off tough competition to be judged the overall winner of the Enterprising Solutions Awards and claim a £10,000 cash prize.
Now in their tenth year, the Awards are provided by the Social Enterprise Coalition in partnership with the Office for the Third Sector and aim to celebrate the UK’s most successful social and community enterprises.
The Phone Co-op won this year’s contest after impressing the judges in combining continued growth over ten years in a notoriously competitive sector with ethical and environmental policies. The company boasts a transparent pricing policy, has invested £25,000 in renewable energy projects, and has created two separate funds to support the growth of other social enterprises.
Their chief executive, Vivian Woodell, was “truly honoured” to accept the award.
She said:
“The Phone Co-op set out to prove that the co-operative model could be applied in an industry which is now a fundamental part of modern society. Our success and continued growth demonstrate that consumers and businesses alike are increasingly interested in using suppliers with a fair and sustainable approach to business.”
Three runners-up also received a £5,000 consolation prize – The Wise Group in Glasgow, NMC Design+Print in Winsford, Cheshire, and CEiS in Govan, Scotland.
Gillingham-based Sunlight Development Trust scooped the Best New Social Enterprise of the Year Award and also received a £5,000 prize, while Fyndoune Community College in Durham won £1,000 after topping the Social Enterprise in Schools category.
The college runs two social enterprises, one (Water Works) that has funded a well in Ghana through the sale of bottled water, and another (ePod) that encourages young people to work on allotments and sell produce from local farm shops.
Congratulating all the winners at a special awards ceremony held at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, newly appointed Minister for the Third Sector Kevin Brennan said:
“This year’s winners of the Enterprising Solutions Awards provide yet more inspiring examples of the innovative, often unique ways in which someone can make our country better by combining social drive with real business acumen.”
Jonathan Bland, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition, added:
“All of this year’s winners are a testament to what can be accomplished when innovation and responsible business are combined to deliver solutions to people and communities, something that today’s economy reminds us is absolutely essential.”
For more information about the competition, visit the special Enterprising Solutions Awards website (opens a new window)
Source: Social Enterprise Magazine, 21/10/2008
Filed under: National Stuff | Tagged: Phone Coop
