Support your local community and buy social on Saturday 14 October
At midnight on Sunday 15 October, the old pound coin will cease to be used and Social Business Wales is challenging people in South East Wales to spend their last coins consciously and buy social on Saturday 14 October.
Social Saturday 14 October is a day to shout about social businesses and the amazing work they do in their communities, which includes helping people back in to employment to making an environmental impact.
Social Business Wales is challenging customers to support the social businesses local to them, from enjoying breakfast in a socially minded café in Aberdare or exploring the history of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park to making insect craft with the kids in Cynon Valley or enjoying a film in Wales’s oldest cinema in Brynmawr.
Social Business Wales has created routes for each of the four corners of Wales which people can follow throughout the day to enjoy an entire day out supporting a good cause.
Comedian Rhod Gilbert is backing the campaign and said: “This Social Saturday, we’re challenging you to unleash your spending power with social businesses local to you – cafes, shops, leisure facilities, wildlife centres, cinemas and pubs, you’ll be surprised how many are on your doorstep.
“When you ‘Buy Social’ on Saturday 14 October, your money is reinvested to support a social or environmental cause like getting people back into work and reducing poverty. Social businesses are changing the way the world does business, so help us celebrate this year.”
Social businesses differ from other businesses as the profits they make are reinvested to support a social or environmental cause, from creating local jobs and training opportunities to delivering renewable energy solutions and preventing tonnes of waste going to landfill. The sector is worth £2.37bn to the Welsh economy and employs over 40,000 people with the help of 50,000 plus volunteers.
Social Saturday was started in Wales in 2013 by the Wales Co-operative Centre to celebrate these businesses and has gone on to become a UK wide initiative. In Wales, it is now run by the Centre through the Social Business Wales project, with funding from Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund.
For more information on how you can support Social Saturday on 14 October and to find a social enterprise near you, visit socialsaturday.wales
A social Saturday out in South East Wales
South East Wales
Fair Do’s, Cardiff CF11 9NJ
Enjoy a free chocolate tasting session at this Fairtrade shop selling ethical produce and crafts.
Malpas Court Market, Newport NP20 6AD
Open 11am -3pm offering local produce, crafts and chocolate tasting.
Cafe Cwtch, Aberdare CF44 7PT
Community cafe and restaurant nestled in the heart of Dare Valley Country Park.
Cyfarthfa Castle & Park, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8RE
The most impressive monument of the Industrial Iron Age in South Wales.
Redhouse Cymru, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AE
Arts and creative centre in the Old Town Hall hosting a special event with comedian Mark Watson.
Bedwellty House and Park, Tredegar NP22 3NA
Enjoy an afternoon tea in a vibrant and historic venue.
Reseiclo, Newport NP20 5NH
10% discount of any purchases of recycled and reused wood and household items made by trainees.
Malpas Court, Newport NP20 6AD
Local food and produce at this market open 11am – 3pm.
Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, Ebbw Vale NP23 6GL
Enjoy a swim or gym session and visit the venues across the county.
Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare CF44 8DL
Kids craft £1 – make some insects and scare your family on site of 19th century Gadlys Ironworks.
Morlais Golf Club, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2UY
Challenge your friends to a game and reward yourselves with a drink and a meal at the restaurant.
Market Hall Cinema, Brynmawr NP23 4AJ
Enjoy a blockbuster with tickets only £3.50 on the day at Wales’ oldest cinema.
