Ferndale based social enterprise, The Fern Partnership, is this year’s Education, Training and Jobs category winner at the 2019 Social Business Wales Awards, having won at last night’s (24th September) ceremony in Llandudno. They were selected for their community delivery over the past 4 years, supporting over 1000 participants aged 16+ to become employment ready and access accredited/non-accredited training and education.
The Fern Partnership was one of six businesses to take home a coveted sector award, presented by Wynne Evans at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Founded in 2008, the organisation aims to enhance provision in schools in the Rhondda Valley as well as offering services and support to the wider community and beyond. In the past 12 months they have supported 250 people in the community to become employment ready, helping them to identify their skills, knowledge and experience, and build self-esteem.
The award was given for their continued approach to providing high quality childcare and community services including employment support, social development, training and work experience opportunities.
Winners from the Social Business Wales Awards will go on to compete on a national level at the Social Enterprise UK Awards.
The Social Business Wales Awards recognise the excellence of social enterprises, co-operatives and employee-owned businesses in Wales. There are currently 2,022 social businesses across the country that contribute an estimated £3.18bn to Wales’ economy.
The Social Business Wales Awards are run as part of Social Business Wales, a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government as part of the Business Wales service. It is delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre.
Derek Walker, Wales Co-operative Centre CEO, said “The quality of nominees this year was outstanding. It is so important that we recognise the hard work of these social businesses and the impact they have on our society.
“On behalf of all of us at the Wales Co-operative Centre, we want to congratulate all of the worthy winners and wish them luck as they head to the Social Enterprise UK Awards.”
And the Social Business Wales Awards winners are…
Aura Leisure, Deeside, Wales Social Enterprise of the Year Award
The Community Impact Initiative, Bridgend, One to Watch Award
Aura Leisure, Deeside, Consumer Facing Social Enterprise Award
Awel Aman Tawe, Swansea, Environmental Social Enterprise Award
Down To Earth Project, Swansea, Health and Social Care Enterprise Award
Innovate Trust, Cardiff, Tech for Good: Technology in Social Enterprise Award
The Fern Partnership, Ferndale, Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise Award
The 2019 event was sponsored by NatWest, Legal and General, BIC Innovation, Acuity Law, Cowshed Communication, Doopoll and Social Investment Cymru.
