Social Enterprise UK

Defence-driven growth is key to Plymouth's future, but what role can social enterprises play in making sure it delivers for communities? And how do we, as a movement of businesses set up to do good, deal with the deep moral questions that are raised by working with the defence industry? Explore these questions in this new blog from our Director of Research and Policy Emily Darko.

🎉 It’s already been nearly a week since the UK Social Enterprise Awards and we’re still buzzing! What an evening it was, celebrating the incredible achievements of the social enterprise movement. ⭐ Congratulations again to all our winners and a big thank to all our sponsors who made it all possible: Amazon Business, Barclays, The Connectives, Community Shop, Corps Security, our patron David Gold, The Diversity Forum, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Expert Impact Speakers, GLL, Good Finance UK, Freshfields, Fusion21, Keegan & Pennykid (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, Landmarc Solutions, Linklaters, Mitie, Local Supply Chain/Social Partnership Portal, and PwC 🎵 The Southbank Centre was transformed into a Festival of Hope, brought to life by the brilliant talent of our house band, the Aston Performing Arts Academy, bestselling poet Hussain Manawer, multi-genre violinist J Hope and the sounds of South London Samba. Of course, a huge thanks must also go to our superb host -  the legend that is Sara Pascoe! The Awards wouldn’t be the Awards without social enterprises at their heart, and we were proud to once again have a social enterprise supply chain incorporating everything from the drinks and trophies to the event management and photography. Thank you to Hatch Films CIC, The Workshop Aberfeldy, Harrogate Chocolate Factory, Half the Story, Cola Gaza, Signalise Co-op., Amplify Goods, Belu, Fuse Events, and Tap Social Movement who also took home the trophy for Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year! Find out more about this year’s winners in the link in the comments  

Read more about what was a wonderful night of hope, community, joy and inspiration in this piece from Pioneers Post. #SocEntAwards25

Wow, what a night! The UK Social Enterprise Awards 2025 have now come to a close, and we’re delighted to announce this year’s winners! 🎉 Change Please – UK Social Enterprise of the Year ⭐ EcoCoach CIC – One to Watch Award ♻️ Waste to Wonder Worldwide – Prove It: Social Impact Award 🏢 CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Global Workplace Solutions  - ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award 💷 WCVA | CGGC, The Community Impact Initiative C.I.C. and Tai Heulwen -Social Investment Deal of the Year 🪥 Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise - Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year 🫒 Zaytoun - Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year 🥳 Social Enterprise Kent - Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year 🌳 The Skill Mill - Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year  💰 The Tax Academy CIC - Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion & Justice Award 🎉 Hannah Oyewole, Young Ladies Club - Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year ℹ️ Centre for Information Resilience CIC - International Impact Award 🍻 Tap Social Movement - Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year 🚑 City Health Care Partnership CIC - Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year ⭐ Nimbus Disability - Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise of the Year Congratulations to you all! This year’s Awards really were a Festival of Hope, and through your work changing lives, empowering communities, driving innovation, and protecting our planet, you really show the power and impact of the social enterprise movement! Find out more about our winners in the link in the comments. #SocEntAwards25

Lights, camera, action! The UK Social Enterprise Awards ceremony has begun. Comedian and TV sensation Sara Pascoe is hosting this year’s show alongside our house band the Aston Performing Arts Academy, bestselling poet Hussain Manawer, violinist J Hope, the South London Samba Band, and the social enterprise legend Jennifer Ogole! Not long now till we find out who our winners are #SocEntAwards25

It’s all happening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, as the Southbank Centre has been transformed into the Festival of Hope for this year’s UK Social Enterprise Awards. The guests are here, the networking is buzzing, and the show will be starting shortly. Check in later and see which of our amazing shortlist have taken home the trophies! We also announced the recipients of this year’s Social Enterprise UK Fellowship, recognising those who have been instrumental in growing the social enteprise movement. Congratulations Dr Navjot Sawhney Tracey M. Janet Schofield CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) David Adair FICRS Douglas Westwater Gareth Hart Gary Stott and Andrea Wayman! #SocEntAwards25

Join us on 2 December for the final 2025 online session of the Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). Hosted by Baroness Glenys Thornton, the event will bring together representatives from across the four nations of the UK to discuss how different policies are shaping the social enterprise sector. You'll hear from Cwmpas, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, and Social Enterprise Scotland, alongside speakers from each of the nation’s Cross-Party Parliamentary Groups, including Chair of the APPG, Patrick Hurley MP. Sign up using the link in the comments 

☃️ Ditch Black Friday and Buy Social instead! This year, save yourself the tears and buy something special using our Social Enterprise Gift Guide, containing presents from across our membership of businesses trading for people and planet. 🎁 From classic Christmas socks to gym membership, you'll find gifts across price ranges and categories, each one containing a story of lives changed, barriers broken down, and second chances made. 🎄 Get shopping using the link in the comments

Yesterday on #SocialEnterpriseDay, our CEO Peter Holbrook CBE took part in a brilliant event hosted by GLL to mark the day and launch their brand new Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme. It's great to see one of the UK's leading large people-powered social enterprises supporting smaller businesses grow, develop and thrive. Find out more about the event and the accelerator in the link in the comments below.

🥳 Today is #SocialEnterpriseDay, a day to celebrate the impact and achievements of the global social enterprise movement. But what exactly is a social enterprise anyway? 🌍 In every corner of the world, there are social enterprises changing lives, driving innovation and showing us that another way of doing business is possible. 📣 If you’re a social enterprise, comment below and spread the word about what you do, the impact you create and the difference you make. Let’s make some noise!