Three Highland winners at annual Social Enterprise Awards Scotland
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A trio of businesses and organisations working in the Highlands have been honoured at this year's Social Enterprise Awards Scotland.
Groups from the Highlands scooped three of the nine titles when the awards were announced at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
The top prize, Social Enterprise of the Year 2023, was awarded to the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company.
It owns and operates the last manually operated turntable ferry in existence, from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea on Skye. All profits are reinvested into preserving the historic vessel, ensuring the sustainability of the ferry service, and supporting other local community groups and events.
The One to Watch Award 2023 winner was Àban, which provides innovative and adventurous learning experiences in schools and communities in Inverness. It helps get the community out on positive adventures right on their doorstep meaning every penny raised goes to support their local charitable work.
And the third Highland honour – a brand new category for 2023 – was the Tech for Good Award, which was won by Red Chair Highland.
Red Chair Highland Ltd focuses on Digital Inclusion services across the Highlands. It aims to improve digital inclusion, and overall wellbeing and reduce isolation for vulnerable individuals including older adults, those on benefits, those recently released from prison, those suffering from substance misuse, refugees, and those experiencing homelessness.
The awards, organised by Social Enterprise Scotland, recognise excellence and outstanding achievements by social enterprises – businesses that reinvest their profits for social and environmental good – that demonstrate they’re improving and building a better economy and fairer society.
With a total of nine categories open to all social enterprises that operate in Scotland or individuals who work/volunteer in Scotland, the awards present an opportunity to showcase the very best of the sector.
Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland, said: “From tackling the climate emergency to reducing homelessness, social enterprises are taking on some of the biggest challenges we face, using trade to change lives and protect the planet.”
“The quality, variety, and mix of social enterprises who applied for this year’s Awards were of a high standard making it a very difficult judging process. Thank you to all the previous winners and sponsors who methodically looked at every application.
"We were delighted by the volume of applications which were almost back to pre-pandemic levels, showing that social enterprises are weathering the storms of Covid and a cost-of-living crisis to deliver impact in their local communities.”
More information can be found at www.socialenterprise.scot/awards.
