Europe minister Glenys Kinnock receives the social enterprise gift from Tony Carr, director at Blackpool Enterprise Community Interest Company
Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock received an unusual souvenir after her meeting with social enterprise chiefs in Blackpool when Tony Carr, Director of Blackpool Enterprise Community Interest Company, presented the baroness with a belt made of recycled fire hose.
He also briefed the minister on the outstanding growth of the Social Enterprise sector in Blackpool – one of the most successful and vibrant in the country.
She heard how European funding had helped create the project 'Social Enterprise Solutions' – a specialist advisory service to individuals, companies and organisations.
Tony said: “It was a very useful meeting. The minister was clued up on the social enterprise model and the work we have been doing.
“I was able to explain in more detail how Social Enterprise Solutions has supported Third Sector organisations and individual social entrepreneurs to become self-sustaining organisations.”
And the belt? It was created by social enterprise E&KO, which reclaims and re-engineers industrial waste.
Tony said: “We thought it was an apt gift, illustrating the 'triple bottom line' of finances, social and environmental. The minister was delighted with it.”
The company has advised and supported more than 100 social enterprises and organisations and now works with North West universities on social enterprise issues.
New figures reveal the sector already generates £2billion for the North West economy, employs 50,000 members of staff and utilises the resources of 30,000 volunteers. Social Enterprise covers a range of business models working for the benefit of the community, including co-operatives, community interest companies and development trusts.
...as Susan Boyle might have sung. On SocialEnterpriselive.com this week:
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