Simon Community Scotland, a social enterprise based in Glasgow, won the Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year at the UK Social Enterprise Awards last night.
The awards recognise excellence and innovation across 15 categories, in a gala ceremony hosted by national sector body Social Enterprise UK at the Roundhouse in Camden.
Simon Community Scotland, which tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness through community engagement, won the Scottish care social enterprise award last month and faced stiff competition from hundreds of entries to take home the overall UK prize.
The award recognises a social enterprise for whom the majority of their income comes from the public sector, and which delivers public services for central or local government, NHS, criminal justice or other statutory body.
The organisation supports over 7,000 people – with 300 staff, 140 volunteers and over 70 partners across Scotland – working with people living on the street, in temporary accommodation and in their own homes.
Upon winning the award, a spokesperson at Simon Community Scotland said: “This award is dedicated to our wonderful staff, who provide brilliant care every single day, and winning is a testament to what they do for so many people.”
Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose. There are an estimated 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing around 3.4% of national GDP while tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.
Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “The last year has been a difficult one for businesses across the UK, and it has been no different for social enterprises. The Awards were a real evening of hope and inspiration and brought home the sheer ingenuity, adaptability and determination of the social enterprise community, which has continued to deliver for the people and communities they work with and support.
“The winners include businesses which are breaking down barriers for groups marginalised in the workforce, organisations at the heart of local economies, and those finding innovative ways to tackle the climate crisis. The ever-growing movement of social enterprise truly represents business at its best. Congratulations to all of the winners and to Simon Community Scotland for their award.”
