Finalists revealed! Vote for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2016

3 Oct 2016

October is here. The weather’s worsening and the days are shortening. But fear not: we’re delivering you some sunshine to brighten your Monday morning.

Because the finalists for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 have just been announced!

And they need YOUR vote to be in with a chance of winning £10,000.

Take me to the voting page!

These five finalists have been selected from our Scale Up programme, part of the Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs.

More than 200 social entrepreneurs applied for the programme. Only 42 gained a place. They spent a year of toiling, tweaking plans and turbocharging their impact.

Just 10 social entrepreneurs made it through the award’s selection process to face a grilling in a Dragons’ Den-style panel.

The judges then picked five finalists to run for Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 – based on the impact they create, the growth they’ve achieved and the potential of their plans.

 Adam Annand, London Bubble (London)

adam-200-150Speech Bubbles is a playful, nurturing intervention that supports young children referred with a communication need. Speech Bubbles is a project from London Bubble, a company that makes theatre with its community. Discover Adam’s full story.

Vote for Adam

Carolyn Edwards, Genie In The Gutter (Liverpool)

carolyn-200-150This not-for-profit is a bridge-to-recovery service providing informed choices around drug and alcohol treatment to active substance misusers. It offers recovery, creativity and performance-based sessions. Discover Carolyn’s full story.

Vote for Carolyn

Donna Rowe-Green, Dig in North West (Lancashire)

donna-200-150  Dig In North West is a peer support to military veterans with mental injuries as a result of their service. It offers activities such as gardening, carpentry and photography as a means to grow confidence, reduce isolation and increase employability. Discover Donna’s full story.

Vote for Donna

Jay Stewart, Gendered Intelligence (London)

jay-200-150Gendered Intelligence’s mission is to increase understandings of gender diversity. It specialises in supporting young trans people. It delivers programmes and support for young people and carers, trans-awareness training and educational workshops. Discover Jay’s full story.

Vote for Jay

Sophie Unwin, Remade in Edinburgh (Edinburgh)

sophie-200-150Remade in Edinburgh is a multi-award-winning social enterprise. It teaches people how to repair household goods, runs upcycling workshops, sells repaired goods, and campaigns for zero waste. Discover Sophie’s full story.

Vote for Sophie