Voting open for Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2015
28 Sep 2015
We are delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The finalists are among the most promising social entrepreneurs in the country, and have benefitted from being part of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Scale Up Programme over the past year.
Over 230 entrepreneurs applied for the 42 places on the Programme and the finalists have beaten off tough competition from their peers to be in contention for the award, coming with the top prize of £10,000.
Marta Zukowska, Project Officer for the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme at the School for Social Entrepreneurs, said:
“Since the Programme began in 2012 we have been astounded by the quality of the entrepreneurs coming through our door. The Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award gives us a chance to put a spotlight on the most impressive entrepreneurs, celebrating people who are doing amazing things to better communities and lives. Each of the five finalists would be deserving winners, having shown great innovation and huge amounts of entrepreneurial spirit to help address real needs in society.”
The finalists
Nick Green, West Yorkshire. Incredible Farm: A community enterprise producing food with minimal impact on the environment while at the same time teaching young people about small scale commercial food growing.
Michelle King, Peterborough. Little Miracles: An enterprise that supports families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions. Little Miracles supports over 1,500 families and 5,000 children.
Simon Short, Grimsby. Inspiring Intelligence: Helps those released from prison overcome their social and economic difficulties by offering training and support, delivered by reformed offenders.
Jem Stein, London. The Bike Project: Provides second-hand bikes to refugees in and around London. By attending workshops and helping to fix their own bike, all refugees get actively involved in the process as much as possible, teaching them basic bike maintenance and forming long-term supportive relationships.
Caroline Tomlinson, Wigan. My Life: Supports children and adults with disabilities, people with ill-health or age-related problems as well people who generally feel lonely or isolated within their communities. Workshops, meeting areas, outings, fun days and training opportunities are provided as part of the programme to combat loneliness through community activity