Write a commentOver Fifty social entrepreneurs from across Newry, Mourne and Down district gathered at Finegan & Son in Newry to celebrate the success of social enterprise in the district. They were all participants on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council funded, Social Enterprise Newry, Mourne Down programme. As part of the evening a Social Entrepreneur of the year award was presented to Rosemary McGuigan Deans from Centred Soul.
The social entrepreneurs heard Council Chairperson Mark Murnin congratulate them on how Social Enterprises makes an important and unique contribution to the local economy of the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.
How they have created jobs for people who would otherwise be left out; provided vital services for people who might not get them otherwise, they were reinvesting their surpluses back into community projects and protecting the environment.
There are well over 100 organisations in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area involved at some level in social enterprise activity.
The programme of start up support was delivered by Newry & Mourne Co-Operative & Enterprise Agency in partnership with Down Business Centre. Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive praised the staff of both agencies for successful delivery of the programme and the tremendous social and economic impact it had. Dr Patterson reserved his warmest comments for the social entrepreneurs and the volunteers from their organisations who were making a real and sustainable impact improving the lives many people in the district.
The programme delivered over 1000 hrs of mentoring to individuals mentored from over 50 organisations. 11 new social enterprise companies were set up this year creating 15 new jobs and 60 new volunteers. The programme also levered in an additional £721,000 of financial support to new social enterprises. But most importantly over 1,500 are receiving a service where no service previously existed.
Some examples of the work of the social enterprises:
- Horticultural therapy to keep older people mentally and physically fit.
- Affordable, accessible counselling for those in crisis
- Meaningful employment and training for those with additional needs
- Fitness programmes to help women cope with the menopause
- Helping new mums with breast feeding support
- Providing workspace & routes to market for young creative makers in the Mournes
- Helping children get the best start in life
- Supporting mums and dads cope with perinatal mental health and birth trauma.
- ... and of course our Newry.ie Website!
