Beyond Food CIC, a social enterprise based in London Bridge has won the Education, Training and Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year Award at the UK Social Enterprise Awards, held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London.
The national Awards, organised by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) recognises excellence and outstanding achievements by social enterprises, businesses set up to for a social purpose that reinvest or donate the majority of their profits to meet their mission. There are now nearly 80,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing £24 billion to the economy each year.
Beyond Food CIC delivers professional training programmes for adults who have experienced, or are at risk of, homelessness. Practical skills training takes place at their social enterprise restaurant, Brigade; a unique social enterprise restaurant which is part of Beyond Food Community Interest Company owned by PwC, and managed by hospitality specialist BaxterStorey. Beyond Food runs four inspirational programmes, including the United Kitchen Apprenticeship that helps disadvantaged members of the community back into work through skills development, training and one-to-one personal support.
Chef Founder, Simon Boyle, said: “The awards never fail to inspire me and it’s amazing to have so many fantastic social enterprises in one room. Not only are we delighted to have won the Education, Training and Jobs award, but it was an incredible experience for our apprentice chefs who worked alongside Bubble Foods to cater the event for over 400 people.”
The annual celebration of British social enterprises was hosted by comedian Aisling Bea who was joined onstage by SEUK patrons, actor Michael Sheen and director/comedian Chris Addison.
Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK said: “The UK Social Enterprise Awards are a real testament to the dynamism and diversity of the UK social enterprise sector. This year’s winners have included a social enterprise employing IT consultants who bring together the unique talents of people living with autism, coffee carts transforming the lives of those without a home, a film company opening up the creative industries to young people and even a social enterprise dental service working in some of the UK’s most challenging neighbourhoods.
“Social enterprises are continuing to prove that they’re a force to be reckoned with, they’re creating solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face and showing how business can and should be done.”
