Latest News

North East Wales Social Enterprise Network Event a success

Published: 22/05/2019

Flintshire County Council and Social Business Wales delivered a social enterprise networking event in the County recently.

The North East Wales Social Business Knowledge Share & Networking Event, was organised jointly by the Council and Social Business Wales and was hosted by Hands Across Delyn CIC, a Flintshire based social enterprise which provides affordable meeting space for social purpose organisations.

The 45 people who attended the event enjoyed a interesting line-up of speakers, including Neil Ayling, Flintshire’s Chief Officer for Social Services, who talked about the social enterprise sector in Flintshire.

Glenn Bowen, Wales Cooperative Centre, delivered the results of a social enterprise mapping exercise carried out by the Centre through their Welsh Government and ERDF funded Social Business Wales support programme which is part of the Business Wales service.

Carol Williams, Business Wales, dispelled some of the myths relating to Making Tax Digital, the Government’s new system for collecting tax information from businesses within UK.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Derek Butler, said:

“As a local authority, we are proud of the contribution social enterprises are making to the economy and the impact they have on the lives of residents.”

Following an opportunity to network, presenters spoke on a range of topics including support organisations, social enterprises and private sector organisations working with social enterprise. There were also presentations from social enterprises such as Beyond The Boundaries CIC which offers meaningful work placements and training opportunities for young people with additional needs.  Jill Smith from Beyond the Boundaries said:

“I was asked to speak at the event to highlight the good work social enterprises are doing in Flintshire. The social enterprise sector in Flintshire is very vibrant and has an exciting future ahead.”

Following the event, Glenn Bowen said:

“It was great to see so many social enterprises sharing their knowledge and expertise and looking to trade together. It is clear that the social enterprise sector in Flintshire has a bright future.”

^{Left to right Martin Downes - UnLtd, Neil Ayling - FCC, Harriet Pugh - Tempo, Carol Williams – Business Wales, Mike Dodd – FCC, Jill Smith – Beyond the Boundaries, Simon Shaw – Eternal Community Media, Jacqui Cross – Wales Cooperative Centre, Glenn Bowen – Wales Cooperative Centre, Linzi Jones – Digital Communities Wales, Marcus Fair – Eternal Community Media, Deian ap Rhisiart – Digital Communities Wales}