What’s a Social Enterprise?

A social enterprise is also known as “not–for–profit” as profits are used to further social and environmental goals rather than distributed to financial investors.

Our current social economy/enterprises are:

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNCILS

re:store has close partnerships with councils in Belfast, Larne, North Down and Antrim.  Working with the councils to reduce goods from landfill, re:store has a van dedicated to collecting bulky waste from recycling centres at various locations.  The items are either taken directly to the re:store shops to be sold, or they are taken to re:furb for a “make–over” before being sold through re:store.  This partnership means that as a social economy project, re:store can work towards achieving their environmental goals.

EBM’s Social Economy project wins another award!!

Ulster Bank Launch 18th annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’

EBM’s Business Development Director Anne Walsh and Finance Director Neil Morris attended the Ulster Bank Awards Breakfast on Thursday 26^th January 2012.

The ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’ recognises business success, irrespective of offering, size, sector or location. The awards, now in their 18th year, are in association with the Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland, Inter TradeIreland and Invest NI.

Companies are judged on a variety of merits including financial performance, company milestones and achievements, future strategy for the business and development of innovative products and services.

Entries for the 2011 awards were open to businesses across all sectors and businesses could enter themselves in up to two of eight categories:

1. Innovation & Emerging Technology Award
2. International Business Award
3. Social Entrepreneurship Award
4. Best Business Start–up Award
5. Family Run Business Award
6. Green Business Award
7. Agriculture, Food & Drink Award
8. Service Business Award

East Belfast Mission’s Social Economy project became a Provincial award winner in the Social Entrepreneurship category and Anne and Neil were thrilled with the presentation.

Provincial award winners will go on to compete in their respective categories at an all–island awards ceremony in Dublin in April 2012 where one category winner will also be crowned overall ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011’.

The 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achiever will receive a comprehensive reward package including a publishing bursary with the Irish Independent, business mentoring, a full service communications workshop, as well as much positive national and regional PR coverage.

Declan Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Business Banking, Ulster Bank said, “The 2010 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards received a record number of entries. Despite ongoing economic difficulties, success stories are stemming from businesses across all sectors throughout the island of Ireland. The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards was established to acknowledge business success and reward companies who have displayed exceptional determination and innovation whilst battling to stay ahead of their competitors. These businesses are an exceptional example to others and their achievements must be recognised.”

For further information go to www.businessachieversaward.com

EAST BELFAST MISSION WINS THE AISLING AWARD FOR BELFAST’S BEST BUSINESS 2011

The Belfast Media Group Aisling Award took place in the Europa Hotel Belfast on Thursday 17^th November 2011 for the 15^th consecutive year. 

On behalf of EBM, Business Director Anne Walsh was nominated by local East Belfast community activist Maurice Kinkead.  He talked of her unstoppable attitude and her inspiration and gusto to “make things happen”.

EBM were up against some tough competition including Mourne Seafood Restaurant, Intune Networks and Malone Lodge Hotel & Macklin Group Care Homes.  It was with great surprise and delight that Anne and Cathy Megahey (PR & Business Development Manager) collected the award for EBM.  Anne said, “we are delighted and amazed to have won such an award.  We work very hard within the East Belfast community and beyond to deliver our projects and services and we never expect to get anything back.  We are very committed and just enjoy what we do.  But to receive such an award means our work is valued and others can see the good we are doing and that is fantastic and drives us to work even harder”.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was guest of honour at the awards and had earlier visited the EBM premises on the Newtownards Road.  He met with local people from both communities including schololchildren.  He had a lot of praise for the organisation during his introductory speech at the awards.

CLOTHING BANKS

10 clothing banks are in place at several of the Methodist Churches across Belfast and outlying areas.  The congregation at these churches very readily donate clothes and other items into the banks and these are collected, sorted and sent to the re:store shops.  PR & Business Development Manager at EBM, Cathy Megahey said “this is a valuable source of stock for our clothes shops.  Stock is becoming more and more scarce as people hold onto items longer – probably due to the economic climate – so we really appreciate the churches who continue to support EBM and the work the organisation does”.

re:store works in partnership with Bryson Charitable Group selling reconditioned white goods i.e. cookers, fridges, tumble dryers etc.  All goods carry a 6 month guarantee  and can be delivered to your home at a time convenient to you and for a small transport cost.

re:store has been working in partnership with Bryson for several years now and 7 of our 9 shops sell their goods.  When possible, we will collect your donated white goods, even if faulty and pass them onto Bryson for recycling.  Please contact your nearest re:store shop for more information.