Ulster Unionist Councillor David Arthurs is about to embark on a two-week tour of some of Northern Ireland’s best Social Enterprises. The tour which will take place from Monday 30th July until Saturday 11th August will see the Ballyclare Councillor take in some of Northern Ireland’s best Social Enterprise Businesses and organisations.
Councillor Arthurs said:
“My passion for this sector came about around October time last year I attended a few events hosted by Social Enterprise NI, the representative body for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland.
“The story and the message the sector has to offer is fantastic and the ‘Social Value’ and ‘Social Impact’ it has on people’s lives is amazing. Social Enterprise is like any other business in that it works to deliver goods and services to make a profit. The difference is that they are driven by their social and environmental purposes and any profit made is reinvested towards achieving these purposes”.
“It’s a very exciting time for the Social Enterprise Sector here in Northern Ireland and I am only too happy to promote the fantastic work they do and the events they run, I have been working closely with Social Enterprise NI team who continue to promote their members and the sector on a daily basis”. “As a local elected representative, I feel it’s important we continue to support the work being done by Social Enterprise NI and to support the push for a Social Value Act here in Northern Ireland, with me going on this tour I hope it will highlight some of the great work being done by Social Enterprises right across Northern Ireland” “Also the timing of my tour will be right on the heels of Social Summer 2018.
“#SocialSummer2018 will be running from 1st June to 31st August and is a digital road trip showcasing social enterprises and community businesses you can visit over the summer months from adventure centres and leisure centres to Zoos, skate parks and community owned pubs and cafes.
“Social Enterprise NI working with Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise Scotland, the Wales Co-operative Centre and Power to Change, the independent trust that supports and develops community businesses in England, to shine a spotlight on those businesses which are changing lives and their communities whilst being a whole lot of fun to visit!
“The Northern Ireland leg of Social Summer begins on 28th June and runs for 23 consecutive days until 20th July for more information on each of the social enterprises in Northern Ireland go to www.socialenterpriseni.org/news/SocialSummer2018
“This campaign has inspired me to go out and visit a range of social enterprises. I am really excited about this tour and I’ve had a really great response from Social Enterprises wanting me to come visit.
“You can follow my #SocEntTourNI on my Twitter @cllr_arthurs” some of the social enterprises that I am visiting include, Loaf Pottery and Café, Crawfordsburn, Acceptable Enterprises, Larne, Employers for Childcare, Lisburn, USEL’s Ability Café, Belfast and many more.”