West Leeds social enterprises win top regional awards

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bramley baths pool web
Much-loved: Edwardian Bramley Baths is Grade II Listed.

Two West Leeds social enterprises have won top accolades at the annual Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber (SEYH) awards.

Community led Bramley Baths secured the Social Impact award for its work with the community, while Burley-based Revive Leeds grabbed the Environmental award.

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber is based on Bradford Road, Stanningley, and is a not-for-private-profit organisation established to represent, promote and drive forward the development of the social enterprise sector. 

Judges praised Bramley Baths, which has been community led since 2013, for building its programme of health-related activities by listening to the local community, enabling a high level of social engagement. Judges said:

“The judges thought there was clear social impact that was evidenced by a great mix of measuring and reporting processes along with varied evidence types.  Good involvement with customers and local partners. Great that the feedback from the evaluation is introduced into their business plan and there is a clear commitment for continued measurement.”

david wilford bramley baths
Thumbs up: Bramley Baths Chief Executive David Wilford. Photo: Bramley Baths

The award was welcomed by Bramley Baths chief executive David Wilford. He said:

“The secret of our success is working closely with our community and being responsive to the extensive feedback from our community surveys. We encourage constant customer involvement in developing new services.

“We are committed to providing excellent services for our customers. We have a very talented and well-trained staff team who strive to do the best for everyone.”

The historic Baths, based on Broad Lane in Bramley, since 1904, were also a finalist in The Social Investment Award.

Revive Leeds rescues things normally destined for the rubbish heap – and received the Environmental Award.

Judges heard the Community Interest Company is based off Evanston Avenue and also has an outlet in Seacroft. It processed 710 tonnes of reused good during 2019-2020, which is the equivalent of 1.3m items. 11,168 volunteer hours were undertaken.

Winner: Revive Leeds can be found off Kirkstall Road.

Judges said:

“The judges commented that not only is this social enterprises successful, it measures its environmental impact very well. 

“They also loved the fact that they are engaging with schools and educating others.”

Other awards included Social Enterprise of the Year, which was won by The Sleep Charity; the Start Up award was awarded to UK Counselling Network; Ilkley Community Enterprise netted the Social Investment Award; The Tech for Good Award was awarded to Family Fund Business Services; and the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Liza Kellett.

SEYH supports existing and developing social enterprises in the Yorkshire and Humberside area, who are driven to tackle important social and environmental issues.

The Annual SEYH Awards, which were held virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, recognise and celebrate these organisations, and showcase the breath of work being done in the social enterprise sector in the region.

Manager Ali Ward said:

“We strongly believe that whilst we cannot come together like we did last year, we need to celebrate the amazing achievements of our sector throughout 2020.

“Social Enterprises are a major force for good in our communities and throughout the pandemic they have gone above and beyond to support their communities. We have been blown away by what some of the nominees have achieved in very difficult circumstances.

“The awards recognise organisations and individual entrepreneurs who play an important in tackling issues such as employment, reuse, health, wellbeing and food poverty locally.”

Awards were designed by Kirkstall Road-based social enterprise Seagulls.

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