Brightwayz named finalist in ‘UK Social Enterprise Awards’ – recognising businesses which are transforming society. (Known locally as Brightkidz) who are Kettering based entrepreneurs they have just been announced as finalists in the prestigious UK Social Enterprise Awards
Brightwayz has been shortlisted in the UK Social Enterprise Award, recognising it as one of the leading social enterprises in the country.
Brightwayz, whose headquarters are based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, has today [23 August 2021] been unveiled as a finalist in the awards hotly contended Environmental category.
Founder Alison Holland commented: “This is incredible news and, with the UK set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow later this year, we are particularly proud to be a finalist in the environment category.
“Transport is the largest source of carbon emissions in the UK and addressing this by helping people adapt their daily travel habits is so important. Almost 500 social enterprises were considered by the judges, so we are over the moon to be unveiled as a finalist for the first time.“
Social enterprises are businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. There are 100,000 social enterprises in the UK contributing £60bn to the UK economy, each one being set up to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face from homelessness to the climate emergency.
The UK Social Enterprise Awards run by Social Enterprise UK, the national membership body for social enterprises, recognise the nation’s most pioneering social enterprises.
Brightwayz will be joining other shortlisted organisations at the prestigious awards ceremony held at London’s iconic Guildhall on 8 December.
Brightwayz, originally known as Brightkidz, was launched in 2004 after founder Alison Holland set up a ‘walking bus’ scheme at her son’s school and realised there was a need for information and resources to support walk to school schemes.
Brightwayz, as well as running projects and programmes, has a range of active travel campaign resources – including walk to school banners and stickers. 100% of profits are used to enable this social enterprise to carry out its work with schools, businesses, and organisations across the UK.
Another side of the organisation is brandmythingy.com, which sells customised promotional products to UK businesses. All the profits from this commercial arm of the organisation are fed back into supporting Brightwayz.
Commenting on the Awards, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK Peter Holbrook said: “The UK Social Enterprise Awards are back, bigger and better than ever before. We have had a record number of applications this year, all of which have showcased the strength, dynamism and resilience of the social enterprise community through what’s been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period.
“Over the course of the pandemic social enterprises have been going above and beyond the call of duty to support their teams, the individuals, and communities they work with, showing the grit, determination and innovation so inherent to this sector. They’ve been operating directly on the frontline of the crisis, launching new products and pivoting their business models to meet the needs of communities and society as a whole.
“The Awards are all about celebrating the achievements of the UK’s social enterprise movement, which is showing us that another way of doing business is possible – one which has never been more important as we look to build back better and address the climate emergency.”
Find out more Brightwayz here: www.brightwayz.co.uk
About Brightwayz
Brightwayz is a social enterprise committed to promoting safe, active, sustainable travel for everyday journeys. Active travel is all about encouraging people to walk, cycle or travel in other active ways to school, work, or other local destinations. Sustainable travel also includes using public and shared transport for longer journeys.
The social enterprise was launched in 2004 after founder Alison Holland set up a ‘walking bus’ scheme at her son’s school and realised there was a need for information and resources to support walk to school schemes. It has its headquarters near Kettering, North Northamptonshire, but works with schools, businesses, councils, and organisations across the country.
Brightwayz provides information and resources such as signage and incentives to support workplace and community active travel campaigns for adults.
Brightkidz is the sister brand which is funded through sales of its active travel campaign resources such as walk to school banners and stickers. 100% of profits are used to enable the social enterprise to do its work with schools, businesses, and organisations across the UK.
About social enterprises
Social enterprises are businesses which trade for a social purpose that reinvest or donate over half their profits to further this social or environmental mission. They are an increasingly important part of the UK economy contributing £60 billion and employing 2 million people. Estimates are there are 100,000 in the UK. Research carried out by Social Enterprise UK, the membership body for the sector, shows they are outperforming traditional businesses when it comes to start-up rates, turnover growth and innovation. They are also ahead of the pack when it comes to workforce diversity and pay. For more information and statistics see Social Enterprise UK’s State of Social enterprise Report 2019 and the ‘Hidden Revolution’ report which showed the true scale and impact of the sector.
About Social Enterprise UK
Social Enterprise UK is the largest network of certified social enterprises in the UK and the leading global authority on social enterprises. Together with our members we are the voice for the sector. We have led public policy for 15 years, helping pass the Social Value Act, and are a strategic partner to government. We exist to increase the profile of the sector through our campaigns and research, and build the markets for our members – working with some of the UK’s biggest companies to support them to bring social enterprises into their supply chains. Our members reflect the diversity of the sector ranging from local grass-roots organisations to multi-million-pound businesses. We see social enterprise as the future of business.
