Social entrepreneurs secure £300,000 to make a big impact

Jan. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- 20 inspirational pioneers with sustainable social ventures from across the UK have been awarded funding and support from UnLtd the foundation for social entrepreneurs, which will enable them to scale up and make positive change in their communities. These 20 Award Winners have each received £15,000 in funding. The difference they will make includes:

•   Developing software for patients to manage their long term conditions;
•   Working with young offenders to reduce reoffending rates  
•   Diverting surplus food to disadvantaged communities

Other Level 2 Award Winners include Simon Marcus from The Boxing Academy in London who provides an alternative to educational exclusion for disadvantaged young people aged 13-16; and Catherine Trillo from Lydia’s House in Newcastle works with homeless women to raise their self-esteem and restore a sense of purpose through training to restore furniture for the interior design industry. Paul Chatterton of LILAC (Low Impact Living Affordable Community) in Leeds has developed a member-led affordable and ecological cohousing community of 20 homes, with funding awarded from the Social Entrepreneurship programme in partnership with HEFCE. Darren Taylor of Eco System Computing in London was awarded funding from the BetterNet programme in partnership with the Nominet Trust, he works with 25 unemployed people to recycle IT equipment and office furniture, which is sold or donated to the local community and helps reduce the number of unwanted computers going to landfill.

Jo Hill, Head of Ventures at UnLtd said, “All these individuals have the same thing in common; they have the drive and determination to establish successful social ventures that are continuing to improve the lives of others by tackling issues head-on. The funding is just a small part of their development, we will be working with each individual over the next 12 months providing practical support, networking and mentoring opportunities to help them scale up the impact of their social ventures.”

Each Award Winner has received £15,000 as part of UnLtd’s Level 2 Awards programme, which includes partner support from HEFCE’s Social Entrepreneurship Awards and Nominet Trust’s BetterNet Awards. More information about the Award Winners and the Level 2 programme can be found at www.unltd.org.uk/level2  

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* All of these are successful UnLtd Level 2 Award Winners, stats taken from Award Winner PDF available at www.unltd.org.uk/level2

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UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. UnLtd resources over 1,300 individuals each year through its core Awards programme. The foundation operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resource; from awards of funding between £500 and £15,000 to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.