European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
Cornwall social entrepreneurs celebrate achievements
On 12 February, the achievements of 15 of Cornwall’s social entrepreneurs were recognised at a celebration at the Eden Project. Each of the entrepreneurs has completed a year of tailored support and development for them and their organisations.
Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project and Patron of the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs (Cornwall SSE), was part of an audience that heard about the journeys of the first 15 people the school has supported, and about the organisations they have established through its inaugural programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund.
Smit said, "Social enterprise is, in my view, possibly the most important development in business over the last century. Its recognition of the wider needs of the community and environmental impacts of business as well as the responsible social role business should play give it great relevance in the emerging post recession world.
“The school is a vital addition to the capacity of Cornwall and we at Eden are proud to be supporters and are delighted to welcome them here for this their first graduation ceremony."
The social entrepreneurs come from diverse backgrounds and work on a wide range of different projects. Those graduating include:
Caroline Driver – established and runs Llamarama, a fair trade business, reducing poverty through bringing talented artisans’ products to profitable international markets;
Jane Yeoman - setting up ZOOP, a dynamic social enterprise promoting sustainable living to families with children under 5 years of age;
Jane Opie – has set up and leads Smart Savings, a locally-managed social enterprise providing professional and ethical financial services, particularly to disadvantaged communities, and with a specific focus on claims management; see www.smartsavings.org.uk
SSE Chief Executive Alastair Wilson said: “I am delighted to welcome these first Cornwall social entrepreneurs into the SSE Fellowship. They are true social entrepreneurs: driven by a social mission, which they pair with the entrepreneurial spirit and skills that allows them to change the lives of the people they work with and for. Congratulations to them all, and to all those who’ve made Cornwall SSE happen.”
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I warmly congratulate the first graduates from the Cornwall SSE, It has been very exciting to witness their individual journeys in turning their ideas into reality and working to make a positive change in their communities that they know so well.”
The Cornwall SSE is a partner in Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise, which is supported by ESF Convergence investment via Jobcentre Plus (DWP) and led by Cornwall Council. Cornwall SSE is managed through Cornwall Development Company.
For further information please contact: Sally Heard, Development Manager, Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs. 01726 223376/07866 239098