Guest article – Groundwork North Wales
Groundwork North Wales has been recognised amongst the top 100 social enterprises in the UK in the NatWest SE100 Index 2024 for the 5th year running.
The NatWest SE100 Index was devised in 2010 by Pioneers Post and NatWest to recognise and reward the leading 100 social enterprises across the UK each year. The SE100 list this year was selected according to several different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues, with social enterprises assessed on areas including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.
Commenting on being recognised for the organisation’s achievements, Karen Balmer, Groundwork North Wales CEO, said: “Our congratulations go to all the finalists and to all organisations striving to make social and environmental change across the UK. We were thrilled to have been placed as one of the top 100 social enterprises in the UK for the fifth year running. This achievement is a testament to the great work that our teams are undertaking on a daily basis.”
Groundwork North Wales delivers positive impacts for People, Places and Planet, aiming to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and wellbeing challenges faced by disadvantaged members of society, which was reflected in the organisation’s entry into the awards.
Over the past year the charity has embarked on new initiatives and built upon its work to create greater impact, such as moving forward with plans to revitalise the heritage assets of the Clywedog Valley in Wrexham for the benefit of the local community, establishing new lunch club sessions for older people experiencing loneliness in Flintshire, and growing its training offer to reach a greater number and wider range of learners