The awards recognise businesses that give back, enrich communities and make a contribution to society, as well as those who lead them – the social entrepreneurs who use their business acumen to tackle some of the world’s growing social and environmental problems.
This year, we’re delighted to support the Consumer Facing Award which goes to a successful, growing social enterprise with a clearly defined brand and social mission that delivers a product or service to the public.
And with that in mind, the decision falls on you, the public, to choose who you think should walk away with the award at the glitzy and glamorous awards ceremony in central London on November 23.
To help you on your way to making your mind up – we’re looking at some of the shortlisted nominees and how their work is changing the world for the better.
Last year’s winners – From Babies with Love is more than just a baby brand; it donates 100 per cent of its profits to supporting orphaned and abandoned children around the world. The design-led and ethically sourced range of products allow kids to grow up in loving family homes, ensuring that every child has a fair start in life, no matter where they’re born. Speaking to style-conscious and ethically minded parents, From Babies with Love use innovative design to create stunning unique products with environmental and social impacts in mind.
After being nominated for the award for a second year, founder Cecilia spoke about her inspiration behind the brand:
“I’m half-Brazilian and although I grew up in Britain we did have a lot of family holidays abroad, as a child myself I saw children living on the streets of Rio – so inequality and the nature of it have always been something I’ve been aware of and it sparked an interest in international development for me.”
From Babies with Love have an exclusive range of products available in The Big Issue Shop to mark the awards
What if socks could change the world? The question Stand 4 Socks founder Josh Turner asked back in 2015. Now, the colourful socks have a tangible impact on 12 global causes in nine different causes across the world – all from socks! For every pair bought, a cause is helped from the profits. Depicted by a special logo on each pair, your socks could support anything from solar energy, micro loans or maternal safety.
Based in East London with a traditional workshop in the Lake District, The Soap Co. makes sophisticated soap products with indulgent fragrances, minimalist design and a strong social and environmental ethos. Launched in 2015 as part of CLARITY – one of the oldest surviving social enterprises in the UK – the products and packaging are created here in the UK by people with disabilities. To top it off they boast an impressively low environmental impact with packaging sourced recycled and ethical – including recycled milk bottles and non-toxic, biodegradable glue.
“We absolutely don’t compromise on the quality of the products because of the social mission,” says CEO Jeremy Robinson. “It’s just that the social mission is an additional, positive reason for the consumer to purchase our goods. So it’s the best of both worlds.”
Don’t forget – you have until November 5 to vote, so get your vote in and keep your eyes peeled as we speak to more of the nominees involved!
This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.
