SCOTTISH housing association, Link Group Ltd, has been named ‘UK Social Enterprise of the Year’ in the 2013 Social Enterprise Awards.
Link was shortlisted for this award following its win at the Scottish Social Enterprise Awards in October.
Link scooped the prize for its work providing a range of regeneration and support services to over 10,000 people in Scotland delivering significant positive outcomes in relation to health, well-being, employability and capacity building from a customer-focused perspective.
In addition to spending £5.2million updating and maintaining its current housing stock, Link’s recent achievements include working with partners to complete 299 new homes (256 of which were for social rent) and commencing development of 50 new properties across Scotland.
It helped 500 people become first-time buyers using innovative funding introduced by the Scottish Government and successfully managed the City of Edinburgh Council’s Private Sector Leasing scheme to secure accommodation for 440 homeless families
Craig Sanderson, chief executive of Link, said: “We are extremely pleased to have received this award, particularly in view of the high calibre of the other finalists.
“Since Link was formed in 1962, we have successfully delivered not only our core activity of providing homes but also a range of wider services for people most excluded and marginalised. This recognition is not just for our own achievements but those of the entire Scottish Third Sector.”
Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “Link fought off fierce competition to win this award, and its performance stood out and impressed the judges. Link wholly deserves to be recognised on a national stage for its contribution to society.
“Making a positive difference while making a profit isn’t easy, which is why social enterprises – businesses that do good and give back – are so impressive.”
Now in their 15th year, the UK Social Enterprise Awards recognise recognises the work and achievements of Britain’s most inspiring and successful social enterprises and their supporters.
They are organised by Social Enterprise UK, the national body for social enterprises, businesses that serve people and communities. There are currently 70,000 social enterprises in the UK.
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Contact: Alison Spence
Email: aran@linkhaltd.co.uk
Website: http://www.linkhousing.org.uk
