The national Awards, organised by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) recognises excellence and outstanding achievements by social enterprises, businesses set up to for a social or environmental purpose that reinvest or donate the majority of their profits to meet their mission. From tackling the climate emergency to reducing homelessness, social enterprises are taking on some of the biggest challenges we face, using trade to change lives and protect the planet. They have also been at the heart of community responses to the pandemic, providing essential services from food deliveries to health care with many pivoting their models to keep on supporting the people they are set up to help.
There are 100,000 Social Enterprises in the UK contributing £60 billion to the economy and employing two million people. Facing fierce competition from a list of incredibly inspiring finalists, we could not be more proud of Yvonne for winning in this category.
Judge’s comments: A really strong category, choosing a winner was incredibly difficult. Yvonne’s work at Breathe has shown resilience, tenacity and a commitment to female leadership.
To be awarded the Women in Social Enterprise prize is an incredible achievement for Yvonne. It is the first award Yvonne has received which is solely focused on her as opposed to Breathe or specific programmes that she has initiated.