Council Marks Success of Social Enterprise Programme

April 6, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was delighted to celebrate its successful Social Enterprise Programme with participants and its partner Work West Enterprise Agency.

This programme has resulted in eight new start-up social enterprises and through the growth of social enterprises and cooperatives 13 jobs have been created with potentially another 22 over the course of the Programme within the Lisburn Castlereagh area.

Participants from social, charity and community groups attended the event.  The guest speakers were: Neil Woolsey from Ballymacash Rangers, Samantha Reilly from Fusion Theatre and Vince Curry from The Welcome House.  They talked about how sport, theatre and ethnic cohesion can bring communities together and generate support to build stronger communities.

The Mayor, Councillor Tim Morrow, opening the event, said: “It was great to see a range of sectors represented here; and I wish you all every success as you continue to grow as a social enterprise after completing this valuable programme of support.  Within the Lisburn Castlereagh area there are a significant number of social enterprises that play a key role in both social and economic regeneration through promoting inclusion, changing lives and creating much needed employment in certain areas.  Keep up the good work.”

Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee added: “The celebration event was all about shining a light on the hard work undertaken by individuals and groups within social enterprises in Lisburn Castlereagh area that meet local community needs and on the very successful council-led Social Enterprise Programme.  This programme offered 22 organisations development support and one to one mentoring and I thank our partner Work West Enterprise Agency for providing this support.”