A COMMUNITY recycling company has been named social enterprise of the year in a national contest.
Crest Co-operative, a Llandudno Junction based non-profit organisation, was praised at the Social Enterprise Awards Wales ceremony on Friday, October 19. The event was held at the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre in Prestatyn.
Other North Wales winners included Kelly Davies of football training programme Viability and the North Wales Credit Union.
Crest Co-operative operate a number of recycling enterprises including FareShare North Wales, a food poverty project and a textile recycling operation
Crest Co-operative’s work primarily focuses on social and environmental purposes, working to promote social inclusion and at the same time working to save materials and food from landfill.
Sharon Jones, chief executive of Crest Co-operative said: “This was a real surprise and it’s great to win such as prestigious award. The public’s support has been key to our success. We also have a fantastic team and a strong management team.”
Earlier this year Crest Co-operative opened a community store on Colwyn Bay high street. Their Llandudno Junction based outlet store has been running for more than five years. In July the non-profit company launched the Crest Community Fund. Crest Co-operative will be injecting £10, 000 back into the Conwy community. Last month a homeless drop-in centre, a football team for adults with learning disabilities and three other good causes benefited from a funding boost.
Derek Walker, chief executive of the Wales Co-operative, who organised the awards ceremony said: “The quality of nominations this year demonstrated not only the breadth and versatility of the sector but the importance the sector has to communities across Wales. The judges this year had a tough task deciding between a number of very dedicated people and a number of extremely deserving nominees. The winners chosen demonstrate an impressive commitment to their area of expertise and a level of service that is outstanding.”