Social Enterprise Mark awarded
Southampton based Freeset Ltd has been successful in satisfying key criteria to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, which identifies them as trading for social and environmental purposes.
The Social Enterprise Mark was launched nationally on February 1st at Voice10, the Social Enterprise Coalition’s national conference. The Social Enterprise Mark is the brand for social enterprises. The Mark will identify businesses which meet defined criteria for social enterprise, and consumers will recognise that businesses displaying the Mark are trading to benefit people and planet.
Freeset Ltd joins other ethical businesses that have been recognised by being awarded the Mark such as the Eden Project, Hill Holt Wood, Bristol Wood Recycling Project and the Co-operative Group South & West. The Social Enterprise Mark builds off the pilot work run by RISE, the voice for south west social enterprise.
Social enterprises are working to make a difference across the UK and beyond, but not enough people know what they are or how they work. The Social Enterprise Mark aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises do in order to get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises.
Freeset was started as a social enterprise at the close of 2006 to provide employment to women who had been trafficked into and exploited by prostitution. Through working with partners in India and creating conference and promotional bags along with great gift items, Freeset ensures that women vulnerable to exploitation are able to take part in dignity-giving employment. The women learn new skills of making handmade bags and gifts. All our seamstresses are paid fair wages and have healthy working conditions. Through this work, the women become free from sexual exploitation and are free to make the choices they want for their lives.
Mark Wakeling, Executive Director said, “We’re really proud to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. Freeset is absolutely committed to supporting sustainable businesses and consequently helping local communities to thrive and prosper”.
Lucy Findlay champion from the Social Enterprise Mark Company (manager of the Mark) advised:
“As the distinctive and exciting brand for social enterprise, the Mark identifies businesses which meet defined criteria, enabling consumers to recognise those that are trading to benefit people and planet. It also helps those businesses promote their business ethics and values. We hope that the Social Enterprise Mark will do for social enterprise what the Fair Trade Mark did for fair trade.”
Visit www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk or www.freesetbags.co.uk to find out more.
Freeset is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Tags: award, business, social enterprise