Bristol Social Enterprise gets the Mark from Julie
June 16th 2009Our Chief Executive Julie Harris was invited to make a presentation to Terry Waite last week in his role as President of Emmaus.
Julie in her role as Chair of RISE, commented:
"With more and more opportunities opening up every day for organisations to benefit from the growing trend in ethical consumerism, the Social Enterprise Mark has an important role to play in helping people understand when a business is genuinely socially-motivated. By the end of this year, the Social Enterprise Mark will be available across the country and we hope it will be the next 'Fair Trade'-type success story in helping people buy in a more responsible way."
Former Middle East hostage Terry Waite visited Bristol to recognise the work of an organisation which helps homeless people.Mr Waite accepted an award on behalf of the Emmaus organisation at its shop in Bedminster Parade.
The 70-year-old is president of Emmaus, which helps homeless people. The award, a Social Enterprise Mark, is given in recognition that Emmaus Bristol trades for the benefit of local people, rather than the benefit of shareholders or owners.
It is the first of the 15 Emmaus organisations across the country to receive the award and Mr Waite accepted the award on behalf of Emmaus Bristol director Richard Pendlebury.
He said: "I started married life here in Bristol. My three daughters were all born in Southmead Hospital. I must say Bristol has changed dramatically since I lived here, the road network for a start, I don't know my way around these days. But it is a city that has got so much to it that is so attractive and it has got a lot going on for it. It also has its social problems, however, and Emmaus Bristol has played a very important role to show how these problems can be tackled, not by just giving opportunities but by enabling people to get back into life at a pace they can manage.
"Emmaus Bristol make a hugely significant contribution to the city."
Each former homeless person, known as a 'Companion', who joins Emmaus Bristol is given their own ensuite room in a building the orgnanisation owns in the Dings, a small allowance and all living expenses paid for.
Every Companion has to work a 40-hour week in Emmaus' workshop in the Dings, or help out in the community, such as working at the Bedminster shop.
Mr Waite spent five years in solitary confinement after being taken hostage while acting as an envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Richard Pendlebury, director of Emmaus Bristol, said: "I am delighted that Terry Waite was able to be here today to receive this award on behalf of Emmaus Bristol.
"We have had a shop in Bedminster now for over a year and are still building relationships here. We want to be part of this Bedminster community."