We are delighted to announce that Cosmic have been shortlisted in the Social Enterprise of the year awards 2017. Cosmic have reached the final round in the category of Tech For Good, with the winner to be announced at the London award ceremony on 23rd November.
The Awards recognise organisations for their business excellence and contribution to society, as well as the achievements of people working at the heart of the sector. The Tech for Good category looks to award the best social enterprise that uses technology to achieve a social impact. The competition is governed by Social Enterprise UK, the biggest network of social enterprises in the UK and a strategic partner to 6 government departments.
Cosmic’s nomination for the award focused upon our delivery of a number of funded projects that seek to improve the lives of people across the South West through their access and use of digital technology. Of particular note are our Positive People projects, working across Devon and Somerset, aimed at helping people furthest from the job line to engage with technology for their own personal development. In the last 12 months Cosmic have also been working closely with rural communities, farmers and small independent businesses in remote areas such as Dartmoor and Exmoor. On behalf of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, our team of Digital Skills trainers have supported these people in their use of technology, including social media, to be able to access online resources and promote their businesses.
Cosmic’s Digital Skills Specialist, Nina Goodwin, who has been heavily involved in delivery of the project said; “Cosmic are delighted to be providing digital support and mentoring for farmers in our most rural locations of Dartmoor and Exmoor. We have been able to transform farmers lives, enabling them to understand the benefits of digital, introducing them to new software, apps and hardware and helping them to become more efficient and less fearful of future technology".
In addition to delivering funded projects, Cosmic also play an active role in supporting regional businesses and organisations, such as Yarlington Housing Group, providing 10,000 community homes in Devon, Dorset and Somerset. Cosmic provide permanent digital skills support for their 20,000 residents.
Of the award shortlisting, Nina Goodwin said, “We are extremely proud to be nominated for this award. It is a fantastic national recognition of the amazing work Cosmic do. More importantly, it really helps to shine a light on the digital growth and development of the South West as a whole”.
Our fingers are crossed for the November Awards ceremony, and we congratulate all the other shortlisted businesses in the competition.
