Celebrating Purpose, Resilience, and Community: Highlights from the SEYH Awards in Leeds

Hundreds of representatives from across the region’s social enterprise sector recently gathered in Leeds for the annual SEYH (Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber) Awards. Hosted at the brilliant Printworks Kitchen and Bar—part of Leeds City College—the evening was an inspiring showcase of the businesses driving positive, sustainable, and lasting change across our communities.

With over 9,000 social enterprises generating £4 billion and employing 56,000 people across Yorkshire and Humber (48% of which are female-led), the sector continues to demonstrate incredible resilience. In fact, despite recent economic hurdles, 66% of regional social enterprises grew their turnover last year, outpacing many traditional business sectors.

Keeping It Local & Purpose-Driven

Running on a team of just one person for over 15 years, SEYH itself is a social enterprise dedicated to championing the local sector despite limited funding. Organising an event of this scale amidst rising costs across the business landscape was no small feat.

Ali Ward, General Manager and lead organiser of the SEYH Awards, shared:

“I would like to thank everyone for making it a special night and for celebrating the hard work and impact of some truly brilliant people who, through their businesses, have done so much for their local communities here in the Yorkshire and Humber region… With all the current economic challenges hitting the business sector, this year our costs have doubled, and yet we were determined to keep ticket prices the same as we know costs are going up for everyone. We couldn’t have done this without all our amazing sponsors.”

By choosing Printworks Kitchen and Bar, SEYH ensured that the event directly supported trainees and reinvested funds back into the local social enterprise economy.

Rory Mason, SEYH Award judge and Managing Director of 21 Degrees Digital, added:

“These awards are about celebrating incredible social enterprises and the people who make them work—as they are some of the nicest, most inspiring people you will ever meet because they’re not driven by profit, they’re driven by the social good and wellbeing that they provide to everybody in their community. What these awards highlight is just how much Yorkshire and Humber is a leading region in the UK when it comes to social enterprise.”

SEYH Awards Winners & Finalists

Here is the full list of category winners and shortlisted nominees who are paving the way for social innovation in our region:

Start Up Award (Sponsored by SEYH)

• Winner: Elders With Roots CIC

• Shortlisted: Making Sparks CIC, Neurohive CIC, The PIECES Project CIC

Social Entrepreneur Award (Sponsored by Northside Creative)

• Winner: Lisa Bell – Soundproofbox CIC

• Shortlisted: David Wilford (Bramley Baths), Mark Storey (SCCCC)

Social Investment Award (Sponsored by Better Society Capital)

• Winners: Getting Clean CIC and Postcode Innovation Trust

• Shortlisted: Bramley Baths & Community Ltd and Co-Operatives UK, YorSpace and Resonance

Social Impact Award (Sponsored by Key Fund)

• Winner: Bevan Community Benefit Society

• Shortlisted: Create Strength Group, Ilkley Community Enterprise (Outside the Box)

Large Social Enterprise Award (Sponsored by 21 Degrees Digital)

• Winner: The Green Estate CIC

• Highly Commended: Revive Reuse CIC

• Shortlisted: The Sleep Charity, Ilkley Community Enterprise

Small Social Enterprise Award (Sponsored by SEYH)

• Winner: Umbrella Yoga CIC

• Shortlisted: The Nest Holmfirth CIC, Holmfirth Tech Ltd, Armley Action Team CIC

Innovative Use of Technology Award (Sponsored by ESP Projects)

• Winner: Participate Projects

• Shortlisted: Project Create Strength Group

Environment Award (Sponsored by Utility Aid)

• Winner: Thread Republic CIC

• Shortlisted: Riverlution, Food Works, Community Furniture Store (York) Ltd

Congratulations to all the winners, shortlisted nominees, and generous sponsors who made the evening such a huge success!

To find out more about SEYH and how you can get involved or support social enterprise across Yorkshire and Humber, visit our community pages or get in touch today.