SEYH Awards

Nominations are now open to highlight the achievements of 2020.  We have 7 awards which are detailed below.  Nominations close 5pm Thursday 18th March.  Awards evening takes place Thurdsay 22nd April 6pm online.

Social Enterprise of the Year – sponsored by Hempsons

The award recognises organisations who have demonstrated an outstanding track record of delivery, growth and innovation.

 Criteria

1. High standards of strategic management and leadership
2. High levels of customer satisfaction
3. Evidence of developing people within the organisation
4. Demonstrable successes in terms of meeting aims and objectives
5. Demonstrable impact within the community resulting in positive social or environmental results
6. Demonstrable sustainability in financial, social and environmental terms
7. Strong track record in terms of communicating with stakeholders
8. Strong track record in terms of working with other social enterprise

Social Entrepreneur – Sponsored by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

This award is open to individuals working within a social enterprise who have demonstrated the following qualities and skills

Criteria

1. Represents excellence within their field
2. Demonstrates values of equality and diversity
3. Inspires others to achieve their full potential
4. Evidence of celebrating, enhancing and improving the social enterprise sector

Environmental Award – Sponsored by Leeds Business School

This award is open to social enterprises operating in the environmental sector for more than 2 years and can demonstrate the following

 Criteria

1. Clear vision and strategy
2. Problem solving approach
3. Evidence of overcoming challenges
4. Strong potential for future success
5. Clear evidence of environmental impact

Social Impact Award Sponsored by Key Fund

 This award is open to social enterprises that are able to clearly demonstrate, evidence and communicate their social impact with their stakeholders.

 Criteria: 

1. Evidenced community impact in line with objectives and vision
2. Excellent measurement and reporting processes
3. Use of varied evidence types, such as (but not limited to) interviews, focus groups and surveys
4. Evidenced stakeholder engagement, including communication of their impact in creative ways to maximise awareness
5. Proof of effective evaluation and process review mechanisms, including evidence of incorporating such findings into future operations 

Social Investment Award sponsored by Big Society Capital

This award is for social enterprises who have been successful in securing funds to advance their social mission.

Criteria: 

1. Demonstrable assessment of initial need, problem or cause
2. Explanation of method used to apply for or secure funding
3. Discussion of impact of the investment to the community, whether expected or realised
4. Discussion of what future plans the organisation has

Start Up Award sponsored by Wrigleys

This award is open to social enterprises which have been operating for less than two years as of December 2019, and which have a plan to develop their business with a clear vision and growth model.

Criteria: 

1.  Clear vision and strategy
2.  Demonstrates problem solving approach
3.  Evidence of overcoming challenges
4.  Strong potential for future success

Tech For Good Award sponsored by ESP Projects

This award is open to social enterprises which have been trading for two years or more, and which use technology to deliver products or services in line with their social / environmental mission.

Criteria: 

1. Evidence of identifying and addressing a specific problem
2. Evidence of a unique and creative solution
3. Proof of positive impact
4. Can demonstrate customer/stakeholder satisfaction
5. Sustainable business model

Eligibility

All categories are open to nominations from Social Enterprises operating in the Yorkshire and Humber area, with exception of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award which is open to an individual working within a Social Enterprise in the Yorkshire and Humber area.

For the purposes of these awards, a Social Enterprise is defined as a business which;

a. has a clear social or environmental mission which is set out in its governing documents, and

b. is an independent business which earns income through trading, and

c. is controlled or owned in the interests of the social mission, and

d. either reinvests or gives away profits or surpluses to further its social purpose, and

e. is transparent about how it operates and the impact it has.

Documents required

Social Enterprises which are shortlisted for an award, or Social Enterprises which employ an individual who is shortlisted for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, must provide the following two documents upon request. These documents are required to confirm that the social enterprise is eligible to win an award. Please do not send these to us unless your organisation is shortlisted.

Accounts – most recent set of management accounts, including a profit/loss account and balance sheet, which clearly show that the social enterprise earns income from trading and that the social enterprise reinvests profits or surpluses towards its social purpose

Governing Documents – which clearly show that the social enterprise is an independent business and is controlled or owned to further a clear social or environmental mission.

If you have any questions please email ali.ward@seyh.org.uk.

Thank you to all our sponsors

2019 Awards