A TOTAL of eight social enterprises from across North Wales are on the final shortlist for national awards celebrating growing social businesses.

The firms help make up a shortlist of 21 finalists taking part in the annual 2022 Social Business Wales Awards.

These awards highlight the different ways social enterprises and entrepreneurs have made a difference to lives and communities in Wales in the last 12 months.

They are part of the Social Business Wales programme delivered by Cwmpas, a development agency for economic and social change, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government.

Llandudno-based Prom Ally has been shortlisted for the Tech for Good award for its work creating an online platform for loaning prom dresses and suits to teenagers experiencing financial hardship, as well as promoting sustainable fashion through its Eco Wardrobe formal hire service.

Ally Elouise, founder of Prom Ally, said: “We’re so excited to be nominated for this award! 

"This last year, we’ve worked really hard on building our Eco Wardrobe formal-wear hire site and using technology such as social media and online advertising to help promote our cause as much as possible.

"The Prom Ally board of directors, Alex the graphic designer and Luke the photographer, have gone above and beyond to try and make the website look as stunning and professional as possible!

"We’re really excited for the awards and for the future of Prom Ally CIC and Eco Wardrobe.

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In Caernarfon, community benefit society Menter Ty'n Llan has been shortlisted for the One to Watch award.

The group bought a Grade II listed building in the picturesque village of Llandwrog when the pub in the space closed it doors in 2017, leaving the community without a place to socialise.

The building is now being transformed into a community hub, with a restaurant with rooms, charging points for electric cars and community event and meeting space.

Outdoor training and education company Wild Elements Hospitality in Bangor has also been shortlisted in the One to Watch category.

Working in partnership with Bangor University, the company aims to provide outdoor and environmental education for schools and communities across North Wales.

Two Flintshire enterprises have been shortlisted: non-profit community catering company Well-Fed (Services) Ltd in the Social Enterprise of the Year category and public space improvement coalition Enbarr Foundation CIC in the new Diversity, Inclusion, Equality and Social Justice category.

Deeside leisure centre and library service Aura Leisure Limited has been shortlisted for the Transforming Community and Place award for its work helping to keep the community fit and healthy.

The organisation was one of the first employee-owned community benefit societies operating in the UK.

Also shortlisted in the Tech for Good category is Rhyl City Strategy which provides personalised support, training and therapies to help people and businesses across Wales improve their wellbeing for work.

In Wrexham, Groundwork North Wales has been shortlisted in four categories – Social Enterprise of the Year, Prove It, Environmental Social Enterprise and the new category of Women in Social Enterprise for chief executive Karen Balmer.

The Groundwork charity aims to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of people across North Wales, focusing on disadvantaged groups.

Glenn Bowen, director of enterprise at Cwmpas, said: “The standard of applications to the Social Business Wales Awards, gets better and better each year and this year is no exception.

“We have had applications from social enterprises from all corners of Wales.

“Social enterprises embedded within their communities providing much needed support, services and jobs.

“We have brilliant examples of businesses doing their bit to reduce the impact of climate change and reaching out to new members of the community through their equity, diversity and inclusion work.

“It’s great to see so many high quality applications again this year, making it a difficult task for our judges. Good luck to all our wonderful finalists.”

The 2022 event on Monday, October 10 will mark the ninth year of the awards ceremony, which will be a live, in-person event for the first time since 2019, taking place at the new Swansea Arena.

All winners will go on to represent Wales at the Social Enterprise UK Awards, held in London in December.