Social enterprise beats competition to UK award

Instant Neighbour was named the UK Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year for 2015 at the UK Social Enterprise Awards in London last month.

The national competition recognises excellence and outstanding achievements by social enterprises – businesses that reinvest their profits good, benefitting people and planet. The UK now has more than 70,000 social enterprises, contributing more than £24 billion to the economy each year.

Instant Neighbour provides a range of services for vulnerable people, those experiencing poverty and homelessness across the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Instant Neighbour aims to provide responsive help to those most in need, be it food, clothing or practical help in providing furniture, carpets, cooking equipment. It has been successful in assisting people out of poverty through other activities such as volunteering and work experience. It has strong connections with some of the poorest communities in Aberdeen from which a large proportion of dedicated volunteers take the lead on providing different types of assistance.

Instant Neighbour has recycled and redistributed furniture and household items to those on low incomes for over 25 years and approximately 10,000 people per annum benefit.

Sophy Green, chief executive of Instant Neighbour, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded UK Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year. The team at Instant Neighbour work hard to protect the environment and encourage people to reuse and recycle, helping to create a circular economy for Scotland.

“To the board, staff and volunteers I want to say a huge thank you. And thank you to all our supporters – keep donating, we couldn’t do it without you.”

Peter Holbrook CBE, Social Enterprise UK’s chief executive, added: “Social enterprises are needed more than ever to tackle the social and environmental problems facing Britain. Congratulations to Instant Neighbour – the competition was fierce.”

@InstNeighbour