Work West Backs a New Year of Social Innovation with Go Social
Work West is delighted to announce the continuation of our partnership with Belfast City Council’s Go Social Programme into the new year.
The Go Social initiative provides vital business support for social enterprises, cooperatives, and purpose-driven organisations across the city. Through this programme, Work West will deliver bespoke mentoring, enterprise workshops, and expert advice to help social entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and build resilient, impactful businesses.
“Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity and commitment of Belfast’s social entrepreneurs. We’re thrilled to continue helping these changemakers build businesses that make a real difference in their communities.” - Stephen McGarry, Work West
If you're ready to make a social impact, contact us or register your interest with Belfast City Council.
Meet the Mentor
Meet the Mentor
Meet the Mentor
We were delighted to have Fiona and Lynne as Peer mentors on our recent Social Value Ready pilot
Meet the Mentor
Meet the Mentor
Meet the Mentor
If you would like to offer your skills and expertise as a mentor please contact Helen Lunny for details.
Celebrating social enterprise at #OnPurpose event
As part of the Belfast City Council Social Enterprise and Cooperative Support Programme we welcomed over 100 attendees to the beautifully refurbished Templemore Baths to showcase social enterprise and connect purpose led organisations for future collaboration.
Attendees heared from Rónán Ó Dálaigh (Founder & CEO of Thriftify), Pamela Hughes (Kids Together Belfast) and Alice Thompson (International Speaker & Purpose Coach) about their journey in social enterprise. Phelim Sharvin from Community Finance Ireland provided an insight into models of finance for social enterprise whilst our own Stephen McGarry hosted an fesity and engaging Q&A discussion.
With thanks to events sponsors and supporters - Belfast City Council, Community Finance Ireland, GLL/Better and Flax Trust.
Social Innovation in Housing & Homelessness
The Work West team were able to celebrate with teams supported through the unique Social Innovation programme supported by Community Foundation NI.
£160,000 grant funding was awarded through a ground breaking Participatory Budgeting processes held at the Braid Theatre in Ballymena. Eight groups pitched their ideas to a full auditorium made up of groups working on housing issues, those with lived experience and others who voted to allocate up to £25,000 per group.
The Community Foundation’s Community Solutions to Housing and Homelessness programme supports the development, testing, and delivery of new ideas and collaborations addressing the root causes of housing issues and homelessness, by working with a range of organisations and giving voice to individuals with lived experience.
Find out more: https://communityfoundationni.org/news/160000-delivered-for-housing-and-homelessness-projects/
