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Edge Upstarts Awards 2006 Winners

Newly-appointed Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband MP, presented the Edge Upstarts Awards to the winners at an exclusive ceremony in London on Wednesday 10 May. The awards were Ed Miliband's first public engagement since being appointed to his ministerial post. Radio and television presenter Sarah Dickins hosted the evening.


The winners of the Edge Upstarts Awards 2006 are:

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRAINEE OF THE YEAR:

Carol Hughes, star trainee driver at Bulky Bob's, a recycling social enterprise, for achieving the most on-the-job. Carol was a single mum with four kids, no confidence and no idea how to get back into the workforce. She juggled work, training and childcare and is now the only woman driver in a team of 38 men.


Highly Commended
Bernadette Wright for her role as a trainee at Proud City. Bernadette has dedicated herself to life-long learning and has used the skills gained through her training to work tirelessly for the regeneration of her community. She is a shining example of the feats that can be achieved through adult-learning.

YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:

Amy Carter, 25-year-old founder of Bespoke Experience, for setting up a successful and sustainable fair trade tourism company in a highly competitive market. Amy is the inspirational driving force behind the company, which sets up eco resorts in areas of extreme poverty to benefit the local community and environment.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:

Safia Minney of People Tree for using her energy and passion to do something most social businesses have failed to do – bring fair trade into the mainstream. Safia has convinced high street retailer Topshop to stock People Tree's stylish and sustainable range of fair trade clothing to benefit some of the world's most marginalised communities.

Deborah Isaac collected the award on behalf of Safia Minney

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TEAM OF THE YEAR:

Hoxton Apprentice Restaurant for working together so effectively to maximise the positive impact of the social business. Hoxton's apprentices are mainly homeless and long-term unemployed. After learning personal and career skills, they are transformed into confident team members who are able to contribute productively to a successful social enterprise.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE MENTOR OF THE YEAR:

Heather Wilkinson, founder of 'Striding Out', a sustainable social enterprise that actively coaches and supports young social entrepreneurs. Heather was recognised for her one-on-one support and her determination to make the company a success so that the next generation is able to benefit from her wealth of experience.


Highly Commended
Barbara Phillips for her contribution to mentoring in the social enterprise sector. Barbara left her job as the Director of the Department of Trade and Industry's Social Enterprise Unit in spring 2004 and has since dedicated herself to mentoring countless up and coming social entrepreneurs.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR:

Training for Life, in recognition of their innovative approach of providing training in various industries for thousands of disadvantaged people in high-deprivation areas. It has effectively diversified to accommodate different needs and is a highly successful and easily replicated model.

THE EDGE START-UP AWARD:

MPS Training is the winner of a special award created to recognise this independent school that specialises in teaching disaffected boys the skills needed to be successful in the construction industry.

SPECIAL COMMENDATION:

Stonelaw High Fair Traders Young Co-operative, a set of student entrepreneurs ranging from 12 to 18 years of age, for setting an example to others by selling fairtrade goods everywhere from the school playground, coffee mornings and parent evenings to local parish churches and markets. Since the co-operative started in 2003 sales have exceeded £25,000, with all profits donated to Dr Ruth Bland who works in South Africa with babies and children who are HIV positive.

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