Applications are open for the new Social Enterprise Academy’s, National Lottery Heritage Fund programme – Steps to Sustainability.

This transformational experience will help UK heritage organisation be ambitious, forward thinking and deliver exciting new projects.

Participating organisations will access participative learning, creative tools and funding!

Deadline for applications is 21st December.

Starting in February 2021.

Find out more / apply: https://your.socialenterprise.academy/course/view.php?id=407

Our Modular Solutions team have been busy in the factory building the timber sticks for our next development in Llanrwst – Glanrafon.

We are building 12 new homes on behalf of Cartrefi Conwy. These homes will be built to a Passivhaus standard, certified by Beattie Passive.

We’re looking forward to starting onsite shortly to build these amazing, ecofriendly homes.

Introduction to Social Enterprise is a new  interactive three-day virtual programme, led by SEA Wales. It introduces students to the values and purpose of social enterprise; organisational and legal structures; and finance and support for social enterprise.

Delivered by our experienced facilitators Becky Lythgoe and Kate Harcus, it offers learners the chance to take part in expert webinars and benefit from 1-1 mentoring sessions with guest speakers.

Thank you to all our guest speakers –  Mark Richardson, Katie Hayward, Gwyn Roberts and Martin Downes for inspiring our learners!

Learning from the experts is what makes us unique! We offer an insight into real life experiences, making our programmes relevant, interesting and tailored to each of our learners.

Our first ever Passport to Construction course tailored specifically to women starts Tuesday 24 November 2020.

Join us to find out about different roles within the industry, learn the basics of health & safety, and brush up on your employability skills. Sessions will take place online 2 mornings a week for 3 weeks. If you’re interested in gaining an insight into this exciting, growing sector, we’d love to hear from you!

01492 588 980

employmentacademy@creatingenterprise.org.uk

We’re absolutely thrilled to be number 1 on the Fast Growth 50 list 2020.

We’ve been named as the Fastest Growing Company and the Fastest Growing Construction Company in Wales –  the first social enterprise to win this award!

It’s certainly been a challenging year and like many businesses across Wales we’ve had to adapt to new ways of working and become more flexible in our approach to meet the needs of our customers and local community.

To win this award is amazing and it’s testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of all the team at Creating Enterprise and Cartrefi Conwy.

As a social enterprise, Creating Enterprise is different. All commercial profits are invested into our social purpose, which is to help tenants and local people into employment initiatives. Creating Futures is a unique Academy which gives local people paid employment opportunities, as well as offering qualifications and meaningful work experience. The team also provides 1:1 and group support to those looking to upskill, gain confidence and widen their social circle.

Andrew Bowden, Group Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy and Creating Enterprise said:

“I am absolutely delighted to hear the news that Creating Enterprise is officially the fastest growing company in Wales. This award, published today by Wales Fast Growth 50 demonstrates the hard work and dedication each and every member of the team put into our fantastic organisation. “

Well done to all the team at Creating Enterprise and to all the other brilliant Welsh businesses on the list!

https://bit.ly/3naxxXl

Work has started on the first new council homes to be designed and built for the Denbighshire area in 30 years.

Denbighshire Housing will build 18 two-bedroom and 4 four-bedroom semi-detached houses for social rent on land above Tan y Sgubor, Denbigh, for Denbighshire County Council.

The low carbon homes, which will be built and certified to the energy-efficient Passivhaus standard, are part of the Council’s target to provide 170 more council houses by 2022.

Work started on site on October 19 and the development is expected to be completed by autumn 2021.

The frames and walls for the new houses will be made off site in North Wales by Creating Enterprise, a subsidiary of Cartrefi Conwy, using the Beattie Passive Build system and the main contractor for the development is Brenig Construction.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s lead member for Housing and Communities, said: “The Council is delighted that work is starting on these new council homes, the first to be designed and built for the county in 30 years, and we are pleased to be working with our partners on this project.

“Ensuring there is housing available to meet the needs of Denbighshire residents is a priority under our Corporate Plan.

“These homes will help meet the housing needs of residents by providing quality homes that are affordable as well as offering the highest levels of insulation to reduce energy consumption and energy efficiency to minimise carbon emissions and reduce household bills.”

The Welsh Government has provided funding through its Innovative Housing Programme to enable the Council and Creating Enterprise to work together on this new way of building homes.

The houses will have solar panels on the roofs and will use pumps to transfer natural heat from under the ground to keep them warm so they won’t need a gas supply.

Ron Beattie, Managing Director, Beattie Passive said: “We are excited to be working with Denbighshire Housing with our partners, Creating Enterprise to deliver Beattie Passive homes. The high quality, high performance houses will be Passivhaus certified, delivering high levels of energy efficiency and comfort for the residents.”

Brenig Construction Joint Managing Director Howard Vaughan said: “We’re delighted to be involved in the Denbigh Passivhaus project with Denbighshire Housing in a historic move by the Council to get back into house-building.

“We are particularly excited by the fact that this a Passivhaus scheme, as this is definitely the housing of the future.

“They use sophisticated insulation and advanced building techniques and materials to cut carbon use and can reduce energy bills to a third or less in homes that are modern, comfortable and pleasant to live in.”

Adrian Johnson, Managing Director Commercial Services for Creating Enterprise, said: “We are proud to be key partners on this fantastic new development. As well as building these innovative, low carbon homes, the simplicity of the build system offers work opportunities to those furthest from the job market.

“As part of our social purpose, we offer trainees the chance to learn new skills whilst working alongside qualified trades in new methods of construction enabling them to better themselves and their future prospects.”

Social Enterprise Academy Wales is delighted to join forces with Glyndwr University to deliver our first University programme in North Wales.

Introduction to Social Enterprise is a fantastic opportunity for budding social entrepreneurs.

This inspiring new programme has been designed to guide students through the structure of a social enterprise, legal structures, finances and so much more!

• Expert webinar sessions
• Guest speakers from leading social entrepreneurs in Wales including Becky Lythgoe, Mark Richardson and Katie Hayward.
• 1-1 mentoring sessions

This is a 3 day, interactive online programme specifically for Students at Glyndwr University.

https://bit.ly/3kmoPEm

We recently launched the brand new website for the much-anticipated Creating Loyalty project, which aims to bring together local businesses and working families through mutual loyalty. The website gives businesses the opportunity to advertise discounts and other offers which can then be redeemed by eligible families via a bespoke mobile app launching soon.

Take a look at the website here: www.creatingloyalty.co.uk

The last few months have been hard on everyone in Conwy, but if the COVID-19 situation has taught us anything it is the importance of coming together and supporting each other. In return for the discounts they offer to families, businesses who get involved with the Creating Loyalty project can expect free advertising space, promotion on social media and local radio, increased trade and an enhanced reputation amongst a community which is so keen to help out.

Businesses already involved include:

• Virgilio’s Restaurant & Takeaway
• Paradox Health & Fitness
• The Sugar Den

Could your business benefit from everything Creating Loyalty has to offer? Simply call Jasmine on 01492 588 980 or email admin@creatingloyalty.co.uk

Eligibility criteria for families:

The Creating Loyalty app will be made available to all families living in social housing or private rented accommodation in Conwy county where at least one person in the household is working.

Pendre Avenue – Empty Homes Scheme from Cartrefi Conwy on Vimeo.

Contracts Manager Dion from Creating Enterprise shows us round a nearly refurbished home. The works have been completed by our planned maintenance team on behalf of Cartrefi Conwy.

It’s benefited from a new kitchen, painted walls throughout and work to the garden.