The Larder Are Shortlisted for Social Enterprise of the Year

Run annually, the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards represent very best of the sector, highlighting the agility, ability and active role that social enterprises play in building places, supporting communities and making a positive impact on our environment and wellbeing. The Larder were declared ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2021 awards being pipped at the post by Glasgow Social Enterprise, Locavore. This year we are welcomed back with open arms being shortlisted once again for the prestigious category alongside fellow social enterprises Edinburgh Remakery, Hey Girls CIC, JTS (Just Trading Scotland) and Scran Academy.

Throughout the past 12 months, we produced strong tangible outcomes, compelling beneficiary stories and evidenced social impact, all of which represent the hard work, dedication, continued response and change that we bring to our community. In 2021, we reached the final for 5 awards, winning the Living Wage Scotland, Newcomer Award and receiving two ‘Highly Commended’ accolades.  We implemented a salary structure and became a Living Wage employer, resulting in a 16% average salary increase for employees.  We introduced two staff wellbeing days, created 7 new jobs, including a Director of Food Enterprise and Sales and Marketing Manager to drive enterprise sales. Twenty-three volunteers, gave over 1500 hours throughout the year. Despite the continued and lasting impacts of Covid-19, our training academy supported 238 people to reach their full potential, with 82% gaining qualifications, and 77% moving into employment, education or further training. Our food insecurity project served 41,365 meals to over 400 individuals struggling to access food, most commonly experiencing low-income, homelessness and poor mental health. From this successful work, our trainees, volunteers and beneficiaries have described The Larder as a life-changing organisation and life-line for many; clear and evidenced reasons for our shortlist of Social Enterprise of the Year. 

Angela Moohan, CEO at The Larder said: “It’s very humbling being nominated once again for these awards, as it recognises the hard work of the whole team who have worked incredibly hard to support so many people in West Lothian living in poverty and experiencing multiple and complex barriers. Our team lived our values of honesty, collaboration, quality, compassion and transformation, bringing the best support to our community. Being a finalist for these awards has given us even more encouragement to continue developing our projects and working with our community.”

 To find out more about The Larder’s services, you can head to our social media pages @LarderTraining. You can also check out the other shortlisted organisations by heading to the https://socialenterpriseawards.scot/the-2022-social-enterprise-awards-scotland-shortlist/