Social Enterpr-eyes? Beacon Centre for the Blind achieves ‘ethical’ business award
Beacon Centre for the Blind based in Sedgley in the Black Country has recently achieved endorsement for its work in improving society and protecting the environment. Beacon Chief Executive, Arwyn Jones and Chair of Trustees, Pauline Heffernan were presented with the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark by Melanie Mills, Big Society Capital Social Sector Engagement Director.
Beacon Chair, Pauline Heffernan commented: “Our passion at Beacon is being in business to use profits to fulfil our charitable aim of making a visible difference for people with visual impairment and sight loss. That’s why receiving the Social Enterprise Mark is a great honour for Beacon. It is an independent guarantee of why we’re in business, how we use our profits and a testament for our future direction for developing sustainable social enterprises”.
Beacon Centre is a social enterprise providing quality accommodation, health and social care services, advice, information and advocacy services for people with visual impairment and sight loss across the Black Country in the West Midlands. In Autumn 2015 Beacon will launch Beacon Opticians Plus, the UK’s first social enterprise ophthalmic optician service with the benefit of onsite low vision advice and support services. Beacon also operates retail charity and coffee shops across the Black Country and employment support and prevention services across the Black Country.
The Government defines social enterprises as “businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”
Melanie Mills, Social Sector Director of Big Society Capital presented the Beacon team with the Mark at Beacon Centre, Sedgley on Tuesday 7th July 2015.
Lucy Findlay, Managing Director of the Social Enterprise Mark CIC said: “As the only certification for genuine social enterprises, the Mark guarantees businesses which use their profits for purpose not for shareholders’ pockets. The Mark helps those businesses show their business ethics and values. We are delighted to award the Social Enterprise Mark to Beacon Centre for the Blind and have no doubt they will inspire others to follow this great example of social enterprise.”
To find out more about Beacon Vision please click here, Beacon Vision are also a registered Social Enterprise.
