The Ortus Group are delighted to announce that it has been recognised as the Social Enterprise of the Year at last night’s (20th October) Social Enterprise NI Awards 2016 held at The Stormont Hotel.
The Social Enterprise NI Awards are a celebration of the positive work the social enterprise industry does throughout Northern Ireland. Attended by over 250 individuals, the enterprises which make up the sector are businesses whose profits are put back into the business or into the community and with primarily social objectives such as social regeneration, community development or health and wellbeing.
The Ortus Group were honoured with the Social Enterprise of the Year accolade from a competitive shortlist of leading Social Enterprises. The company was highlighted for its commitment to social regeneration in West Belfast and the opportunities it gives local businesses through its diverse range of business support programmes and complementary business services; including FLEX Language services and Ortus Property Services.
The Ortus Group was set up in 1988 to encourage new economic activity within the Falls/Shankill interface area of Belfast. Today, Ortus is the largest enterprise agency in Northern Ireland and, through a range of innovative programmes, have successfully assisted hundreds of SMEs. Consisting of 5 enterprises and two hubs, all profits are invested back into the group for social regeneration purposes and the group receives no external funding.
“We are absolutely delighted as a team to be named as NI Social Enterprise of the Year. At Ortus our social giving is central to our ethos achieved through initiatives such as direct donations to local community and voluntary organisations, working in partnership with local influential groups, educational bursaries and community and charity events. Annually we provide over 300 free workshops as well as providing over £40,000 worth of free business support and mentoring to local SMEs plus additional monetary contributions to community groups through the Charity Initiative Fund.
What is exceptional about Ortus is our strength as a team. We have a committed, loyal and experienced team, dedicated to enterprising initiatives and pushing the boundaries to achieve more. This accolade is a reflection on our work as a group and our passion for giving back. With several key projects coming to fruition in the final quarter of 2016 we are looking forward to an exciting 2017 where we can continue to grow as a company and invest in our local community.”
