Social Business Awards Wales 2026

Key Points

• Social Business Wales has named finalists for the Social Business Awards Wales 2026.
• The award will honour the achievements of social enterprises, individuals and organizations making contributions to society, environment and communities in Wales.
• Nominations have been received in eight categories of the awards.
• These include innovations, environment, social impact, inclusivity, women leaders, and social enterprise of the year.
• The award winners will be announced at Y Muni in Pontypridd on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
• Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas said that the volume and quality of nominations indicated the “breadth, depth and diversity” of the social enterprise ecosystem in Wales.
• Multiple nominations have been received by some organizations in different categories including Welcome to Our Woods, PACTO, Benthyg Cymru, and With Music in Mind.
• This comes after what was termed an exceptional submission response to the nomination by Social Business Wales.

Wales (Wales Times) September 01, 2026 – Social Business Awards Wales 2026 finalists have been announced across eight categories, recognising organisations and individuals working in areas including community development, employment, environmental sustainability, mental health, transport access, inclusion and social justice. The winners are scheduled to be announced at a live awards event at Y Muni in Pontypridd on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

What has Social Business Wales announced?

Social Business Wales has confirmed the shortlist for its 2026 awards after receiving what it described as an exceptional response to the annual call for entries. According to the announcement published by Business News Wales, the shortlisted organisations demonstrate the range of work being undertaken by social enterprises in communities across Wales.

The awards include eight categories, each focusing on a particular type of contribution. These range from support for emerging enterprises and innovation to programmes addressing inequality, environmental concerns, community resilience and women’s leadership.

As reported by Business News Wales, the awards are intended to celebrate “excellence, innovation, and a dedication to social justice and sustainability” within the Welsh social enterprise sector.

Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, commented on the volume and standard of this year’s submissions. As quoted by Business News Wales, Mr Bowen said: “The quality and number of entries for this year’s Awards show the depth, breadth and diversity of the social enterprise sector in Wales, so I am optimistic and excited about the future of our communities.”

Who are the One to Watch Award finalists?

The One to Watch Award, sponsored by Trivallis, is open to social enterprises that have been operating for fewer than two years as of April 2026. The category considers organisations showing growth and a clear vision for their future work.

The finalists are:

• PAN Cymru, a parent-led social enterprise supporting families involved in the child-protection system through Parent Cafés, training and consultancy.
• Redberth Croft CIC, a Pembrokeshire organisation creating inclusive activities and opportunities for veterans, neurodivergent people, carers and people experiencing isolation or mental health challenges.
• Hubbub, a Penarth-based enterprise which provides supported work experience and employment pathways for young people with additional learning needs and neurodiversity through a sustainable retail model.

PAN Cymru’s work is based on lived experience and seeks to bring parents and professionals together to improve understanding, reduce stigma and strengthen support for families. Redberth Croft CIC uses community, environmental and wellbeing projects to help participants develop confidence, skills and purpose. Hubbub combines its retail operation with employment preparation for young people.

Which organisations are shortlisted for innovation?

The Social Enterprise Innovation Award, sponsored by The CoOp, recognises organisations developing new products or services. Business News Wales reported that social enterprises are nearly three times more likely than mainstream businesses to develop new products or services, which is the context for the category.

The finalists are:

• Invisible Walls, which works with children, families and people in custody through prison visitor centres, trauma-responsive services, family interventions and school partnerships.
• PACTO, the Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations, which works to reduce transport inequality and improve access to local services.
• Wales Weightlifting Federation CIC, the national governing body for weightlifting and strength-based activity in Wales.

Invisible Walls focuses on strengthening family relationships and reducing isolation for people affected by imprisonment. PACTO supports community transport providers, volunteers and local transport services, with the aim of connecting people to healthcare, education, employment and community life. Wales Weightlifting Federation CIC combines participation programmes, education, competitions and partnerships, while reinvesting surplus funds for public benefit.

Who has been recognised for social impact?

The Prove it: the Social Impact Award is sponsored by Elite Supported Employment Agency. It is open to social enterprises that have been operating for more than two years and assesses the quality of their impact measurement and stakeholder reporting.

The three shortlisted organisations are:

• Boss & Brew Academy, a Cardiff social enterprise using coffee training and a youth-led café to help people aged 16 to 24 gain confidence, qualifications and employment experience.
• With Music in Mind, which provides singing sessions, gentle exercise and social activities for people aged 50 and over across the Vale of Glamorgan.
• People Speak Up, a Llanelli-based arts and mental health charity offering free creative-writing, storytelling and spoken-word workshops.

Boss & Brew Academy reinvests its income into free programmes for young people. With Music in Mind aims to reduce isolation and support wellbeing among older adults. People Speak Up uses creative workshops to build resilience, foster intergenerational understanding and help participants express themselves.

Which environmental enterprises made the shortlist?

The Environmental Social Enterprise Award, sponsored by Unity Trust Bank, recognises established organisations working in green and environmental sectors.

The finalists are:

• Welcome to Our Woods, a community-led enterprise in the Upper Rhondda Valley managing woodlands, providing green skills training and organising outdoor activities.
• Too Good to Waste, which collects surplus furniture and appliances for reuse and resale through affordable showrooms.
• Benthyg Cymru, which supports community Libraries of Things, allowing people to borrow items such as tools, camping equipment and kitchen appliances.

Welcome to Our Woods works on local landscape restoration, community wellbeing and nature connection. Too Good to Waste aims to reduce landfill by extending the use of household items. Benthyg Cymru promotes borrowing instead of buying, with the stated aims of saving households money, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.

Who are the inclusion and justice finalists?

The Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice Award honours established enterprises working to address inequality and social justice through their operations.

The shortlisted organisations are:

• NeuroBusiness CIC, which works to tackle barriers affecting neurodivergent people.
• Ffair Jobs, a Cardiff initiative developed from a grassroots movement involving young people in Butetown, Grangetown and Riverside.
• More Than Flags and Rainbows CIC, which works with schools, organisations and communities on inclusion, anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programmes.

NeuroBusiness CIC states that it seeks equal opportunities for neurodivergent people to live fulfilling, independent and connected lives. Ffair Jobs links local people with inclusive employers through the Community Jobs Compact and promotes fair work. More Than Flags and Rainbows CIC offers programmes, training and consultancy intended to help organisations embed inclusion in practice.

Which leaders are finalists for the Women’s Champion Award?

The Social Enterprise Women’s Champion Award recognises women in senior leadership roles within social enterprises or organisations supporting the sector.

The finalists are:

• Emma Williams, Founder and Chief Executive of emwillcare and creator of Less Distress, a Welsh social-impact business focused on dementia care.
• Katy Thomas, Founder and Chief Executive of Mothers Matter, which supports families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.
• Danielle John, Founder of The EmpowHER Project CIC and Team Lead at Cyfle Cymru.
• Sarah Miles, Managing Director of With Music in Mind.

According to the finalist profiles published by Business News Wales, Ms Williams uses behavioural science and artificial intelligence in work intended to improve the understanding and prevention of distress in dementia care. Ms Thomas has expanded Mothers Matter’s services in South Wales and works to support parents dealing with isolation, trauma, loss and anxiety.

Ms John’s work focuses on supporting women affected by trauma, addiction, homelessness and disadvantage through advocacy, mentoring and trauma-informed support. Ms Miles has led With Music in Mind’s work addressing loneliness and wellbeing among older people, including development of the Y Galon hub.

Who are the community enterprise finalists?

The Community-based Social Enterprise Award, sponsored by Cynon Taf Housing Group, recognises established organisations shaping and supporting local rural or urban communities.

The finalists are:

• Welcome to Our Woods, shortlisted for its work involving public woodlands, renewable energy, sustainable forestry, wellbeing spaces and community enterprises in the Upper Rhondda.
• Stori Brymbo, which is transforming the former Brymbo Steelworks into a visitor destination through heritage, education, research, volunteering and tourism.
• PACTO, which has provided accessible transport support in Pembrokeshire for more than 20 years.
• GLL, a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-operative operating leisure centres, libraries and community facilities across the UK.

Welcome to Our Woods is seeking to generate local employment, wealth and community ownership through its projects. Stori Brymbo combines heritage preservation with regeneration activity and visitor development. PACTO’s work addresses transport poverty and rural isolation through local transport solutions, volunteer networks and partnerships. GLL reinvests its surplus into services intended to improve health and wellbeing.

Which organisations could become Social Enterprise of the Year?

The Social Enterprise of the Year Award, sponsored by GLL, is for an established social enterprise that demonstrates overall excellence and promotes the wider sector to the public.

The finalists are:

• Myddfai, a Carmarthenshire social enterprise producing Welsh toiletries, home fragrances and gifts.
• Physical Empowerment CIC, which provides trauma-informed rehabilitation programmes for women recovering from domestic abuse.
• Benthyg Cymru, the network supporting Libraries of Things across Wales.

Myddfai produces sustainable and cruelty-free products, with sales supporting employment and work-experience opportunities for people with autism, learning disabilities and additional support needs. Physical Empowerment CIC supports survivors of domestic abuse through programmes intended to build physical, emotional and mental resilience. Benthyg Cymru’s nomination reflects its expanding borrowing model, which supports access to everyday items without the need to purchase them.

When and where will the winners be announced?

The Social Business Awards Wales 2026 winners will be revealed during a live celebration at Y Muni in Pontypridd on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Business News Wales reported that tickets are available for members of the public and the business community who want to attend the event and celebrate the shortlisted organisations.

The ceremony will determine the winners in all eight categories. The shortlist includes organisations from areas including uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff, Penarth, Pembrokeshire, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Upper Rhondda Valley and communities across Wales.

What is the background to Social Business Awards Wales 2026?

Social Business Awards Wales is an awards programme focused on social enterprises: organisations that use trading, services or other business activity to pursue social, environmental or community objectives. The 2026 shortlist illustrates the breadth of that activity in Wales, from community transport and woodland management to support for families, people affected by the criminal justice system, domestic-abuse survivors, neurodivergent people, older residents and young people entering work.

The programme is connected with Social Business Wales, while Glenn Bowen’s comments were made in his capacity as Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas. The range of categories reflects a sector in which organisations may pursue commercial activity while reinvesting income or surplus into a defined social purpose. The finalists have been selected following the 2026 call for entries, with the awards event now set to provide the next formal stage of the process.

How could the awards affect Welsh social enterprises and communities?

For the shortlisted organisations, the awards announcement may increase public awareness of their services, campaigns and community roles ahead of the October ceremony. It also places attention on issues identified in the finalist profiles, including transport access, social isolation, sustainable consumption, employment opportunity, mental health support and inclusion.

For Welsh communities, the development may bring greater visibility to the local organisations delivering these services and projects. For prospective partners, funders, volunteers and service users, the shortlist provides a public overview of enterprises operating in different parts of Wales and across several areas of social need. The immediate outcome, however, remains the awards ceremony in Pontypridd, where the winners in the eight categories will be announced on 7 October 2026.