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2010 Women Into The Network Best Social Enterprise winner Deloris Martin from Sunderland Dance CIC talks to bdaily

Deloris Martin from Sunderland Dance CIC collected the Women Into The Network ‘Best Social Enterprise’ award in 2010. She tells bdaily about her business, what winning the award meant for herself and her company whilst she also explains what benefits her association with WIN has brought.

The award is sponsored by Gateshead Council, a keen supporter for a number of years. Heather Lee, Economic Development Manager said “Gateshead Council is passionate about social enterprise and has been supporting the development and growth of the sector for over 20 years. Gateshead hosts a diverse and vibrant social enterprise economy, with businesses spanning a wide range of sectors from child care to recycling, training, arts and health. We work with over 80 established social enterprises annually, employing approximately 350 local people and offering volunteering opportunities for over 500 residents. Collectively these enterprises benefit over 15,000 residents in Gateshead, many living in deprived areas.

“We believe that social enterprise has a key role to play in the development of the regional economy, providing opportunities for employment and volunteering and much needed local services. Social entrepreneurs are an inspiration to us all, blending a unique approach of business skills and social aspiration to bring about real change in communities.

“Gateshead Council has supported WIN for several years, believing it to be an inspirational network that supports women across the region to raise aspirations, confidence and skills to succeed in business.”

Name: Deloris Martin

Business: Sunderland Dance CIC

Award Won: Best Social Enterprise 2010

Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

The primary aim of Sunderland Dance CIC is to use dance to tackle a range of social issues, many of which relate to the health agenda i.e. to use dance as a means of addressing issues of obesity, low fitness levels in children and adults and working with people suffering from mental health issues. Our vision is to deliver health and wellbeing to all members of the community, especially those so often excluded from accessing such activities and benefits.

Our health focus is to provide a service which is part of a preventative approach to dealing with common and chronic illness. A key contribution of Sunderland Dance is the provision to local people of facilities for undertaking structured exercise.

Through our service we aim to:

-Provide wider access to the health and well-being benefits of dance and fitness

-Contribute to a reduction in obesity levels and low levels of fitness

-Provide a stimulating learning environment to build confidence, self esteem, creativity and motivation and promote participation and enjoyment of dance activity

-Use dance as a tool to enable people of all ages to explore their creativity and in doing so, share their experience, concerns and aspirations, and enable them to challenge and celebrate their lives and communities

-Unlock emerging talent which may go unrecognised

-Facilitate projects within communities which would not otherwise have the chance to experience dance.

Beneficiaries

-The general public and those with primary health care lifestyle issues, such as obesity, type II diabetes, poor nutrition and social isolation.

-Targeted age groups: elderly people, youth groups, children and vulnerable adult

-Established social and community groups

-Other health and social care focused social enterprises and user led organisations

-Health professionals and consortia

What did winning the award did for you on both a personal and company level?

The marketing advice and support has been a real boost. We have even brought some of the ideas to our staff training days on team-building and self-reflection. Winning the Award has inspired the company to reach for bigger and better goals. We are exploring ways to expand our business into other areas of the North East and sales of my Love your Body DVD because I am passionate about encouraging women to do just that - to love their body and appreciate that they don’t have to look like a size 0 celebrity to look great.

Winning the award has also helped with funding bids, contracts and tenders because it adds recognition to our work and helps to make our presence felt in new areas and with new funders and commissioners.

What benefits do you receive from WIN and why should others get involved?

Others should enter as it is a great way for the company work to be acknowledged and valued. It helps to publicise all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes as well as the “end products”. It’s also a great networking opportunity and chance to see what other women are doing in business and to celebrate achievements. Good for potential partnership working.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Award is a good way to celebrate the achievements of women in business. Often women are not taken seriously in the world of business and it is sometimes difficult for women to balance work with family commitments. In essence women have to work twice as hard to gain recognition so the award is helping to give value and recognition to all women in business.

Tickets to attend the WIN Awards evening are £75 + VAT (£65 + VAT for WIN members) and include drinks reception, a 3-course meal and live entertainment.

For more information on how to enter or book tickets for the event itself, please email awards@womenintothenetwork.co.uk, or call 0191 385 6619, or visit: http://www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk/awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonny Marshall .