Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
HEATWAVE HITS - help vendors work safely with a summer support kit
Buy a kit
News

Cafédirect named UK Social Enterprise of the Year

The coffee firm scooped two prizes at last night’s Social Enterprise Awards while Madlug walked away with the Big Issue-backed Consumer Facing Social Enterprise gong

Cafedirect

Cafédirect were the big winners at last night’s UK Social Enterprise Awards – scooping two prizes.

The socially-conscious coffee firm, whose products are available in The Big Issue Shop, came out on top in the glitzy ceremony’s main prize to be named UK Social Enterprise of the Year.

The Fairtrade coffee company invest half of their profits, handing over £6 million so far, into farming communities abroad through their farmer-led charity Producers Direct and impressed judges with their re-branding and increased performance in 2018.

That overseas mission also saw Cafédirect walk away with the International Impact award, acknowledging the skills support and financial loans that are provided to 40 producer organisations in 14 countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa.

The only award that went to a public vote was the Consumer Facing Social Enterprise gong which saw Madlug come out on top in The Big Issue-hosted poll.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

The social enterprise takes a ‘Buy one, give one’ approach to its luggage with a bag given to a child in care for every one sold, affording the children “the dignity of not carrying their life around in a bin bag”.

Madlug earned more than 7,000 votes on The Big Issue website to take the prize.

Other winners included Caledonia Cremation – a Scottish funeral directors that tackle poverty by shedding the high price tag of burials – who were named One To Watch while Baby Lifeline Training, The Growth Company and Community Shop were also honoured.

Organisers Social Enterprise UK also revealed at the annual bash that the number of social enterprises in Britain has jumped to 100,000 from 70,000 last year.

The number of people employed in the sector has also shot up to two million people, contributing contributes £60 billion to the UK economy.

Image: Cafédirect

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Feeling the heat?

It's even tougher on the street. Could you buy a summer support kit for £35 to help vendors work safely in the sun?

Recommended for you

View all
'It would be good to know how long we have left': This clifftop community is falling into the sea
Climate crisis

'It would be good to know how long we have left': This clifftop community is falling into the sea

How I made friends with a great oak tree named Quercus
Trees

How I made friends with a great oak tree named Quercus

Home Office extends 56-day refugee move-on period – but it doesn't go far enough, campaigners say
a tent on the street
Refugees

Home Office extends 56-day refugee move-on period – but it doesn't go far enough, campaigners say

Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing
A black woman sitting on a sofa speaking to a psychologist
Racism

Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.