NW Masters – Pride of the region
OUTSTANDING contribution to local communities by business or individuals is celebrated by the North West Pride Award in TheBusinessDesk.com’s North West Business Masters awards.
The North West Pride category, sponsored by United Utilities, recognises outstanding community initiatives and charitable support. The finalists are: The Brink Dry Bar in Liverpool, businesswoman Carole Nash and Manchester’s Factory Youth Zone.
Nominated by business advisers PWC – which has supported the project, The Brink Dry Bar, takes a unique and innovative approach to Britain’s pub culture – it leaves the alcohol out.
Recently visited by the Duchess of Cambridge The Brink, is the brainchild of Jacquie Johnston Lynch, head of service for Action on Addiction in Merseyside.
It was set up in September 2011 to help people recovering from substance abuse.
It is a hub for the recovery community, open seven days a week and offers outstanding food, music and entertainment.
The Brink is much more than a run of the mill business – it is a social enterprise – which means that all profits are ploughed directly back into investing in the business, community and the people it serves.
For instance, nine of the 13 staff members and three volunteers are in recovery, offering these people meaningful work – and boosting their confidence and pride.
Support for a range of good causes and arts projects across Greater Manchester to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds has earned Carole Nash a place in the final.
The retired South Manchester-based businesswoman – founder of the Altrincham-based motorbike insurance company which bears her name – has touched the lives of thousands of people through her generosity.
Committed to putting something back into her local community has seen her support the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham’s School of Music, the Lowry Arts Centre in Salford.
She’s not just supported big-ticket projects – she recently paid for musical instruments for a school orchestra near her home.
Further afield she and husband Fred have personally funded an accommodation centre at The Outward Bound Trust’s Aberdovey centre in Wales.
The Factory Youth Zone in Harpurhey north Manchester is a newly-launched project providing first class facilities for young people. It is funded by the private sector and OnSide, the Cheshire-based charity launched by entrepreneur Bill Holroyd, which secured a £5m grant from the government for the project.
It is a modern venue which provides a place for over 1,500 young people to come together and enjoy the wide range of youth activities on offer.
It is available to all young people aged 8 to 21 years and places an particular emphasis on those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.
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The aim is to support and challenge young people, whatever their background and whoever they are, to reach their full potential. Trained youth workers provide support 7 days a week, all year round.
Factory Youth Zone chair Kate Vokes, a director of property company Bruntwood- which is a major supporter, describes the facility as “Somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to”.
