Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has visited Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship (PATCH) to find out more about social enterprises and how they are benefitting the local area. The visit was organised by the Wales Co-operative Centre to promote Social Enterprise Day Wales 2015, which raises awareness about the wider sector with the general public to encourage them to support social businesses, helping them to grow.
Mr Davies took the opportunity to talk to the staff at PATCH about the work they do in tackling poverty within the county of Pembrokeshire. Since June 2008, PATCH has been giving free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in a financial crisis in Pembrokeshire and they work closely with referral agencies to help those that are experiencing hardship and escaping emergency situations.
Mr Davies said, “Social enterprises are strengthening the economy, helping tackle poverty and making Wales a better place. PATCH is a great example of a social enterprise which is giving back to its local community and making a difference in Pembrokeshire and I was delighted to visit the team once again to see their wonderful work.”
PATCH Co-ordinator Tracy Olin added, “It was great to show Paul around. I've had a few opportunities to talk to Paul about issues that affect our clients and PATCH as a charity. Paul has helped us with local issues so it was great to show home the full extent of our work. He shows great compassion for the plights of local people.”
The report ‘Social Businesses in Wales: The State of the Sector’, produced by the Wales Co-operative Centre paints a picture of a vibrant sector that contributes around £1.7 billion to the national economy and employs in the region of 38,000 people. It finds that the sector has a high prevalence of young organisations with nearly one in five social businesses having been established within the last three years.
Wales Co-operative Centre Chief Executive Derek Walker welcomed the visit and commented: “Social Enterprise Day Wales is an opportunity for us all to consider the positive impact that social enterprises have in our communities and on our economy. We thank Assembly Member Paul Davies for his support and help in raising the profile of social enterprises and co-operatives in Wales.”
