Growth opportunities for businesses as first ever Social Enterprise Marketplace event comes to Bridgend County Borough

Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to connect with social enterprises, trading charities, community organisations and many others across Bridgend County Borough and beyond.

Hosted by Cwmpas and Bridgend County Borough Council on 20 September, the event will take place at the community-owned Bryncethin Community Centre and is the first of its kind in Bridgend County Borough.

This free in-person event is for procurement teams and buyers from public and private sectors and will provide an opportunity to find out about what the social enterprise sector has to offer.

Exhibitors will showcase the wide range of goods and services which the South Wales social enterprise sector has to offer. 

The event brings together social enterprises, community organisations, entrepreneurs and buyers from the public, private, and third sectors to create lasting trading connections. One attendee will be Manumit Coffee Roasters, an ethical social business which offers employment, training and support to survivors of modern slavery as they rebuild their lives.  

Working in partnership with organisations such as Cwmpas is a key part of our support for businesses and it’s really refreshing to see a brand-new event coming to the county borough in the form of a Social Enterprise Marketplace.

It’s also pleasing to see that such a wide range of services will be represented at the event including catering, marketing, construction, food pantries, support for care leavers, Self-defence for women and much more.

Many local businesses have already attended workshops and masterclasses from Cwmpas in recent months and this is yet another opportunity to gain invaluable contacts across a range of sectors.

Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development & Housing

Martin Downes FRSA, Learning and Development Lead at Cwmpas and Project Lead for the Bridgend Social Enterprise Support Programme, said: “Social enterprises like Manumit give a taste of the strong commercial offer social enterprises across south Wales are bringing to market. So much can be achieved when businesses work to tackle social issues and make an impact for good.  

“Since December last year, Cwmpas has delivered workshops, events, and one-to-one business support sessions, helping social enterprises to network, grow and connect throughout Bridgend County Borough and Wales.   

“We are delighted to be working with Bridgend County Borough Council to host the Bridgend Social Enterprise Marketplace Event. It’s a great opportunity for exhibitors and delegates to see the range of products and services on offer in Bridgend County Borough, and to develop supply and delivery networks. 

“As businesses seek to build on environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities and to develop the circular economy locally, this is the perfect opportunity to make supply chains work for the good of communities.” 

The Bridgend Social Enterprise Support Programme is funded by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and the project is due to run until the end of March 2025. 

Please visit Eventbrite to secure your free tickets for the Social Enterprise Marketplace. One-to-one business support will also be available.