Gearing up for the Oldham Social Value Summit 2023

Some of the region’s top social enterprise pioneers have been confirmed as speakers at Oldham’s first Inaugural Social Value Summit.

Taking place on November 16, 2023, National Social Enterprise Day, the event will shine a spotlight on how organisations can make a positive impact and create a community ‘that works for everyone.’

The Oldham Social Value Summit 2023 event has been established by multi award-winning Oldham social enterprise, Upturn.

Keynote speakers for the event next week include Peter Holbrook, SEUK chief executive; Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK and Darren Royle, CEO of Oldham Athletic AFC.

They will also be joined by guest speakers Anwar Ali OBE, Oldham’s Social Enterprise Business Ambassador, and co-founder of Upturn; Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council; Andrew Baird, Senior lecturer at MMU; Philip Arnold, chair of GM Proper Good; John Wrathmell, Director for Strategy, Research and Economy at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; and Dr Alistair Craig, Chief Officer, Oldham Care Organisation (Northern Care Alliance).

The Social Value Summit builds on the positive work organisations in Oldham have undertaken to drive forward positive engagement in the social enterprise sector.

Together with Oldham Council, Upturn recently secured the town’s status as the 35th Social Enterprise Place in the UK, cementing its commitment to purpose-led business in the local economy.

The Social Enterprise Places Scheme, set up by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), involves areas of the country where social enterprises and key regional stakeholders have come together to form thriving areas of social enterprise activity.

In a joint statement issued by Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council and Anwar Ali OBE, Oldham Social Enterprise Business Ambassador they said in advance of the summit: “Oldham has a proud history of doing things differently - we’re not afraid to challenge the status quo to change society for the better.

“It’s a spirit that’s helped to turn ideas into businesses and put Oldham on the map as one of the most entrepreneurial towns in the UK.

“And now, Upturn and Oldham Council have worked together to get our town named a ‘Social Enterprise Place’ by Social Enterprise UK. 

"The title cements Oldham’s commitment to doing business for good; creating opportunities for our borough that benefit us all.

“The summit is taking place on National Social Enterprise Day – the perfect time to celebrate social innovation and make a pledge to work together to help Oldham, its businesses, and residents to thrive.

“The best places are people focused. And we’re proud to be putting our people at the heart of everything we do”.

Mr Ali added: "More and more organisations care about the positive impact and value they create in society including through providing training and employment, working towards creating a more equal society, providing opportunities for all, and mitigating their impact on the climate.

"We all want to do our bit.

“At this year’s first-ever Oldham Social Value Summit, attendees can learn from people who are doing this already.

"This is an opportunity to hear from industry experts, social entrepreneurs and the wider eco-system on how to make your impact a positive one.

“This is about putting people and communities at the heart of everything we do.”

Other key speakers lined up for the event include Syreeta Bain, Head of Social Value and Sustainability at Muse; Maggie Hall, Regional Sustainability Lead at Willmott Dixon, and Moinul Islam MBE, CEO of Get Active Community Enterprise CIC.

The demand for tickets has exceeded the places available at the summit and the event was sold out within two weeks.

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