A social enterprise offering low-cost mobile handsets and contracts to the third sector has won a prestigious national award.
Good Call, which describes itself as the first dedicated mobile communication social enterprise in Scotland, was this week named winner of the Social Enterprise EDGE (SEE) Award.
The award – funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery - comes with a £80,000 prize, which will allow the company to recruit an operations manager set up a new website.
The funding boost will also support the training and employment of customer services advisors from disadvantaged backgrounds, to be based at the Water’s Edge development in Dundee.
Founded by entrepreneur Colin Loveday, Good Call offers low-cost mobile communications solutions to charities, social enterprises and community groups in the form of handsets and contracts, together with expert advice. The company returns all profits to its partner charities in the form of lower line rental, better mobile handsets, or payments.
Mr Loveday said he was “absolutely thrilled” to have won the award.
“As a not for profit enterprise, we are here to support the third sector and it’s fantastic that Scottish EDGE is now supporting businesses dedicated to reinvesting 100% of their profits back into society,” he added.
“This generous support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery will allow us to raise the profile of our innovative sustainable business model which is focused on helping charities obtain mobile phones and contracts at low cost, allowing them to focus on their main objectives, helping their beneficiaries.
“We hope that our work and this award will also help inspire the next generation of social entrepreneurs who are determined to help address society’s problems.”
Steven Hamill, chief operating officer of Scottish EDGE, added: “Good Call was one of nine very impressive social enterprises to have made it to the Social Enterprise EDGE Final, which is supported by the Postcode Innovation Trust.
“The competition attracted applications from early-stage Social Enterprises that covered all parts of Scotland, so to have emerged as the winning business is a tremendous achievement.”
