Designed to celebrate voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Salford, the award also hopes to raise the profile of volunteering in the community.
Founded by ex-offender Lee Wakeham, winner HMPasties is a social enterprise that serves local construction and other sites food from its catering van – all produced by people with criminal convictions. Ingredients are also sourced from HMP Kirkham prison.
With plans to expand the enterprise by opening a shop and bakery in Droysden, Wakeham commented: “What keeps me going is that I love what I do, the pride our staff have in what they do and my commitment to making HMPasties a self-sustaining business.
“The (catering) van has given us real presence in Salford and enabled us to create two new jobs.”