Culture First  the regional improvement network for culture and sport, based at the Brightspace Enterprise Centre  in Ipswich has recently been recognised for its work in supporting culture and sports professionals.
Director Heidi Bellamy will be presented with the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark by Steve Allman in his role of Social Entrepreneur in Residence at the Eastern Enterprise Hub on Thursday 19 July  
The Government defines social enterprises as “businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”
Accepting the business award on behalf of the Culture First team Heidi, who is an Associate Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs said; “I am delighted that Culture First has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, which guarantees that our profits are used to support the culture and sports sector through knowledge sharing, leadership development and projects that help the sector respond to the drive for efficiency.  It is an independent certification that we are in business to benefit society and a testament for our future direction”.
Steve Allman, Social Entrepreneur in Residence at the Suffolk School for Social Entrepreneurs , will present Heidi with the Mark following a Masterclass for would be Social Entrepreneurs.  Steve has a particular interest in culture and sports having previously been Chief Executive of Out & About, a regional social enterprise that includes disabled children and young people in local leisure activities.

Roger Turkington Operations Manager at Suffolk ACRE who run the Brightspace Enterprise Centre said

"We are delighted Culture First has been awarded the Mark;  Brightspace was launched two years ago to offer offices and meeting rooms in order that  people running businesses with a social purpose can be together and grow the social enterprise community in Suffolk and the region. The Centre which is now over 90% full now has three of Suffolks Social Enterprise Mark holders as tennants and we expect more will follow."

Other Mark holders in Suffolk include Suffolk ACRE, Workwise Mentis Tree CIC Museum of East Anglian Life Abbeycroft Leisure Noise Solution 4myschools and another Brightspace tenant First Question Cooperative..

A full list of Mark holders can be found at the Social Enterprise Mark