Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI) hosted its Annual Social Value Conference at the Girdwood Community Hub in Belfast recently, bringing together over 300 delegates from across the region.
The event showcased the growing impact of social enterprises on Northern Ireland's economy and communities with Heidi Fisher MBE, a renowned expert in social enterprise and social impact, delivering the keynote speech emphasising the crucial role of social enterprises in driving sustainable economic growth and shared insights from her extensive experience working with over 3,000 social enterprises globally.
A highlight of the conference was the Dragons' Den competition, sponsored by Community Finance Ireland. Social enterprises pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of judges. It was Seamus from PIPS who stole the show and made it home with the £1,500 prize pot to support their Well Bean Café- the first of its kind in NI. It is a lived experience, co-produced, co-designed café and the purpose of it is to provide out-of-hours mental illness and wellbeing services on evenings and weekends to the community.
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Phelim Sharvin, Dragon’s Den Judge and Head of Community Finance NI said: "Community Finance Ireland (CFI) has an ongoing sponsorship agreement with Social Enterprise NI and that sees us being closely involved with their annual conference.
One of the most important parts and probably the most fun part of the conference is the Dragon’s Den piece where we have the opportunity to hear the plans, the ideas and the challenges faced by some start-up and existing social enterprises. We hear their presentations; we judge their plans, and we select a winner. Seamus McCabe presented on behalf of PIPS hope and support and they were the winner of the 2025 Dragons Den. A very worthy winner and CFI were delighted to be involved in this enterprise.”
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