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Bryson announces 12 per cent growth and £34.4 million turnover

Bryson1Bryson’s growth demonstrates the difference that social enterprise makes to the economy.

Bryson Charitable Group, Northern Ireland’s leading social enterprise, has grown its annual turnover by over 12 per cent to £34.4 million (from £30.7 million in 2011) despite the ongoing economic uncertainty.

Bryson is going from strength to strength following its recent win at the Private Business Awards in London as the UK Best Social Enterprise of the Year. The past year has also seen a further increase in employment levels to 663 members of staff across its seven business units in Northern Ireland.

Bryson has been at the heart of nurturing social development for over 100 years in Northern Ireland and its success demonstrates the need for social enterprise and the important role that  it is playing in reshaping the local economy after another difficult year.

Announcing the results at Bryson’s AGM in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, John McMullan, Chief Executive of Bryson Charitable Group, outlined the important role of the social economy across Northern Ireland.

“The results this year of £34.4 million demonstrate the importance of encouraging social enterprise in Northern Ireland and we are committed to building better futures for local people and communities with our work here.  And, Bryson’s recent Queen’s Award win for Enterprise in Sustainable Development across the UK, is a first for Northern Ireland demonstrating that the Group is a true leader in this sector, he said.

“Against a very difficult economic backdrop, Bryson continues to thrive and experience an increase in demand for its social impact-driven services. We deliver 25,700 services each day across Northern Ireland and into Donegal. The past year has seen our 663 talented staff provide 252,000 hours of direct care to over 4,200 people. Nearly half a million homes have benefited from our recycling services, we have increased energy efficiency for over 115,000 households, 34 per cent of young people found employment through our programmes and even our popular water sports centre has become a great day out for businesses, families and young people.”

“Our model is one that we take pride in and it’s great to see that we are not only providing an invaluable service to many people with a wide range of social needs but we are also actively tackling economic, health, environmental, education and housing policy issues to show that this sector can create sustainable careers and provide high quality public services.

“In keeping with our social enterprise model, Bryson also ensures that 94p of every pound spent by the charity is invested into the services we provide and the development of those services, which are then rolled out to local communities.”

Although Bryson Recycling is perhaps the most familiar part of Bryson Charitable Group,  it also focuses on a range of activities that tackle social and economic challenges through seven core business units across Northern Ireland.

These services include social care, energy advice, and training young people for employment, water sport activities, caring for the elderly and supporting ethnic minorities. As well as Bryson Recycling each individual business unit has evolved into a sector leader and provides standards of excellence in 29 locations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in County Donegal.

John added:   “The services we provide are instrumental to providing a better future for Northern Ireland and this year has shown once again how Bryson is indeed building better futures for all through social enterprise.”

To find out more about Bryson Charitable Group, please visit www.brysongroup.org

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