Hey Girls has been named a finalist in both the Social Impact: Prove It and Social Enterprise of the Year categories at this year’s UK Social Enterprise Awards, recognising us as one of the country’s most innovative and impactful businesses.
The team beat stiff competition to make the shortlist, which attracted more than 400 entries from all over the country.
The news comes as Hey Girls was also named in the shortlist in the Social Value category at this year’s GO Awards Scotland.
Hey Girls exists to eradicate period poverty in the UK and improve period dignity in the workplace and has donated more than 30 million period products to its 350 community partners since 2018 through its “buy one, donate one” model.
Kate Smith, Director and Co-founder at Hey Girls said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for such prestigious awards.
“The cost of living crisis has brought a rise in the number of people who are living in period poverty in the UK, so our services are needed now more than ever before.
“To be shortlisted alongside so many other incredible social enterprises shows just how much of an impact our work is having in communities up and down the UK.”
Hey Girls will join other finalists and VIP guests at an awards ceremony in London’s iconic Roundhouse on November 30, when the winners will be revealed.
The awards are run by Social Enterprise UK, the leading membership body for social enterprises.
Hey Girls took home the Tech for Good Award at last year’s ceremony for its Pickup MyPeriod app, while it was also named Social Enterprise of the Year by Social Enterprise Scotland at a separate ceremony in Holyrood.
There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing around two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year – while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.
Peter Holbrook CBE, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “Our awards are the ultimate showcase of the impact and excellence of social enterprises. Those who made the shortlist are a beacon of innovation, optimism and resilience in turbulent times.
“These are trailblazers and standard-setters for better business, making profit but not putting it before people and planet – and they do all this under the same immense pressures as other businesses, with the long-term impacts of Covid and a national cost of living crisis.
“The challenges we face as a society demand new approaches and a shift in how businesses – big and small – act. Social enterprises celebrated at our awards are the brightest stars in a brilliant sector, giving us all inspiration and motivation to do business better.”
To see the difference we made in 2022, download our 2022 Impact Report.
