Triax Social Economy shortlisted for 'Social Enterprise of the Year' award

Triax Social Economy has been shortlisted for the 'Social Enterprise of the Year' (up to £500k) category at the Social Economy Awards, which take place this Friday (November 7) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast.

The nomination recognises Triax’s outstanding impact, innovation, and commitment to community-led sustainability.

Manager Donna McCloskey said: “We’re delighted to be representing our community sector at the awards. This shortlisting reflects the incredible commitment and teamwork of everyone involved with Triax Social Economy - from our staff and volunteers to the people we support every day.”

Born from the heart of Derry’s Bogside & Brandywell community, Triax Social Economy stands as a living testament to what happens when enterprise and empathy meet. Emerging in 2016 from the long-standing Bogside & Brandywell Initiative (BBI), Triax was created with a bold mission - to secure the future of community development by building sustainable businesses that reinvest in local people.

From its early beginnings, Triax has grown into a thriving, values-driven social enterprise whose ventures reflect both creativity and purpose. Its flagship brand, Free Derry Coffee, has become a familiar sight at community gatherings, university campuses, and major city festivals - serving not only coffee but opportunity. A second trailer was recently added to meet growing demand, a mark of both business success and local support.

At the same time, Let’s Bounce, a once-small bouncy castle hire business, has been transformed into a full-scale community events company, expanding employment and training for local people. These enterprises now form the backbone of a self-sustaining model -one where profit becomes a tool for progress.

Over the past year, Triax Social Economy has continued to provide hands-on training, volunteering, and enterprise opportunities for local people.

Through initiatives such as Free Derry Coffee and Let’s Bounce, individuals have gained valuable experience in barista skills, food hygiene, customer service, and social enterprise development. Many of those who began as volunteers have since progressed into employment, further training, or even started their own businesses - proof of the lasting impact that community enterprise can create.

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What began as a vision of sustainability has evolved into a movement for Community Wealth Building, ensuring that the benefits of local enterprise stay rooted in the neighbourhoods that need them most. Through new pilot projects and partnerships, Triax is now helping other groups build their own social enterprises — spreading not just opportunity, but the means to create it.

If anyone locally is interested in getting involved with Triax Social Economy - whether through volunteering, training, or partnership opportunities - they can contact the office on 028 7126 1916 or reach out via our social media channels.