LOCAL charity Warrington Disability Partnership is celebrating after winning the High Sheriff of Cheshire’s Award for Enterprise.
Team WDP were presented with the Award during a special event at Chester Race Course last night (Thursday).
Chief Executive Dave Thompson said: ” After the award was announced we were informed that the Enterprise Award category received the most nominations, we had beaten nearly 50 very high calibre entries from small, medium and large businesses from across Cheshire.
“Just to have reached the shortlist was an outstanding achievement, but when it was announced that we had won, it felt absolutely amazing. We all went on stage to collect the Award on behalf of Team WDP, we all felt very proud.
“Looking back to 2011, just 8 years ago, we knew then that we had to adopt business strategies in order to survive, what was then a prediction of years of austerity. Our response was to launch the Disability Trading Company.
“It’s worth reflecting that turnover in our first year was less than £40,000, and 8 short years later we are on the cusp of topping £1 milllion turnover for 2018/19 (just from DTC).
“This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, including volunteers, staff and board members.
“During this time, we have sometimes struggled to find a balance between the use of business acumen and the values based ethical philosophy of our charity. However, we continue to receive positive feedback from our customers and our partners in statutory services including the NHS and Local Authorities, and we continue to increase our turnover and profitability year on year, profit that is donated to WDP to help support our day to day activities.
“This award underlines our continuing development as a social enterprise, and it will no doubt add credibility to our ongoing work, opening many more new avenues of corporate support,” added Dave, who helped set up the charity more than two decades ago after breaking his neck in a freak sporting accident, playing American Football.
The award comes with a £10,000 education bursary, sponsored by the University of Chester.
Dave added: “Finally, congratulations to everyone at Team WDP, we should all feel very proud in this achievement.”
Team WDP are absolutely shell shocked at the award that we have won tonight – the High Sheriffs Award for Enterprise!! As a local charity, to be even nominated in this sector is huge….but to win- wow!!! So proud of the WDP Team and everything we have achieved!! #HSAE2019 pic.twitter.com/fpgbFcoSm1
— WDP (@WDPcomms) March 29, 2019
