Join the #BuySocial Movement
What is a Social Enterprise?
At its core, a social enterprise is a business that exists to create positive social change. Like traditional businesses, social enterprises aim to make a profit, but what sets them apart is how they use those profits—reinvesting them to benefit people, communities, or the environment rather than distributing them to private shareholders.
Social enterprises can be found in communities, high streets, and industries across the country, from coffee shops and cinemas to banks, bus companies, and retailers. By selling goods and services in the open market, they generate income while tackling social challenges, providing jobs and training, and supporting local economies.
Some well-known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, Belu Water, and the Eden Project, but there are over 100,000 social enterprises across the UK, contributing £60 billion to the economy and employing two million people.
It’s business for good—when a social enterprise profits, society profits.
Seasons of the Glens CIC: A Social Enterprise Making a Difference
Seasons of the Glens CIC is a not-for-profit social enterprise that reinvests its profits to support small artisan businesses, revitalise towns and villages, and bring communities together through markets, retail, and events.
We have evolved from providing services to businesses and local authorities to offering high-quality, locally made products directly to consumers through:
Basalt & Oak – Retail, hampers, and corporate & bespoke gifting, showcasing the best of local artisan food, drink, and crafts.
Devils Churn – Our award-winning caramel sauces, made with the finest local ingredients, available for retail and trade.
Hire Services – Providing gazebos and event equipment to support markets, festivals, and community events.
Event Hire – Delivering professional event services for markets, festivals, and bespoke gatherings.
Princess Taisie – A walkabout character, bringing history and legend to life at festivals and events.
Sampling Experiences – Offering tasting events to showcase Northern Ireland’s best food and drink.
Every purchase, booking, or service supports our mission to create opportunities for small businesses, strengthen local economies, and build vibrant communities.
Why Buy from a Social Enterprise?
When you choose to buy social, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re making a difference. Whether it’s a gift hamper, a jar of caramel sauce, or a market hire service, your money helps fund projects that bring people together, support livelihoods, and make communities stronger.
People have many reasons for choosing to buy from a social enterprise, including:
✔️ "I feel like I'm giving back to society—and bonus, I get something great in return!"
✔️ "Social enterprises prioritise people over profit in a responsible and ethical way."
✔️ "It makes me happy knowing that my purchase is contributing to something good."
✔️ "Buying from a social enterprise turns my consumer choices into meaningful impact."
✔️ "If I’m going to buy something anyway, why not support an organisation that’s giving back?"
✔️ "I’ve been directly touched or involved in the cause supported by the social enterprise I’m buying from."
Every product or service from Seasons of the Glens CIC supports small businesses, local economies, and community projects. Thank you for being part of the journey!
We are proud members of Social Enterprise NI, the representative body for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland. They work to promote, support, and connect social enterprises, helping to drive positive social and economic change.
Find out more about their work at www.socialenterpriseni.org.
Comments