The Company

ONUS (NI) is a wholly owned social enterprise and subsidiary of Women’s Aid. They provide training courses, advice and consultancy services to organisations in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors on issues related to domestic violence.

The Issue

The challenge faced by ONUS was a lack of uptake of the “Workplace Policy on Domestic Violence and Abuse” published by the DHSSPS & NIO. In addition the services offered by ONUS were underexploited as a direct result of the lack of acknowledgement by many organisations of their need to adopt a validated policy and implement safe-workplace practices.

The Solution

Through an Invest NI innovation voucher, Dr Fred Morrison from the University of Ulster’s School of Communication engaged with ONUS and identified the need to carry out market research to ascertain the drivers and inhibitors that underpinned adoption of a workplace domestic violence policy.

The Timber Recycling Eco Enterprise (TREE) is a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of wood crafts, corporate gifts, bespoke wood sculpture and wood services.

We are a charity and social enterprise based on the Donegall Road, Belfast. Our mission is to provide training and work placement opportunities for local people while reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

TREE was set up to increase economic activity in the area and tackle specific issues such as the lack of training and employment opportunities for the local community by increasing access to educational facilities, training and improving access to employment. (TREE ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS)

Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) is a ‘not for profit’ provider of loans and support to community organisations and social enterprises in Northern Ireland.  As a charity, all profits generated by UCIT are recycled for reinvestment into the sector.

Since 2001, UCIT has assisted over 100 community organisations and social enterprises in Northern Ireland, both large and small, through providing loans totalling in excess of £16m.

Typical projects we have supported include Enterprise and workspace projects, Tourism initiatives, Rural development projects, Training initiatives, Childcare schemes, Housing associations, Community transport, Environmental initiatives, Sports and recreation facilities and Charitable organisations.

Acceptable Enterprises (Larne) Ltd. was established in 1999 as N.Ireland's first Social Firm. 

Located in Ledcom Industrial Estate  in Larne the organisation seeks to give employment to both able-bodied and disabled people by fulfilling work contracts for local businesses. We seek to provide quality work, at competitive prices, to meet an agreed time schedule.