Sunderland and Bishop Auckland firms given Β£50k Boost Invest
The funding will support the expansion of their social enterprises and help deliver positive change across their communities.
Tracy Fee from Bishop Auckland and Simon Green from Sunderland were awarded the funding through the Boost Invest programme, which supports social entrepreneurs in North East England to secure investment and scale their impact.
Ms Fee, founder of Hiyed CIC, launched the enterprise in 2023 to create employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and autism.
Her motivation came after receiving an autism diagnosis later in life, which helped her understand the challenges she had faced throughout her 30-year career as a mental health nurse.
Since its launch, Hiyed has grown quickly, securing contracts with major employers including the NHS, Durham County Council, and Northumbrian Water.
The organisation has expanded to a team of 20 people, and the Β£50,000 investment will support further business development and sustainable growth.
Ms Fee said: “Thanks to this support, we can continue to deliver meaningful, community-led work that empowers people and is truly life changing, helping to create such positive change.
“We are extremely grateful for this investment, which will directly support inclusive employment and break down barriers.”
Mr Green is the founder of Luminary Photography CIC, a social enterprise that uses photography to improve lives.
Luminary Photography delivers workshops, community projects, exhibitions and creative opportunities in disadvantaged areas, working with individuals facing barriers such as mental and physical health conditions or neurodivergence.
The enterprise, also launched in 2023, has already delivered more than 300 workshops and 800 hours of training, and has directly engaged with more than 1,000 people.
Mr Green said: “This investment is a huge win for Luminary and the East End of Sunderland.
“It allows us to expand our team and give access to employment and education for people facing the biggest barriers.
“Having already supported over 1,000 people, this funding ensures we can keep providing access to the arts and transforming lives across our community.”
Supported by funds raised by players of the Peopleβs Postcode Lottery and delivered by social enterprise agency Firstport, Boost Invest launched in June last year.
The programme offers on-demand workshops, peer learning sessions and one-to-one support from Firstport and local partners including PNE, North East BIC, Social Enterprise Acumen and the Social Enterprise Academy.
Entrepreneurs who complete the programme are invited to pitch for investment from a dedicated funding pot.
Emily Macdonald, head of investment programmes at Firstport, said: “Congratulations to Tracy and Simon on securing investment from Boost Invest in what was a very competitive panel.
“Supported by players of Peopleβs Postcode Lottery with funding from Postcode Innovation Trust, these social entrepreneurs are now well-positioned to expand the social and economic benefits theyβre already creating in their communities.
“We look forward to continuing to support them on their journey.”
Boost Invest provides follow-up support to the many social enterprises previously involved in the Social Enterprise Boost Fund across Sunderland, South Tyneside, and Durham.
The programme aims to strengthen collaboration between local support organisations, build on momentum in the North Eastβs social enterprise sector and channel new investment into the region.
For more information about Boost Invest, visit the Firstport website.