On 11th July 2017 The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise in Wales (PRIME Cymru) hosted their annual PRIME Cymru Awards event, celebrating the diversity and success of the businesses that it has supported recently, as well as the dedication of their volunteer mentors.
On the day, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Founder and President of PRIME Cymru, met with people aged over 50 who have set up their own businesses in Wales with the charity’s help. The Prince of Wales presented the four over all winners in the four categories of New Business, Growth Business, Green Business and Mentor of the Year with a cut glass vase at the ceremony.
In front of a delighted audience of 120 guests in Craig-y-Nos Castle, Powys His Royal Highness said:
“I am really so impressed by what PRIME Cymru is able to achieve…to enable people to fulfil their dreams after they have had very often a difficult time being made redundant or whatever… “
His Royal Highness went on to say:
“In Wales, more than 1 in 3 of all older people over 50 to retirement age are currently not working, and this is a total of around 210,000 people…In addition, the number of people over the age of 50 who are considered not in education, employment or training is over 4 times the number of those in the 16 to 24 age group, the age group my Prince’s Trust Group is dealing with. So, what I am really pleased about is to be able to deal with both ends of the spectrum, as frequently people don’t realise how many over 50’s are in these difficult situations.
Research shows that around one third of all those currently economically inactive [and aged over 50] would actually like to work, and that’s the point. But bespoke services for the 50 plus age group to assist with addressing what are often multiple barriers, is not always so easy to find, which is another reason why PRIME Cymru I think is of such importance.
I particularly want to congratulate all the people who won the awards today and also wanted to say all those who haven’t won an award are equally important and are making a huge contribution to the life of the economy of Wales. Llongyfarchiadau.”
PRIME Cymru is a registered charity and the only organisation in Wales dedicated to providing practical support to people aged 50 and over to help them find work or set up in business. The charity has helped thousands of people in Wales set up their own businesses or find employment and provides tailored one to one support through its dedicated staff and team of over 400 volunteer mentors.
Presenting the 2017 PRIME CYMRU AWARDS WINNERS:
Sponsored by Warren Davies Property
Nic Williams / Llandrindod Wells
New Business Award
Sponsored by Powys County Council
After working in a variety of people-orientated and hospitality jobs, which led to her suffering from mental health problems, Nic saw a niche in the market and decided to use her skills to develop her own business idea. Nic’s business supports people in their home and lifestyle by doing gardening, decorating, dog walking, cleaning, de-cluttering and accompanying people on outings. She is inundated with requests for her services and her thriving business has made her feel happier than she has ever felt in her life.
Alex Holland / Mental Rentals / Machynlleth
Green Business Award
Sponsored by Abaca Organic Welsh Wool Mattresses
After being made redundant Alex decided to set up a business using his home in the Cambrian Mountains. Mental Rentals is unique holiday rental accommodation including a vintage caravan and a 24ft long clinker built boat on a hillside 750ft above sea level. The accommodation is all made from upcycled or recycled materials, powered using solar panels and heated by antique wood burners using wood from local farms. Alex also won the prestigious Shed of the Year Award in 2013.
Dave Marchant / Coedcae Services / Bridgend
Growth Business Award
Sponsored by Walker Cambria Investment Management
Dave Marchant gave up a lucrative job in IT to start Coedcae Services, doing all kinds of tree surgery and woodland management and supplying locally sourced kiln-dried logs for firewood. The business has expanded dramatically in the past year and as well as taking on bigger contracts for golf courses and large woodlands, Dave is now looking for new premises.
Rob Challenger / PRIME Cymru Mentor / Pembrokeshire
Mentor of the Year 2017 Award
Sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Having worked in banking for the past 20 years, Rob was looking for a new challenge, something that would help his own personal development whilst giving something back. Becoming a PRIME Cymru mentor offered him the opportunity to empower people to see a future, through giving up a little bit of his time.
For more information and photographs of the PRIME Cyrmu Awards event, please visit: