A SOCIAL enterprise has been recognised for achievements in a Flintshire community.

RainbowBiz CIC has won an award for hard work and achievements from the Digging Deeside group which tends to the green spaces in Deeside.

Founder Sarah Way said they will be collecting the award in Cardiff from the Deputy Minister.

She told the Leader: “Our gardening group is really proud to be picking up this award. We are all really proud to have been nominated as everyone works so hard to create the lovely spaces in Deeside for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s also for the planters in Shotton. Someone contacted me asking for more information and said we were put forward for the award. We were made up.

“We are really proud to receive the recognition and collect the award for Deeside.”

The social enterprise has also been recognised by a local photographer who has chosen to give something back to the group.

Mel Cross, known as the Ginger Pixie, said she will be working with members to give her skills as a photographer for the next year and help out when needed.

She said: “This year I wanted to focus on giving something back to the community through my time. This is my chosen organisation for this year.

“I’m looking forward to working with the girls. To watch them grow over the years has been inspiring as to what they do for the community.”

Director Sue Oliver said they requested help for professional pictures that would not have a huge financial impact as they rely on fundraising and funds raised from their hippy shop in Mold to keep the various projects running. She added: “We can’t explain the value of getting professional pictures. It shows us as we are.

“One hundred per cent of profits from the retail outlet go to projects we run and it’s vital we show what we do professionally to be taken seriously.

“We support vulnerable adults in the community and we recognise the support, by not giving money but by giving us time and skills. I completely value that, it’s huge for us all.

“We don’t have that funding at the moment so by Mel supporting us it means we can do more for our projects.

“It’s really powerful stuff and we are grateful. A big thank you from us all but especially the volunteers who it will benefit.”

Mike Dodd, social enterprise development officer for Flintshire Council, told the Leader social enterprises like this benefit from the donation of time and skills.

He said: “Corporate social response these days makes good business sense as opposed to something good to see.

"It’s really good to see commercial business supporting social enterprises in Flintshire in a meaningful way rather than giving them money.

"They will really benefit from the service.”