- Chief Executive on New Year Honours ListWe are delighted to announce that Cresco Chief Executive, Margaret Lee, is to receive an MBE from the Queen for Services to Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland. Having worked in the sector for 20 years, Margaret has contributed greatly to developing socially based businesses as well as spearheading projects aimed at helping people into employment.
- Mission Hall Quilts spring classesMission Hall Quilts will be offering a range of classes to suit all levels in the spring term beginning in Mid-Late January 2010. Our fantastic quilting tutors Mary Good, Pauline Openneer and Rena Mc Clean have projects to suit all tastes, Jacqueline O'Doherty's Block of the month continues and a new 'Happy Scrappy Calendar ' block of the month begins. The open 'Quilting Bee' sessions will now take place on a Monday afternoon and the Linus Project returns (this is a free class where the quilts produced are donated to local children in hospital). We are also hoping to offer a range of varied taster classes on Saturdays throughout the term. Please see the timetable for further details.
Ben & Jerry's Partnershop
Ben & Jerry's produce a wide variety of ice-cream flavours which are renowned for their eccentric names. More importantly, Ben & Jerry's are known around the world as much for its commitment to innovation and its ethical trading ethos as for its fun named ice-cream.
In order to succeed, the company follows three missions which all need to be maintained to achieve prosperity.
- The "product mission" states that the company dedicates itself to making fine ice-cream, made from natural and wholesome ingredients whilst promoting business practices that respect the earth and the environment.
- The "economic mission" advocates the operation of the company on a sustainable financial basis of profitable growth. This in turn increases value for stakeholders and expands opportunities for development and career growth for their employees.
- The "social mission" is last but by no means least. Ben & Jerry's recognises the central role that business plays in society and actively works to try and improve the quality of life locally, nationally and internationally by initiating innovative schemes and programs worldwide.
A history of Cresco with Ben & Jerry's
Cresco Trust opened Ben & Jerry's first Partnershop in Northern Ireland on the 12th August 2004. The shop was located in the Richmond Shopping Centre, Derry/Londonderry until February 2008 and was only the second Partnershop Ben & Jerry's to be launched outside of the USA. A second Partnershop was opened by Cresco on the 17th December 2005 at Castlecourt Shopping Centre, Belfast and remains there today.
What is a Partnershop?
Ben & Jerry's Partnershop programme is a form of social enterprise - a growing movement in which non profit organisations leverage the power of business for community benefit. Partnershops are scoop shops that are independently owned and operated by community based non-profit organisations. Ben & Jerry waive the standard franchise fees and provide additional support to help non profits operate strong and successful businesses.
How does a Partnershop benefit the community?
Partnershops offer supported employment - job and entrepreneurial training to young adults who may face barriers to employment. As Partnershop operators, non profits retain their business proceeds to support their programmes.