Celebrate #socialsaturday with Co-cars & ESSENCE
*** PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED ****
Co-cars has announced it is celebrating #socialsaturday (13 October) by spearheading Exeter’s first social enterprise pop-up marketplace.
Taking place in Bedford Square Princesshay from 10.00 to 16.00, the event will showcase members of ESSENCE, the city’s Social Enterprise Network. Shoppers will have the opportunity to learn more about a number of different organisations and have some fun to boot!
Co-cars will be bringing along an electric car (EV) from its low-emission Exeter fleet. Members can hire EVs for just £4.75 an hour and more are soon to arrive at both St David’s and Central stations. The company also runs Co-bikes, the city’s electric bike scheme, and will have an e-bike there for people to try.
Mark Hodgson, Co-cars and Co-bikes founder, commented: “As a social enterprise, we’re all about doing ‘good business’ and I’m delighted to be able to support ESSENCE and #socialsaturday with this event.
“Our car and bike schemes give people proper alternatives to owing a car whilst saving them money and helping them become more active. Plus, they get to feel good about reducing both traffic and pollution and ultimately making our city a better place to live.”
Daphne van Run, Network Lead for Exeter’s Social Enterprise Network (ESSENCE), added: “ESSENCE members are a diverse and vibrant part of Exeter’s business community. #socialsaturday is a great way to highlight some of the amazing work they do in helping create a more inclusive and sustainable local economy.”
Joining Co-cars is Cosmic, experts in all things digital, who are bringing a giant doll’s house equipped with gadgets to demonstrate the connected home. Shoppers can talk to them about joining the ‘Positive People’ programme which offers free support and training across a number of fields, including developing and improving digital technology skills.
Chime, who represent the best of the NHS’s hearing services, are coming with the latest camera technology to give people a chance to look inside their own ears. A Specialist Audiologist will be on hand to advise anyone concerned about hearing loss or wax clearance and on the range of invisible hearing solutions they offer.
Exeter Velocities will be there to share their new programme Origins. This is a social innovation and enterprise programme to support individuals and groups within Exeter’s diverse communities so they can develop local solutions to the issues facing our city and help create impactful change. Exeter Velocities will talk about the two roots of support, guidance, expertise and training on offer within Origins.
#socialsaturday is an annual campaign from Social Enterprise UK which inspires consumers to buy from businesses that put people and planet first. Visit Social Enterprise UK to find out more.
