Edinburgh business wins national award for helping householders save £1m on bills

Edinburgh business wins national award for helping householders save £1m on bills

An Edinburgh-based organisation has won a national business award for its work saving householders money on their bills with free energy advice.

Changeworks won Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year at the UK Social Enterprise Awards at New Century Hall in Manchester last night.

The awards recognise excellence and innovation by businesses with a social or environmental purpose across 15 categories. Hosted by BBC presenter Charley Lowe, the winners were announced at a gala ceremony produced by Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK.

Changeworks makes homes in Scotland warmer and more energy-efficient. It gives households advice on their energy use and fuel bills, and helps them install insulation, renewable technologies and cleaner heating.

The organisation has helped more than 40,000 households install energy-saving measures and advised 164,000 householders, saving them £1million in the process.

Upon winning the award, Josiah Lockhart, CEO at Changeworks said:

"It's amazing to win this award. It demonstrates the impact we've been able to have on communities across Scotland and the rest of the UK, making their homes warmer, safer and happier"

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing around 3.4% of national GDP while tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: "At a time of economic uncertainty, inequality, climate challenge and increasing social polarisation, tonight's finalists offer something powerful: practical reasons for hope.

"They are creating good jobs, sharing ownership and opportunity, keeping wealth rooted locally and proving that commercial success driven by a social purpose can strengthen communities the length and breadth of the UK. Congratulations to all of the winners and to Changeworks for their award."

Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said: "Bringing these awards to Greater Manchester, near where the Rochdale Pioneers founded the co-operative movement, felt like a homecoming.

"Whether owned by their members or driven by a social mission, tonight's winners put purpose before shareholder profit. Co-operatives and social enterprises are the good growth: growth that benefits people and the communities around them."

Visit http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/all-about-social-enterprise-uk/uk-social-enterprise-awards to find out more about Social Enterprise UK and their latest Awards winners.

Notes to editors

Photo caption: Josiah Lockhart, CEO of Changeworks, (centre) receiving the Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year Award at New Century, Manchester, 12th November 2026.

Please credit Social Enterprise UK for all photography.

About Social Enterprise UK

Social Enterprise UK is the UK membership body for social enterprises.

We lead the world's largest network of businesses with a social or environmental purpose, working together to create a fairer economy and a more sustainable future for everyone. We exist to be a strong voice for our social enterprise, demonstrating the difference that mission-led businesses are making in the world and influencing decision-makers to create an environment where this way of doing business can thrive.

We campaign on behalf of the social enterprise community, having led public policy for decades and helped to pass the Social Value Act (2012), using the mounting evidence from our comprehensive research to make the case for change. We drive cross-sector collaboration, working with private companies and public institutions to bring social enterprises into their supply chains, helping any organisation to create positive social and environmental impact.

Find out more and join the community at www.socialenterprise.org.uk.

About social enterprises

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose and reinvest or donate more than half their profits to further their mission. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK with a collective turnover of £60 billion and a workforce of 2.3 million.

Social Enterprise UK research shows the sector outperforming traditional business in terms of start-up rates, turnover growth and innovation. They are also ahead of the pack when it comes to workforce diversity and pay. For more information and statistics, see the State of Social Enterprise 2025 report.

About Co-operatives UK

The UK's authority on co-operatives, Co-operatives UK empowers member-owned business to thrive. We provide expertise across governance, HR, training, and networking to grow the co-operative economy, ensuring every co-operative can build strong, sustainable member ownership.

From football clubs and farms to convenience stores and community hubs, the UK's 8,000+ co-operatives share our commitment to a fairer society through shared wealth and member control. Through expert advice and support, development and advocacy, we champion co-operatives and co-operation in the UK and internationally through the International Cooperative Alliance. Visit www.uk.coop