SUNDERLAND'S status as one of the best cities in the country to set up and run a social enterprise - will be celebrated at a summit to launch Social Enterprise Week at the National Glass Centre on Tuesday December 9.

The city's designation as a Social Enterprise Place has been welcomed by the Prime Minister.

David Cameron, said: “It’s fantastic that Sunderland is recognised as a Social Enterprise Place – a beacon of social enterprise activity. Social Enterprise Week is a great way to raise awareness of the vital and growing role social enterprises play in our economy and local communities in Sunderland and across the country.

"Social enterprises trade to tackle some of the greatest challenges we face, from unemployment to food waste. The UK is home to the largest and fastest growing social enterprise sector and Sunderland is leading the way.”

The Social Enterprise Week event at Sunderland’s National Glass Centre will be celebrated by speakers Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK; Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council; David Donkin, Asst Director, University of Sunderland; Mark Heskett-Saddington, SES; Peter Walls, chief executive of Gentoo; Margaret Elliott managing director of SHCA, Sunderland Home Care Associates; and Andrea Winders, director of enterprise development at Sunderland City Council.

The city’s successful bid for Social Enterprise Place status was led by SES (Sustainable Enterprise Strategies), a social enterprise development company which has helped to create over 3,500 small business start-ups and 245 social enterprises over three decades.