SOCIAL Business Wales is asking residents to support their community and buy social on Saturday, October 14.

A spokeswoman for Social Business Wales said: “At midnight on Sunday, October 15, the old pound coin will cease to be used and Social Business Wales is challenging people in south east Wales to spend their last coins consciously and buy social on Saturday, October 14.

“Social Saturday is a day to shout about social businesses and the amazing work they do in their communities, which include helping people back into employment and making an environmental impact.”

She said Social Business Wales has created routes for each of the four corners of Wales which people can follow throughout the day to enjoy an entire day out supporting a good cause.

Businesses taking part in Gwent include Malpas Court Market, in Newport, offering local produce, crafts and chocolate tasting, and Bedwellty House and Park, in Tredegar.

Other businesses are Reseiclo, in Newport, Ebbw Vale Sports Centre and Market Hall Cinema, in Brynmawr.

Comedian Rhod Gilbert, who is backing the campaign, said: “This Social Saturday, we’re challenging you to unleash your spending power with social businesses local to you - cafes, shops, leisure facilities, wildlife centres, cinemas and pubs, you’ll be surprised how many are on your doorstep.”

The spokeswoman said social businesses differ from other businesses as the profits they make are reinvested to support a social or environmental cause, from creating local jobs and training opportunities to delivering renewable energy solutions and preventing tonnes of waste going to landfill.

“The sector is worth £2.37bn to the Welsh economy and employs over 40,000 people with the help of 50,000 plus volunteers,” she added.

Social Saturday was started in Wales in 2013 by the Wales Co-operative Centre to celebrate these businesses and has gone on to become a UK wide initiative.

For more information, visit socialsaturday.wales