A TRAINING company for vulnerable adults has been crowned as one of the best businesses in rural Britain.

Abberton Rural Training was named best rural social enterprise, charity or community project business at he virtual national final of the Rural Business Awards.

The company delivers courses in rural land management, including horticulture, woodlands management, and construction to vulnerable adults and isolated people and families across Essex.

It is the sixth time the Rural Business Awards have been held to showcase the success of businesses across the UK’s rural sector.

This year, businesses could enter in 13 categories, ranging from best rural start-up business and best rural diversification project, through to best rural professional services business and the triumph over adversity award.

The winners were decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies and rural charitable organisations.

Jacqui Stone, from Abberton Rural Training, said: “We love bringing hope and opportunity to our community.

“We love what we do, so it’s a huge honour to be recognised by Amazon and the Rural Business Awards as best rural social enterprise, charity or community project.

“We could not have done it without the amazing team, including our volunteers, participants and funders from across Essex who keep Abberton Rural Training going – so a big thank you goes to them for helping us win this national award.”

John Boumphrey, UK country manager for Amazon, said: “It’s an honour to support the Rural Business Awards’ efforts to showcase the incredible talent of British rural business.

“On behalf of Amazon, I would like to congratulate Abberton Rural Training on this achievement, and I wish them further success in the future.”

Co-founder of the Rural Business Awards Anna Price added: “On behalf of the Rural Business Awards, I would like to congratulate Abberton Rural Training on this well-deserved win. I would also like to extend my congratulations to all the businesses who made it to the final and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

Entries are now open for the next awards, to find out more, visit ruralbusinessawards.co.uk.