Social Enterprises Get Business Boost from Local Economic Forum

Fifteen social enterprises in the North-east of Scotland will be able boost their business thanks to a new scheme under Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF).

Developed by ACSEF partner, Communities Scotland, the new scheme will see these important enterprises gain tailored business mentoring support to enable them to grow and become sustainable businesses which contribute positively to the local economy.

“By their very nature social enterprises often face business development difficulties,” says Rita Stephen, ACSEF development manager. “While many receive funding in various forms, it is often used for necessities such as equipment, premises and staff. Across Scotland there appears to be little in the way of support to address their development. One of ACSEF’s strategic objectives is to develop sustainable and inclusive communities.

“ACSEF partner, Communities Scotland, champions our work on this agenda and we are delighted that they are delivering this unique initiative which we hope will be extended across the region.”

Communities Scotland has engaged Scottish Business in the Community to deliver the scheme and awarded them £20,000 for a pilot programme which will involve a business health check for the fifteen participating enterprises.

Based on the needs identified in the health check, a development plan will be prepared and the organisations will be encouraged to access a range of workshops and bespoke training organised by SBC with the support of private companies. The topics for the training will include business planning, leadership development, team-building, governance, HR and marketing.

Fiona Malcolm of Communities Scotland adds: “In addition, a private sector expert may be placed within an organisation to work on a particular issue or a business person may be seconded onto the board of a social enterprise to provide a different perspective.

“This type of mentoring and support will be invaluable to addressing a social enterprise’s specific development needs.”

Communities Scotland is also currently undertaking research into the support available for emerging social enterprises to inform ACSEF partners about how best to respond to their particular development needs.

Bill Ferguson of SBC is delighted to be pioneering this scheme. He says: “Scottish Business in the Community welcomes the opportunity to work with Communities Scotland on this project. We are confident that we will be able to use the skills, expertise and resources of local companies to add value to local social enterprises which will result in stronger organisations.”

Social enterprises participating in this pilot include Breadmaker, Pathways, Instant Neighbour and Crafty Thing.