Edinburgh University recognition for Edinburgh’s social enterprise champion
Following in the footsteps of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Neil Armstrong, Annie Lennox, Ian Rankin and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and others, Leith resident Jonny Kinross has received an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh University for his charitable works. Jonny has devoted his working life to serving and supporting the most vulnerable in society and is currently CEO of the Grassmarket Community Project.
In 1992 Jonny started out at the Royal Blind School, and later became director of Braendam Family House which provides respite and support for families in poverty and crisis. During this time, Jonny witnessed the tremendous courage and determination of families dealing with stigma and exclusion. He learnt how people, even at their lowest, still have much to offer. This reinforced his growing awareness of the need for agencies and employers to see beyond negative labels often attached to those living in the most difficult circumstances, and recognise the capacity that all people have to contribute positively to communities. From this point on, Jonny committed himself to seeking innovative ways to tackle major social issues.
He was later employed by Muirhouse Youth Development Group to set up a social enterprise training and employing disaffected young people based upon opportunities he identified in outdoor activity markets and underutilised resources, such as minibuses and sports equipment gathering dust due to austerity cuts, and his determination that the talents and lives of these young people would not be wasted.
Based at Craigroyston High School, Jonny founded MY Adventure, Edinburgh’s leading adventure company and youth engagement enterprise, now in its seventh successful year. The community at Muirhouse genuinely inspired Jonny, who said: “It gave me the confidence and self-belief to develop my entrepreneurial streak.” He brings this wealth of experience and personal commitment, nurtured at Muirhouse, to his current role.
Jonny and all of us at the Grassmarket Community Project hold the firm conviction that social enterprise can help successfully transform the lives of individuals and communities, and bring about positive social change. We take an innovative approach to building a community that provides sanctuary and support to its members, many of whom have experienced homelessness or extreme social exclusion.
Our members programme involves activities designed to enhance life-skills and self-confidence, and seeks to develop further positive outcomes such as education, volunteering, and employment. Activities include a wide range of practical, artistic, active and group sessions including gardening, IT skills, reading and writing, creative writing, art, drama, choir, yoga, walking and many more.
Through five successful social enterprises (two cafés, events and catering, woodwork, tartan gifts) the Project enables individuals otherwise excluded from the economy to make valuable contributions to society.
Under Jonny’s leadership the Grassmarket Project is the current Social Enterprise of the Year Scotland, and was the first charity to receive Best Performing Business of the Year (11-50 employees) from the ECC earlier this year.
On receiving his doctorate, Jonny said: “It recognises the place of social enterprise and social entrepreneurs in the UK. I am delighted to see this sector being increasingly understood for its impact and capacity, and its increasing contribution to the economy.”
The award also recognises Jonny’s hard work and commitment to raising the profile of the social enterprise model and pursuing a better society for us all.
The Grassmarket Community Project runs a café and events open to the public, including free weekly film screenings (donations welcome). www.grassmarket.org
Our members are joining Raised Voices, the award winning Edinburgh homeless and mental health charity, to put on a Fringe play this year. Set in a care home, “No Home Like This Place” touches on themes of friendship, loss and what it means to have a place to call home. 50% of profits will be donated to The Tailor Ed Foundation, which teaches life skills to autistic children. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/no-home-like-this-place
Grassmarket Community Project
PICTURE CREDITS:
Grassmarket Project: Ewan Barry, http://teteatetefoto.com/
Jonny Kinross: Douglas Robertson, http://www.douglasinscotland.co.uk/
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