Tag: social enterprise

Aldi Scotland donates almost 78,000 meals through its partnership with Company Shop Group

Aldi is celebrating a significant milestone in its partnership with surplus food and household products redistributor, Company Shop Group.

In the past year, Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket has now donated an impressive 77,980 meals from its Regional Distribution Centre in Bathgate to people around Scotland, through Company Shop Group, saving an estimated 33 tonnes of food from going to waste.

Community Shop is an award-winning social enterprise that supports 9,000 members and their families in some of the UK’s most deprived communities, by offering access to discounted products and reinvesting the revenue raised into its Community Kitchens and Hubs.

In just one year, the partnership has supported over 2,800 people through its Community Hub development programmes, which provide individuals and communities with the tools they need to live well and the skills to get them back into work.

It has also enabled more than 2,100 people to attend cooking lessons at the Community Kitchen’s Cook Clubs, where they can learn how to prepare nutritious family meals on a budget.

Aldi’s support for Community Shop’s Christmas lunches last year also saw 1,800 members come together for its biggest-ever Christmas celebration, with ingredients for the festive three-course meals provided by the supermarket.

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “It’s incredible to look back at the results we’ve achieved from just one year with Company Shop Group – from saving tonnes of food from going to waste to supporting thousands of families in need.

“We are committed to making good quality food accessible to everyone. After all, it’s a right, not a privilege.

“We’re very excited to see what lies ahead for the partnership as we get closer to our new goal of reducing food waste in our own operations by 90% before 2030*.”

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, added: “We are very proud of our partnership with Aldi and its commitment to helping prevent waste and support communities.

“The scheme has helped us deliver a significant social impact, whilst also allowing us to carry out vital work to save the planet from unnecessary waste.”

To find out more about Company Shop, visit: www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/apply-for-membership/company-shop 

*Compared to a baseline year of 2017. Food waste as a percentage of sales – otherwise known as food waste intensity.  

Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, publishes his first book

Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August

Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.

Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.

In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.

Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.

Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.

“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,

“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”

Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.

This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.

In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.

Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.

Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023). 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.

Books can also be ordered online here: 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Amazon: amzn.to/3JJ4KGW

Deacon Blue star opens new community café and pavilion in Grassmarket

Offering everything from woodwork classes to meals for those who are homeless, the Grassmarket Community Project aims to create a community and provide sanctuary for those in the city who are often excluded.  

The registered charity runs the fully accessible community hub and café on Candlemakers Row where people can pop in for their caffeine fix and something fresh to eat knowing that all proceeds support social good in the area. 

However, with demand for their services growing year on year, and with the café rapidly running out of space, the registered charity secured funding from Foundation Scotland.

An investment of over £375,000 has enabled the organisation to extend its existing facilities and create a brand-new pavilion space hosting Coffee Saints, a larger, bright and friendly café and improved spaces for activities.   

Ricky Ross is a long-term supporter of the Grassmarket Community Project’s work and was there on the night to officially open the space and meet staff, volunteers, supporters and local people.   

Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, offers social investment funding to social enterprises, community organisations and charities. Up to 50% of the funding is through a non-repayable grant, with the remainder through a loan. Foundation Scotland’s social investment team prides itself on its relationship-based support and helps successful applicants to raise further funds.  

Chris Holloway, Head of Social Investment at Foundation Scotland, said: “Grassmarket Community Project secured over £375,000 from Foundation Scotland and we have worked closely together across the last few years to get to this exciting stage.  

“Jonny and the team have worked so hard to get to where we are today.  It’s great to finally have the doors open and get to see inside the spaces which will mean so much to so many. 

“The funding landscape has changed monumentally post-covid.  There are far less available opportunities for capital costs, and building costs are rising significantly.  Yet we know groups urgently need this support to get started or grow. We’ve invested over £12.5 million in 72 organisations across the last ten years.

“This funding, combined with our dedicated and experienced support, has delivered transformational change. We enable socially conscious groups to become more sustainable, grow, and become less reliant on grant funding. It’s a win-win all round, and our impact reporting shows that this funding model works.

“We are encouraging all interested groups to visit our website or contact our team directly to discuss your eligibility”.   

Jonny Kinross, CEO of Grassmarket Community Project, said: “The support we’ve received from the team at Foundation Scotland has been instrumental in enabling us to plan, develop and now finally officially open our fantastic new café and pavilion in the centre of the city.  

“We’re extremely grateful to have received such a significant sum across the combination of loan and grant funding but above this, the team have offered a real partnership approach to the finance, which has been so refreshing and supportive.  

They have taken the time to understand our business, the challenges and the opportunities presented.  

“Like everyone else, our project was inevitably held up through the crisis, but the team have been with us every step of the way.  We are so excited that our doors are now open, and we can’t wait to meet old and new friends for a coffee in the new café.”  

Foundation Scotland’s ‘Investing in Enterprise Fund’ offers up to a quarter of a million pounds in blended finance to eligible social enterprises, community organisations and charities operating in 18 local authority areas.  

For more information, including details on how to apply for the Investing in Enterprise Fund visit: 

foundationscotland.org.uk/social-investment 

Spartans Alternative School students present ART OFFENDERS

ART OFFENDERS is the first exhibition presented to you by CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS

Wednesday 8th December 2021

4pm – 7pm

Spartans Community Football Academy, Ainsley Park, 94 Pilton Drive

This event is FREE

Prior to the pandemic, the young people who attend Spartans Alternative School connected their art with their social enterprise project and named it CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS.

Their mission was to create awareness and positive change while they explored different ways of creating art. This year they spoke a lot about war and the negative impacts that battle and war has had on the lives of our soldiers when they return home. 

This exhibition features drawings, paintings, creative writing, film and 3D work that will be available to purchase.  Specially designed cards, prints and mugs will also be on sale at our ‘pop up shop’. They have chosen to donate money raised, to Scottish Veterans residences, based in Edinburgh. 

SCOTTISH VETERANS RESIDENCES, provides supported housing for former members of the UK Armed Forces who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Their services are located in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.

We look forward to welcoming you to come enjoy some Artwork and support our mission, to raise funds for Scottish war veterans.

Edinburgh salon offers youngsters a head start in business

Social Enterprise Salon launches unique training programme  

An innovative Edinburgh hair and beauty salon is offering school leavers the chance to get a head start in the business.  

Kerry Anderson, founder of social enterprise Brave, Strong, Beautiful is launching a new, unique 12-week training programme for young people interested in the hair and beauty industry.  

The first course begins this month (July) with students receiving two days’ training each week with Kerry and her team – the only programme of its kind to offer school leavers the opportunity to learn in a working salon environment, rather than taking the college route.  

In addition to giving the trainees an invaluable insight into the industry, the course offers additional support in customer service, confidence-building and employability skills.  

“It’s been very difficult for young people looking to enter the hair and beauty business to get any kind of hands-on work experience during the pandemic,” says founder of Brave, Strong, Beautiful, Kerry Anderson.

“But we’re delighted to now be able to offer the sort of practical experience that will not only help them decide if the industry is for them, but also equip them for their first role in the business.”  

Over the next year Kerry, a passionate advocate for investing in young people’s future and making a tangible difference, will provide places for 32 youngsters to train in her award-winning enterprise.  

She set up Brave, Strong, Beautiful as a community interest company in 2019 with a social mission to help young people with training opportunities, employment and mental health support.  

The enterprise, which won the Scottish Edge Award Community Interest Company, currently has two Edinburgh salons – in Lothian Road and Restalrig Road – where the not-for-profit business offers a range of hair and beauty services from colour, cut and blow drys to tanning, waxing and eye treatments, as well as encouraging and supporting young people to forge a positive future.  

“It’s a very rewarding business to be in, and we’re all looking forward to welcoming a new generation of potential practitioners and introducing them to a really inspiring career, in a really exciting industry,” said Kerry.   

Anyone interested in securing a place on one of the courses should contact:  info@bravestrongbeautiful.com  

Scran Academy announce new Chief Executive

Scran Academy has announced the appointment of Darrell Williams as their new Chief Executive. Darrell will be joining the local social enterprise following a period of significant growth and impact in the youth employability and education space.

Previously, Darrell spent five years as the Chief Operating Officer for Edinburgh Science, delivering a range of festivals and education work across the UK and overseas. Between 2011 and 2015, he was Managing Director at Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.

Darrell moved to Scotland in 2005 and spent six years as Head of Sales and Marketing for the King’s and Festival Theatres.

Before that, he worked for BBC Worldwide on marketing, communication and sales campaigns for large scale events and exhibitions. When he’s not at Scran, he plans to be spending time with his family walking up in the hills and serving on the board of two arts organisations.

Commenting on his appointment, Darrell said: “Scran Academy has achieved much in relatively short time. It is an organisation with ambition and passion running through its veins.

“It’s an honour to join them and I’m looking forward to working with the team to further grow and develop the organisation’s projects, partnerships and plans.”

Scran Academy Founder, John Loughton said: “The staff team, Trustees and young people are delighted to welcome Darrell to the Scran family!

“The barriers that young people face in our most overlooked communities have only been exacerbated during two national lockdowns. As society begins to emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to Darrell’s leadership and commitment in building a strong voice for our young people.

“His experience and insight will be invaluable as we embark on the next phase of our mission.”

Darrell will commence as Chief Executive at the beginning of June and will begin working on the delivery of an ambitious strategy for Scran Academy stakeholders.

Foundation Scotland introduces social investment funding

Major funder announces integration with Resilient Scotland creating significant social investment opportunities to help Scotland recover

Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, is extending its dedicated support for the third sector.  The major grant funder now offers innovative social investment opportunities to social enterprises in Scotland.

The move comes as Foundation Scotland and Resilient Scotland announce their integration.  Social investment, offered through the experienced Resilient Scotland team, will expand on the community foundation’s core grantmaking services providing access to a greater range of funding options.

The new ‘Investing in Enterprise Fund’ offers between £10,000 and £500,000 to social enterprises as blended finance. Up to 50% of the funding will be through grants with the remainder through loans, enabling them to become more sustainable, accessing opportunities less reliant on grant funding. Support will help successful applicants to raise funds and only repay part of the total sum. Foundation Scotland will reinvest all returned funds for additional social investment.

Chris Holloway, formerly Head of Resilient Scotland and now Head of Social Investment at Foundation Scotland, said: “The integration of Resilient Scotland into Foundation Scotland makes perfect sense for us as an organisation.  However, most importantly, the move will offer significant benefits to Scotland’s thriving social enterprises. 

“Collectively our knowledge, support and experience will enhance the holistic support provided to Scotland’s social enterprises.  Groups will be able to come to Foundation Scotland for traditional grants, which they continue to need, and now also innovative investment opportunities. 

“This is great timing for us as we paused all new support through the pandemic; instead, we have focussed our support on our existing investees.  A huge thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund for their continued support over the past 9 years.

“For now, it’s business as usual for our current investees, and we very much look forward to opening our doors to new investees.”

Giles Ruck, Chief Executive of Foundation Scotland, said: “Across the last few years, we have witnessed a shift change from our donors.  They have understood that the funding landscape is changing, and they’ve shown an increased appetite to provide communities with wider, longer-lasting funding opportunities. 

“Across our 25-year history, we’ve never been needed more.  We understand that the sector needs our committed, innovative support to  help them build back better.  Our integration with Resilient Scotland will support this and will bring many benefits to the third sector. 

“We are encouraging all social enterprises that are looking for additional investment to visit our website or contact our team directly to discuss your eligibility”. 

Foundation Scotland is offering new social investment opportunities across 13 of the most disadvantaged local authority areas across Scotland. The Foundation expects to extend the service to the whole of Scotland at a later date, and welcome even more new enterprises to Foundation Scotland.

Later this month, the Foundation will be publishing a full evaluation highlighting the impact of Resilient Scotland’s social investments since 2012.

For more information, including details on how to apply for the Investing in Enterprise Fund visit: foundationscotland.org.uk/social-investment

Invisible Cities: 500 miles, 5 cities, celebrating 5 years of helping those affected by homelessness

To celebrate 5 years of Invisible Cities, the team are inviting all supporters, friends, partners and customers to take part in a virtual mile-covering challenge, whilst raising vital funds for their social enterprise  

Invisible Cities, the social enterprise operating in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and York, trains people who have previously  experienced  homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city.

The social enterprise is now inviting supporters, friends, customers and partners to take part in a virtual mile-covering challenge, to celebrate Invisible Cities turning 5.  

From April – July there are 4 legs (one per month) that collectively make-up 500 miles as participants virtually move between Invisible Cities locations. Participants are invited to sign up for one leg, or all 4 and the challenge is to complete the number of miles required for that leg, within the month.   

Each leg varies in distance, so there’s something for everyone, from absolute beginners to fitness enthusiasts alike. The challenge can also be enjoyed as individual or in teams of up to 6, to reach the target miles. People can also choose between walking, running, cycling and swimming when it comes to how they decide to cover the mile target.     

The purpose of Invisible Cities’ virtual fundraiser is to connect individuals with other like-minded people all over the UK to raise money for those affected by homelessness.   

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities said: “After a full year of being stuck indoors, getting outside to exercise is more important for our mental health than ever before.

“As COVID-19 has had a huge impact on homelessness, we thought we’d combine the benefits of outdoor activity with the effort to help support those experiencing homelessness through the pandemic. We really don’t think we could have found a better way to celebrate our 5th birthday!”  

To be part of the latest Invisible Cities initiative participants simply need to fill the form which can be found on the social enterprise’s official website, pay the £10 entry (100% of which will support their work to help combat homelessness) and all details for the challenge will then be emailed directly to them.  

As part of the initiative, Invisible Cities will also set up a personal Go Fund Me account for all ‘challengers’ to share and collect sponsorship and much-needed encouragement from friends and family, and the team will share fun updates about history and homelessness organisations depending on the point reached on the virtual journey.  

They will also receive access to the official Invisible Cities Strava group to track miles and become part of their community as well as receiving virtual updates showing where they are on their journey.   

For more information and to register for the virtual miles-covering challenge visit:   

https://invisible-cities.org/news/2021/500-miles-5-cities-celebrating-5-years-of-invisible-cities

Towergate launches search for local teens with community-changing ideas for £20,000 prize

Teens from across Scotland with bright ideas for their communities are being encouraged to apply  for a new £20,000 Bright Future Prize – to help them change the world around them for the better.  

The Bright Future Prize is an initiative from Ardonagh Community Trust (ACT), the charity arm of the parent company that  owns local insurance firm Towergate.  

Stephen Boyd, Regional Managing Director, explained: “Having joined the ACT board in 2021 as a  representative, I’m delighted to showcase this new venture supporting young people and their  aspirations for the good of the community. 

“The charity is looking for 15-19-year olds who are the next generation of community leaders,  charity fundraisers, blue-sky thinkers or social activists. The Bright Future Prize is open to young  people across the UK and Ireland who are passionate about, and actively working to make a  difference in a community of their choice.  

“Young people see the world differently, and their innovative ideas can help impact positive change  for the future. It’s this ingenuity that ACT wants to support, opening up opportunities for young  people who are already making positive waves in their communities. 

“You could have a great idea for your own social enterprise supporting a charitable cause, you might  have a community project in mind, maybe you want to raise money for a specific charity – or maybe  you want to learn more and teach more about making a difference”. 

Applications for the Bright Future Prize are now open until 21 May. There are small grants alongside the £20,000 main prize available for the best ideas, and winners will get support to put them into  motion.  

Find out more and make your application at:

https://www.ardonaghtrust.org/bright-future-prize

Napier students launch products at Scottish Design Exchange

Products will be on sale at George Street store in run-up to Christmas

Design students from Edinburgh Napier University will have their products on sale to the public in the lead-up to Christmas thanks to a link-up with a social enterprise that champions local creative talent.

The Scottish Design Exchange – which has two stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow – has offered the students the chance to create and sell their own designs – commission free – at its George Street store in the Scottish capital.

The organisation sells exquisitely designed products by artists living in Scotland. Every penny spent by its customers goes directly to those who create. This festive period, its Edinburgh store will welcome works from a number of Edinburgh Napier students.

Two students’ products are already available in the outlet – third year product design student Melissa Halliday’s range of unique totes bags and face masks printed from original acrylic prints and second year product design student Sara Kloszinska’s original illustrations inspired by nature.

They will soon be followed by work from three fourth year graphic design students – Rory Bain, Dan Brady and Yusra Quereshi.

This link-up is the latest development in the partnership between the University and the Scottish Design Exchange.

After first coming together during the Edinburgh Napier Creative City Challenge in 2017, the product sale has been led by Scottish Design Exchange’s Lynzi Leroy, with the University’s Design Society visiting the George St store, and working with Leith-based Bare Branding, as part of the research and product design phases of the project. 

Lynzi Leroy of Scottish Design Exchange said: “I am delighted to be working on this project with Edinburgh Napier to help the product design and graphic design students gain experience in selling their products in a retail environment.

“It is a vital that part of their learning includes how to price their products and get customer feedback. Working with the Scottish Design Exchange team, we will help them do just that. There is no better learning process than selling or not selling a product. This teaches you how to adapt and change your design or pricing if required, before taking it to a wider market.”

Claire Bee, employer engagement partner at Edinburgh Napier, said: “Edinburgh Napier is delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Design Exchange to showcase the creativity and talent of our students.

“The generosity of Scottish Design Exchange has given our students the unique opportunity to showcase their creativity, develop entrepreneurial skills, sell their products, and put their learning into practice.”