Bonnie’s Cafe is a fantastic wee social enterprise based in the heart of Leith., serving delicious food including all day breakfasts, soups, snacks, home baking, diner classics such as burgers, fish and chips, mince and tatties and daily specials. Continue reading Bonnie’s: a warm welcome in Leith
Award-winning Community Development Finance Institution Scotcash to expand into Edinburgh
Glasgow based social enterprise Scotcash are to make their award-winning inclusive and ethical financial services available to people in Edinburgh for the first time.
With support from Oak Foundation and The Virgin Money Foundation, Scotcash will open a new branch in Edinburgh later this year.
Since opening in 2007, Scotcash has been tackling financial and social exclusion in Glasgow by targeting and working with people who face barriers to mainstream financial services.
As well as offering affordable loans, Scotcash helps their customers to set up basic bank accounts, connect with local credit unions to begin savings accounts, and referrals for vital money advice.
Nancy Doyle, Executive Director of Virgin Money Foundation said: “Tackling the root causes of disadvantage is key to regenerating communities across the UK. Our new fund aims to enable activity that can have a positive ripple effect beyond its immediate context and help community hubs to flourish, learn from one another and export best practice.”
Sharon MacPherson, Chief Executive, Scotcash said: “We are delighted to be awarded funding. This will go a long way towards helping financially excluded citizens in Edinburgh access the financial products and services they need. We know that many people with low incomes pay much more than better off families because they can’t access banking, affordable credit or savings. This award will allow Scotcash to expand our already successful services to Edinburgh and promote financial inclusion across local areas where these services are needed most.”
A further expansion of Scotcash services is also planned for Inverclyde in the future as part of a separate project.
Since its launch 10 years ago, Scotcash has retained over £5m in the community through like for like customers savings on interest and has been recognised with accolades from the Guardian, COSLA, and the Giordano Dell’Amore Microfinance Good Practices Europe Award.
Scotland’s social enterprises can add to their £1.68 billion economic value by accessing global markets, Communities and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance has said. Continue reading Social enterprises ‘can drive inclusive growth’
SpartansCommunity Football Academy website has a fresh new look. Continue reading Revamp for Spartans Community Football Academy website
Communities Secretary Angela Constance hailed the ongoing success of Scotland’s social enterprises at the Social Enterprise Policy and Practice Conference yesterday. Ms Constance also announced a new international strategy to help build on the £1.68 billion contribution our social enterprises already make to Scotland’s economy.
Continue reading Social Enterprise: going global
EVOC’s June Dickson supported the local voluntary sector’s participation in community planning through the Neighbourhood Partnerships. She recently moved on to an exciting new role and explains what it’s all about:
I wanted to get in touch to introduce you to my new role as a Director of http://www.mhscot-consultancy.co.uk/, Scotland’s first Social Enterprise tackling stress prevention and early mental health intervention in the workplace.
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network’s (ESEN’s) mascot Doogie Goodstuff, who promotes great social enterprise products and services across the city with his Buy The Good Stuff campaign, took to the streets of Edinburgh yesterday to sell The Big Issue. Continue reading Read all about it – Doogie sells The Big Issue!
Mascots meet at Easter Road
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff, who promotes all great social enterprise products and service across the city with the Buy The Good Stuff campaign – lined up for a fun penalty shoot-out with fellow social enterprise mascots at Hibs’ Easter Road stadium yesterday. Continue reading Social kickabout at Easter Road
A social enterprise which repairs and refurbishes mobility equipment for elderly and disabled customers became Scotland’s fiftieth Revolve-certified store last week. Continue reading Fifty up for upcycling projects
Twelve guest social entrepreneurs from Edinburgh Social Enterprise’s (ESEN) citywide network shared their expertise with businesses who were successful in winning a place on the Social Innovation Incubation Award programme at an event at The Melting Pot last week. Continue reading City social enterprises strive for success
