Upmo, the Edinburgh and Lothians-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism, is proud to unveil its brand-new electric van—thanks to generous funding from CrossCountry Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF).
The van was revealed on Thursday morning outside Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Wrapped in eye-catching Upmo branding and featuring the CrossCountry logo, the van reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and sustainability.
The fully electric van is already in operation across Edinburgh, Prestonpans and Gorebridge. It supports Upmo’s network of community cafés, gardens, and student-led retail projects, which provide our students with meaningful work experience, practical life skills and increased independence.
- Upmo Eat: a network of community cafés where students gain hospitality and catering experience.
- Upmo Grow: a gardening initiative focused on wellbeing, food growing, and sustainability.
- Upmo Retail: where students design, make, and sell handcrafted products at markets and pop-ups. Products are also available through our online shop.
“We are thrilled to have this electric van active in our community,” said Mark Smith, CEO at Upmo. “Thanks to CrossCountry, we can now deliver our social enterprise services with greater efficiency and do our bit for the environment.”
Helping to reduce carbon emissions by replacing journeys previously made in petrol and diesel vehicles, the new vehicle will be used to:
- Deliver Upmo Retail products to markets and partners
- Transport produce from Upmo Grow to Upmo Eat cafés and partners
- Transport equipment to student events, including musical performances and art exhibitions
- Offer student work experience in areas like distribution and customer service
The launch builds on an existing partnership between Upmo and major UK rail operator CrossCountry. In 2023 Upmo Eat cafés received CCIF grant funding, with senior executives from CrossCountry visiting Upmo’s Drumbrae café in March 2024. In April 2024 and again in May this year, Upmo students were invited to take part in a work experience day with the catering team aboard a CrossCountry train from Edinburgh to Newcastle.
“Our relationship with CrossCountry shows what’s possible when partnerships go beyond funding,” added Mark. “Together, we’re delivering real impact—for our students and our community.”
Alex Bray, Stakeholder Liaison Manager at CrossCountry said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with Upmo and sponsor this new electric van.
“It’s fantastic to see how this vehicle will help deliver opportunities for people who are often excluded from traditional employment routes, while also aligning with our commitment to reducing carbon emissions.”
The van is helping Upmo deliver services more efficiently and supports the ongoing growth and sustainability of Upmo’s income-generating social enterprises—helping the organisation support more than 160 young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism across the region.
Look out for the new Upmo van as it makes its rounds in Edinburgh and the Lothians!
