We have funded a wide range of new start enterprises across Scotland that have gone on to win awards, create jobs and deliver real social benefits to people and communities.
Read our case studies below to find out more about some of the social entrepreneurs who have benefited from our awards. You'll also find a list of recent awardees in the Downloads box on this page.
Kyle Wilson, Generate Radio, Scottish Borders (Level 1 & Level 2 Awardee)
Kyle and Oscar McAndrew are both 18 years old and live in Duns in the Scottish Borders and have written this case study in their own words. Generate Radio C.I.C. was set us as a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee in May 10. We set up the radio station due to the fact that there was no creative media ...
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George Bruce, Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, Argyll & Bute ( Level 1 & Level 2 Awardee)
George is 71 years old and lives in Dunoon in Argyll and Bute and has written this case study in his own words. Ardroy was originally owned and then closed by Fife Council due to lack of funding and staff were made redundant. Due to my understanding of the importance of outdoor education centres, I could not allow it to ...
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Robbie Forsyth, Youth Football Scotland, Edinburgh (Level 1 and Level 2 Awardee)
Robbie is 24 years old and live in Edinburgh and has written this case study in his own words. Myself and my colleague, Brian McNally, had been involved in youth football for a number of years in a number of different capacities. We felt there was a gaping hole for something to be put together that integrates the entire community ...
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Debbie Muir, All Together Edinburgh, Edinburgh (Level 1 and Level 2 Awardee)
Debbie is 41 years old and lives in Edinburgh and has written this case study in her own words. I recognised that there was a lack of organisations providing training and employment opportunities in the field of retail for people with learning disabilities. I learnt of this gap during my 13 years in charity retailing when asked constantly by many ...
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Mikey McManus, Oban Phoenix Cinema, Oban (Level 2 Awardee)
Mikey is 36 years old and lives in Oban and has written this case study in his own words. I had recently moved to the area and learnt through my fiancée that the cinema was closed, however a small group of volunteers were in the process of buying it back. I offered my help and designed their logo and website. ...
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Ian Pert, Hedz Up, Angus (Level 1 Awardee)
Ian is 45 years old and live in Angus and has written this case study in his own words. I previously worked as an outdoor instructor and, unlike others, recognised that it is not only about teaching climbing – it is about teaching life skills. This, combined with under-used space in my local area, inspired me to set up Hedz-Up. ...
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Jan McLaughlin Mack, VIP Youth Academy of Arts, North Lanarkshire (Level 1 and Level 2 Awardee)
Jan is 60 years old and live in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire and runs VIP Youth Academy with Gail Brown, this case study is written in their own words. We (Jan Mack and Gail Brown) were inspired to set up our organisation to fill a perceived gap in the market. We knew that there were no other similar facilities or activities ...
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Lois Cameron, Talking Mats, Stirlingshire (Level 2 Awardee)
Lois is 54 year old and live in Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire and runs Talking Mats with Joan Murphy and this case study is written in their own words. Lois and I are speech and language therapists. From the research conducted and feedback from people, we knew we had something really useful and were keen to start an organisation ...
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Billy Zima, Idenity Artworks, Edinburgh (Level 1 and Level 2 Awardee)
Billy is 50 years old and lives in Edinburgh and has written this case study in his own words. Identity Artworks provide creative and practical activities and realistic conversations with young people that challenge them to think about their possible selves, their current and future place in the world, and their successful path forward. One of the reasons Identity was ...
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Liz Strange, Strange Theatre, Edinburgh (Level 1 and Level 2 Awardee)
Liz is 31 years old and lives in Edinburgh and has written this case study in her own words. As a professional actor and community educator with strong social values, I saw that the performing arts talent that exists in Scotland is not being used to its full potential, and is being exploited. I also found it increasingly frustrating that ...
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