Scotland's social enterprises offered new support to look beyond Covid

Rachael Brown, Ambitions for Recovery programme facilitator.

The initiative, delivered thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and in partnership with investment firm Baillie Gifford, will support 20 social enterprise leaders to “adapt to and embrace the opportunities available to them post-pandemic”.

Commencing in August, the “Ambitions for Recovery” programme will cover topics such as leadership, pitching for investment, marketing and storytelling, strategies for growth and mental health coaching. Alongside virtual coaching and professional mentoring, social enterprises will have the opportunity to access an interest-free recovery loan, as well as grant funding for business support, in part paid for by Baillie Gifford.

SIS boss Alastair Davis said: “As Scotland emerges from lockdown, many organisations are thinking about how they might return to normal, and the challenges that presents.

"For some social enterprise organisations, the pandemic has highlighted opportunities for new business models and routes to market. However, for others, a degree of change, restructuring and investment may be required to aid the shift from resilience to recovery. Our support programme is well placed to support these organisations.

“As Scotland looks to recovery, organisations that deliver goods and services with a wider impact could help us to grow a more sustainable and resilient economy. To do that, however, we need to support them to grow.”

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