Forth Valley Awarded “Social Enterprise Place” Status!

Forth Valley and South Ayrshire have been recognised as “hotspots of social enterprise activity” in the latest round of the Social Enterprise Places programme run by Social Enterprise Scotland, where social enterprise can thrive.

This is an absolutely fantastic achievement and recognition for social enterprise in Forth Valley – we’d like to extend a special congratulations to Falkirk’s incredibly diverse social enterprises, and to our partners in the Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network, Clackmannanshire TSI (CTSI) and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE).

(Image caption: the promotional Social Enterprise Places Scotland logo.)

Social Enterprise in Falkirk and Forth Valley

Scotland is home to over 6,000 social enterprises and is internationally renowned for the impact of its social enterprise community. Forth Valley and South Ayrshire both demonstrate thriving and innovative social enterprise eco-systems that are contributing to the regeneration of high streets, supporting communities, and investing in their local areas.

Over 180 social enterprises operate in Forth Valley, including, but not limited to:

• Dial-a-Journey who provide accessible and affordable transport to residents of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire areas.
• Community Focus Scotland CIC, who deliver services focusing on reducing poverty and unemployment in local communities, along with Industry Training and qualifications, and catering cabins across Scotland.
• Bailliefields Community Hub, working to bring the communities of Westquarter and Redding together with a place to connect, by providing opportunities for those with disabilities, promoting inclusion and equality, reducing social isolation, and improving health and wellbeing.
• Pause and Breathe in Bonnybridge who provide wellbeing sessions across the region.
• Bo’ness-based Sustainable Thinking Scotland, working to address a wide range of social and environmental issues within the Falkirk District through their food growing, green waste recycling, and community wellbeing projects.
• Elite Evolution Cheer & Dance CIC in Grangemouth, which offers recreational and competitive classes in cheerleading, dance and tumble to children in the local area from 3 years old and onwards, along with their Young Leadership programme.
• Baby Steps 20+, which is based in the heart of Falkirk’s town centre and employs adults with disabilities in their shop, providing upcycled baby and children’s equipment at affordable prices, while reducing the local carbon footprint.
• Grace Chocolates in Bridge of Allan, who provide training and work experience opportunities for Forth Valley women who have experienced the criminal justice system.

On behalf of the 3 Forth Valley TSIs, CTSI CEO Anthea Coulter said:

“Social enterprises have always been part of the fabric of our local authority areas in Forth Valley – especially in more rural communities. FVSEN – which is a partnership between CTSI, CVS Falkirk and SVE – and its online directory is bringing these wide-ranging social enterprises together.

“Through that process we have seen more peer networking, increased awareness of other social enterprises, and a steady growth of newly established social enterprises. We hope that this award will encourage more people to get involved in using social enterprises and thinking about it as a business model for the future.” 

(Image caption: the 3 TSI CEOs – (l-r) Victoria McRae (CVS Falkirk), Anne Knox (SVE), and Anthea Coulter (CTSI).)

For further information on social enterprises active in Falkirk and Forth Valley, please visit the FVSEN online directory.

Social Enterprise Places

From villages and towns to islands and regions, social enterprises are revitalising communities and making an impact throughout their local area. The Social Enterprise Places Scotland programme promotes, raises awareness and builds markets for social enterprises at both a local and national level.

Douglas Westwater, Chair of Social Enterprise Scotland, said:

“We have heard the difference this has made in previous rounds of Social Enterprise Places and are delighted to welcome these new areas, where the spotlight will be shone on the vibrant and innovative work being done to transform communities.” 

To read the full announcement, or for further information, please visit the Social Enterprise Scotland website.

For further information on the Social Enterprise Places programme, visit the dedicated page.