Àrachas³ is a social enterprise set up to provide legal support and capacity building to social enterprises, ethical businesses and the wider third sector. We want to strengthen and support organisations to achieve their goals and benefit their communities. We are passionate about supporting organisations and want to empower, educate and create a culture of good practice, collaboration and build capacity of the sector and all organisations and individuals within it. We will do this by offering a range of support services, resources, and legal advice that is bespoke to each of our clients and provides a holistic approach to service delivery.
Business Stage: Community looking to trade
Volunteer Centre East Lothian is a Third Sector Interface (TSI) for East Lothian. We provide support, learning and development opportunities for both Individuals and organisations through our volunteering, organisational Support, and community teams. We have one mission at heart: to build empowered, resilient communities within a thriving third sector. We promote and encourage informal learning, leadership development and community capacity building across our services.
Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network (FVSEN) and Online Directory is an innovative and easy-to-access way to source and ensure you are buying local goods and services with social, ethical and environmental benefits. The Network is supported by the three TSIs across Forth Valley. It is free to join for any community or social enterprise operating in Forth Valley registered with the TSIs and acts as a forum for peer support and information sharing; a voice to the social enterprise sector; and offers potential for inter-trading and engagement with policy makers, funders and other strategic partners. Alternate monthly meetings are held for Network members with a bulletin sent out in the alternate month.
West Lothian Social Enterprise Network (WLSEN) is a membership network composed of leaders in social enterprise in West Lothian. Social enterprises help our communities thrive socially, environmentally and economically. We are proud of our diverse ecosystem of organisations covering sectors from cleaning and environmental management, to care services, employment and training, food, theatre, community, housing, children & young people, older people, business development, and so much more!
The third sector encompasses social enterprises, small community groups and voluntary organisations/charities. We provide advice, guidance and support to new, emerging and established third sector organisations on a broad range of topics and activities.
Our vision is for inclusive, more prosperous, better educated, and healthier communities on the Island of Lewis in particular and across the Outer Hebrides in general. We work closely with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), the Scottish Government and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) on matters of governance, good practice, and ensuring effective third sector service delivery. We provide face to face advice on issues including governance, funding, volunteer support, PVG schemes, project development, organisational health checks, charitable status, dispute resolution and barriers to employment.
OHSEP offers practical support to social enterprises across the Hebrides, and is a partner on the Western Isles Third Sector Interface – TSI Western Isles. We help the Scottish Government meet its national outcome, ‘that social enterprise develops and grows’. We do this by acting as a voice for social enterprises, providing one to one guidance to social enterprises and aspiring social entrepreneurs (e.g. sign-posting for business planning, feasibility studies, legal structures, sources of finance, marketing); and attending regular networking meetings to provide general advice and updates on current affairs to those managing social enterprises and signposting social entrepreneurs to specialist training, such as employment law, marketing, and other areas.
Scotland Food & Drink are here to nurture, support and champion the people and products of Scotland’s food and drink industry to help deliver continued and growing success. They guide their members to realise untapped potential, to unlock new markets and maximise opportunities. They are committed to strengthening reputations, developing growth strategies and broadening networks which will deliver the competitive edge to members and continued success for Scotland’s food and drink industry.
As a Third Sector Interface, WDCVS holds a unique position in supporting, promoting, developing and representing volunteering and sector activity across West Dunbartonshire. Our vision is of a West Dunbartonshire where everyone can contribute their enthusiasm, skills and drive, improving quality of life and opportunity in our communities.
Volunteer Glasgow is the operating name of the Volunteer Centre – the Centre for Volunteering, Community Action and Employment Initiatives – which was established in 1970. In addition to promoting and supporting volunteering, we have a successful track record in providing community development, befriending/mentoring, training, community care, and advisory services to the general public and to a range of specific client groups across the city.
Edinburgh Social Enterprise supports, promotes and develops social enterprise in Edinburgh and serves as a hub creating social and economic growth. Our mission is to create opportunities for Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise community to develop and thrive, recognising its positive impact on society and the local community.
SVE is Stirling’s third sector interface; a membership organisation of locally based charities, social enterprises and volunteer-led community organisations. We aim to strengthen the third-sector and broker partnerships that deliver real change by connecting people, ideas and resources.
Our mission is to ensure that the Third Sector in Highlands is strong, developing and a valued community and regional asset. In addition to supporting our members across Highland, we also work together with six partners to deliver on volunteer development, social enterprise development, supporting and developing a strong Third Sector and building it’s relationship with community planning.
Plunkett UK is a national charity that supports rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community-owned business. Community businesses are enterprises that are owned and run democratically by members of the community, on behalf of the community. From shops and pubs to farms and woodlands and everything in between, Plunkett’s small in-house team and network of advisers across the UK provide a helping hand to support groups from their first tentative steps, and continues to be there for them, year after year, as the business develops and grows.
Fife Historic Buildings Trust is a charitable trust working with Fife Council, community groups and others to find new users and funding to secure a long-term future for historic buildings at risk. We have helped deliver over £40m in historic environment regeneration projects in Fife, supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities.
