We are a social enterprise passionate about empowering ethnic minority women with leadership and enterprise skills. Through our activities, we have become the link between our extensive network of Ethnic Minority entrepreneurs, and those with the potential to become one, in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Business Stage: Start-up
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.
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.
VAA is a community development agency committed to positive social change and also a delivery agency of the Third Sector Interface service as within our funding from Scottish Government. Our work includes providing a Third Sector interface role, a community development function and, as a key organisation, in empowering communities and combatting poverty. Voluntary Action Angus supports the growth of volunteering, social enterprise and local third sector development.
Midlothian TSIs consists of Midlothian Voluntary Action (MVA), Volunteer Midlothian, and the Social Enterprise Alliance Midlothian (SEAM). We provide support, guidance and representation for third sector organisations, including volunteer-involving organisations, working in Midlothian. This includes grassroots community groups, charities and social enterprises. We do this by providing free one to one development support, delivering an annual programme of training, workshops and networking events, distributing news and information via our e-bulletins and social media and running the Third Sector Forum, giving a voice to the sector within Midlothian’s Community Planning Partnership. We also provide a full range of support to people wanting to volunteer.
Midlothian Voluntary Action (MVA)
MVA provides support, guidance and representation for third sector organisations working in Midlothian. This includes grassroots community groups, charities and social enterprises.
Social Enterprise Alliance Midlothian (SEAM)
SEAM is a loose network of social enterprises based or working in Midlothian. It’s role is to foster collaborative relationships between Midlothian social enterprises and ensure they have the support they need to sustainably grow, raise the profile of local enterprises and beyond and represent Midlothian social enterprise at the national level.
Volunteer Midlothian is the leading agency for volunteering development in Midlothian. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or want to promote an opportunity, we’re here to help.
We provide free advice on how and where to volunteer in Midlothian, a database of volunteering opportunities, advice for young people about volunteering – including access to the Saltire Awards scheme – support for organisations to develop volunteering projects and opportunities and promotion of opportunities through our website, social media and our local networks.
Culture & Business Scotland is an independent Scottish charity (Scottish charity SC042631). We act as the connector between culture and business sectors to enable, inspire and support exciting and mutually beneficial cross-sector relationships, to build knowledge, skills, and expertise where they’re needed most, and to champion the impact and value of cultural experiences on all of our lives.
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.
The Growth Impact Fund is a social investment fund, helping fast growth early-stage social businesses to grow their impact. It is a joint venture run in partnership with Big Issue Invest, UnLtd and Shift. It exists to make social investment better for founders from underrepresented backgrounds and their teams. Great social leaders come from all backgrounds, but many have been excluded from accessing the capital and support they need to thrive. The Growth Impact Fund is here to change that. It aims for a minimum of fifty percent of the fund to go to businesses who are already led by diverse teams, and to support social businesses who are aiming to increase their commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion.
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.
