Arts & Business Scotland is an independent Scottish charity. We act as a conduit between the cultural and business sectors, helping to nurture the creative, social and commercial relationships that will enrich creativity and cultural engagement across Scotland. Our aim is to increase investment for the arts from businesses and individuals, while encouraging the exchange of business and creative skills in both sectors.
Sector: Consultancy
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.
Community Energy Scotland is a registered charity that provides practical help for communities, businesses and groups in green energy development and energy conservation. Our vision is of strong, well informed and capable communities across Scotland, able to take advantage of their renewable energy resources and address their energy issues in a way that builds a more localised, democratic and sustainable energy system.
The Melting Pot develops initiatives that stimulate and support social innovation, harnessing the power to ignite and effect social change by connecting people and supporting their ideas, passions and expertise. In turn, we help Scotland fulfil its economic, social, cultural and environmental potential. Our doors first opened in October 2007, after several years of development by a grassroots group of like-minded folk in Edinburgh.
Good Ideas is a free incubation programme that helps people turn their good ideas into change, supporting them to realise their vision in the form of social enterprises, charities and campaigns. Making an idea happen can be a daunting prospect and exploring new ideas is challenging – we’re here to help people test their ideas and make change happen.
Consultancy Services & Products
We share our 18 years’ experience of supporting and stimulating social innovation via our consultancy services and products. Whether you’re setting up a new coworking space, building a community at your existing hub, or wanting to run a social business incubation programme like Good Ideas, we can help! Find out more about our coaching, training and Etools here.
Calton Road Coworking Hub & Venue Hire
After leaving our previous spot on Rose Street and using research from the Future of the Office report, we secured three floors of space (previously used by Foundation Scotland) right next to Edinburgh Waverley. As well as regular coworking memberships and one-off hotdesk facilities, we have meeting rooms and event space to hire. Find out more here.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership is Scotland’s national towns’ collective; representing and promoting the diversity of our towns and places, and supporting those organisations and groups that have an interest in or ownership of them. Our role is to act as a hub for relevant news & resources, knowledge and good practice, to support learning and community through our events, to influence and share policies that impact towns and to raise the profile of Scottish towns.
At GCVS, we’re here to support community groups, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises with the help and training they need to succeed. By strengthening the voluntary sector, both citizens and communities can benefit. We provide free support in Glasgow for the essentials like fundraising, governance, measuring impact and climate friendly practice. Our paid for services Scotland wide for Payroll, HR and Health & Safety provide in-depth expertise.
CVS Falkirk & District is recognised by Scottish Government and Falkirk Community Planning Partnership (CPP) as the third sector interface for the Falkirk area. We have a primary role in ensuring the continuation and development of a vibrant third sector (charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary groups etc) in Falkirk.
We work with existing social enterprises, and encourage individuals and organisations to be more socially enterprising, through a range of services, including but not limited to start up guidance, idea development, business planning, identifying funders, partnerships, legal and compliance issues, measuring social impact and tendering and procurement. We have a variety of local support options for social enterprises in Falkirk, who are familiar with the social enterprise model and can offer guidance on different subjects.
The Heritage Trust Network is a membership organisation run by people who have delivered heritage projects. Our mission is to help others do the same. Though we operate throughout the UK, we have a strong Scottish presence. We draw together and support the work of community groups, whether constituted as building preservation trusts, heritage trusts or social enterprises. The network provides a platform for members by way of peer to peer support, knowledge sharing and skills development. Our guidance and advice helps groups through the life time of their project from start up to completion.
Organisation information here.
Creating opportunities for the Social Enterprise community in Perth and Kinross to develop and thrive, and recognising its positive impact on society and the local community. The group operates by working collaboratively to improve the social enterprise offer in the Perth and Kinross council area and to promote their goods and services.
VAO supports the third sector in Orkney by providing advice, information and practical services. The third sector is made up of voluntary, community and charitable groups, social enterprises and volunteers.
The Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland (REDS) promotes businesses, social enterprises and the self-employed in Scotland’s rural and island economies. Participating enterprises are included in the online directory and have the option to accept the REDS gift card.
GrowBiz offer support to social enterprises across rural Scotland. We can offer 1:1 meetings with our friendly advisers for guidance and support to help you identify what you need to get started or to achieve your enterprise goals. From talking through your initial idea, helping you to develop a business strategy or identifying areas where you require training and development. GrowBiz also offer online learning sessions so can upskill in the areas necessary to run a successful enterprise, host informal networking events and have an award winning mentoring programme.
South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH) provides support to the planning and delivery of community-led housing and regeneration projects across the South of Scotland. We engage with community organisations to provide long-term support to appraise and identify localised housing needs and to develop deliverable solutions within the wider context of community ownership of assets.
Rural Housing Scotland is a national charity which supports community action on rural housing issues by providing practical support for community-led housing initiatives and campaigning to secure more affordable housing in rural Scotland.
