AVA is Aberdeenshire’s TSI, and our mission is to promote the growth of strong, resilient, communities in Aberdeenshire by connecting, supporting, and promoting volunteers, charities, community-led organisations, and social enterprises collectively referred to as the Third Sector. Funded by the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership, and our own Social Enterprise, Magpie (a reuse & recycling facility based in Banchory), the AVA team operates across the length & breadth of Aberdeenshire, supporting volunteers and organisations and social enterprises from Sandend and St Combs in the north, to Braemar in the west and Laurencekirk and St Cyrus in the south. AVA also runs the Aberdeenshire Social Enterprise Network

Organisation information here.

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.

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway exists to promote, support, and develop a strong third sector; develop social enterprise; develop volunteers and volunteering; and connect the third sector to community planning. Our vision is to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and communities in Dumfries and Galloway.

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.

Voluntary Action Shetland seeks to respond to and support voluntary services in Shetland by meeting present and emerging needs, developing and promoting new ways of responding and encouraging people in Shetland to offer voluntary service to their community

GSEN is a membership network of Greater Glasgow social enterprise leaders who believe that social enterprise can transform the economic, environmental, social, and cultural life of Glasgow. By supporting, promoting and developing social enterprise we aim to create an environment in Glasgow in which social enterprise is able to flourish.

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.

Dundee Social Enterprise Network supports, develops and helps to grow social enterprises of all sizes and specialisms. Our staff team can offer direct practical support and advice to existing and aspiring social enterprises in Dundee. This includes help to access funding and loans, procurement and tendering opportunities, business support, information and training.

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.

The Community Woodlands Association is the representative and support body for Scotland’s community woodland groups. We advise and assist new and existing groups with all aspects of woodland acquisition, management and development, produce regular newsletters, e-bulletins and information notes, and deliver a range of networking and training events

The Chamber was founded in 2005 to support and promote the development of social enterprise in the Scottish Borders. We have a passion for supporting social entrepreneurs and work closely with the national social enterprise support organisations to achieve the best outcomes for our members.