Third Sector Enterprise Fund announces first awards

Third Sector Enterprise & Credit Union Funds

Summary of Proposals Approved Under Delegated Authority

Aberdeen Forward – is an environmental charity working in the field of sustainable development and is being offered £58,860 to make capital improvements at its recently purchased premises and to develop its marketing plan in order to increase its customer base and income generation potential. 
 

Capital Credit Union – is being offered £69,000 to deliver a partnership initiative involving Discovery Credit Union, Grampian Credit Union and Kingdom Credit Union.  The investment will provide a Financial Education Officer to support the four Credit Unions who are also receiving DWP Growth Fund.  Overall this project will help to develop the long term sustainability of the DWP Growth Fund investment, as well as building the capacity of the organisations involved and improving the quality of life of Credit Union members and beneficiaries. 
 

Changeworks – Resources for Life – is a rapidly growing energy and recycling enterprise based in Edinburgh and is being offered £67,500 for selecting and implementing new accounting and HR systems and software to improve organisational support.
 

Creetown Initiative – is based in Newton Stewart and was set up in 2001 by a group of local people to address issues affecting the area from the decline in traditional industries such as farming and forestry.  Creetown Initiative is being offered £49,880 to develop external revenue generating projects, including a Windfarm.  This income will support the organisation in its work in regenerating their area.
 

Crisis – is based in Erskine and provides professional counselling services to people in immediate need of support.  Clients include children, adolescents and adults dealing with issues such as acute trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, physical and emotional difficulties, job loss, grief, personal loss, addiction problems, bullying and behavioural problems.  The organisation is being offered £65,900 to support a new Business Development Manager post to secure new contracts and repeat business, freeing up the time of the Chief Executive to concentrate on strategic management.  Funding is also being provided for marketing, investment in new software, and training for staff to report, record and evidence outcomes. 
 

Friends of the Award in Edinburgh and Lothians – is based in Edinburgh and is being offered £69,051 to market and deliver consultancy and training for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to Local Authorities across Scotland.  This will initially be piloted in East, Mid and West Lothian.  Partnerships with the business sector will also be developed to identify and provide training and employment opportunities for young people. 
 

Glasgow South Credit Union – has worked closely with New Gorbals Housing Association to secure new premises which are located at the heart of the community they serve.  This will help grow the business benefitting the Credit Union, its members and the local community.  An offer of £24,700 is towards the fit out of new premises. 
 

Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Limited (MeAL) – is based in Aberdeen and provides support to the minority ethnic population in the North East of Scotland.  MeAL is being offered £68,485 from the Enterprise Fund to build its capacity and extend their employment service to cover a wider geographic area to include local regeneration areas in Aberdeen and rural Aberdeenshire.
 

Possil & Milton on Disability T/A The Disability Community – is based in Possilpark, Glasgow and provides support to disabled people within the local community.  It is being offered £68,845 to allow it to extend its hot meal service across North Glasgow and introduce a new community laundry service. 
 

Renfrewshire-wide Credit Union – is being offered £6,000 to develop a strategic plan for growth and create an interactive website that meets the needs of members.  It will allow people who are not physically capable to come into the office to access to credit union services on line.
 

Rosemount Lifelong Learning – based in Royston, Glasgow, is being offered £69,628 to contribute to the costs of employing a Contracts Development Manager to prepare tenders and bids for new services including family support, employability, vocational training and child care support.   Funding will also be used to employ a part time Monitoring Officer and a part time IT Administrator.
 

Sikh Sanjog – is based in Edinburgh and is being offered £69,700 to develop its catering social enterprise providing traditional Punjab food in the heart of Leith, and to provide training and start-up costs in its first year of operation.  
 

 See press release here http://www.senscot.net/view_art.php?viewid=8249