12 Social Enterprises to watch from this year’s Power Up Programme

Kicking off this year’s Power Up Scotland programme has been nothing short of a success. From a long list of 40 applications, our team has selected 12 social enterprises who are impacting their communities far and wide throughout Scotland. For the next 3-months each social enterprise will be provided with mentorship and support from our partners, who will help transform the business, and in turn revitalise the communities in which they operate.

Power Up Scotland, pioneered by Big Issue Invest, funded by partners, Aberdeen Standard Investments, University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Government, Places for People, Experian and with legal support from Brodies LLP, enables selected Scottish social enterprise with an asset lock to access loan funding of up to £50k. This funding could be vital to the growth and sustainability of each social enterprise moving forward.

This year’s cohort will be one to watch. Below we’ve provided links to more information on each social enterprise and a brief mission statement.

Caledonia Cremations

Fighting funeral poverty through simple and dignified affordable cremations.

The Blankfaces

The Blankfaces is the UK’s first non-profit fashion label aimed at ending homelessness.

Eat, Sleep, Ride

Support people in making positive and healthy decisions for their future through horse riding and recreational hacks.

Launch Foods 

Maximising food surplus by feeding kids in their community with free hot nutritious food after their school day and during holidays.

Back to Back DJing

DJ workshops for those experiencing homelessness to provide skills transferrable to the workplace, putting them the path to getting their lives back on track.

Social Stories Club

Raising awareness about ethical brands and making their products more accessible through carefully curated socially conscious gift boxes.

Frill Factory

A prop rental design company specialising in dreamlike spaces while educating and empowering young women with manufacturing skills.

Grow Communications 

Providing Specialist Speech Language and Communication Therapy comprising of evidenced based assessment and tailored interventions for children and young people, and training and support for families, education establishments, fellow SLTs and other agencies to improve understanding of communication disabilities.

Lily Pads

Lilypads are reusable sanitary pads that are more comfortable, convenient and environmentally friendly than disposables, lasting at least two years, saving 570 disposable pads from the landfill per person.

Green Futures Arran

Offering employment and training in landscape gardening and rural skills to young people, and including employability support for unemployed people who would otherwise not be working or engaged in positive activities.

Dockyard Social

The Dockyard Social Academy is a Cook School Training and Development Centre, which provides work placement into their food market, The Dockyard Social.

Scran Academy

Scran Academy is an innovative catering social enterprise on a mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people.

Better:Gen

Better:Gen reduces health inequality and improves the overall health and wellness of older adults in the UK. Age or ability is no barrier to wellness, everyone is welcome at Better:Gen.