South Ayrshire has been formally recognised this week as a hotspot of social enterprise activity in the latest round of the Social Enterprise Places Scotland programme run by Social Enterprise Scotland.
Social enterprises are businesses that re-invest their profits into social or environmental causes. South Ayrshire is home to more than 70 social enterprises doing just that, such as Ayr Gaiety Partnership, a community-based professional theatre, increasing individual and community well-being through performing arts; Narture, an artist collective and creative hive, making participatory cultural activities available to everyone; Community Gift Exchange, a reuse shop which helps people experiencing barriers to work access sustainable employment; South Ayrshire Community Transport who are working to improve transport needs across the region; and North Carrick 2030, who are developing community-led economic development and regeneration projects, transforming the lives of local people.
Social Enterprise Places are areas where social enterprise activity thrives, from villages and towns to islands and regions. South Ayrshire is a fantastic example of social enterprises revitalising communities and impacting the local area by regenerating high streets, connecting and collaborating as part of community-led tourism strategies, or directly funding community projects and organisations.
The Social Enterprise Places programme recognises social enterprises‘ impact in communities across Scotland and aims to promote, raise awareness, and build markets for social enterprises.
Jeremy Wyatt, Chair of South Ayrshire Social Enterprise Network, says: “On behalf of the South Ayrshire Social Enterprise Network, I am delighted that we’ve been chosen to be a Social Enterprise Place. This award highlights all the fantastic and necessary work done by Social Enterprises across the South Ayrshire area. I hope that by being recognised as a Social Enterprise Place, it raises awareness of the sector and provides many more opportunities for enterprise and development.”
Councillor Bob Pollock, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, says: “It is wonderful that South Ayrshire has been recognised as a Social Enterprise Place. Social enterprise activity is thriving in South Ayrshire and has tremendous impacts within our local communities.”
Douglas Westwater, Chair of Social Enterprise Scotland, says: “We have heard the difference this has made in previous rounds of Social Enterprise Places and are delighted to welcome these new areas, where the spotlight will be shone on the vibrant and innovative work being done to transform communities.”
South Ayrshire has been recognised alongside Forth Valley, and both join Uist, Lewis and Govan as Social Enterprise Places in Scotland.
