| Midlothian Voluntary Action | Midlothian Voluntary Action are the umbrella body for voluntary and community organisations in Midlothian . We provide a range of support to aspiring and existing social enterprises including funding advice, information on legal structures and charity law, and information on a range of issues that impact on the voluntary sector. We also run an annual training programme which is free to Midlothian voluntary organisations. If you need support in developing a social enterprise, contact us and we will either help you ourselves, or direct you on to other appropriate bodies. Dr Lesley Kelly |
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| Midlothian Council | The Regeneration Development Team: Situated within Strategic Services, the Regeneration Development Team works to promote social inclusion through community and economic development in Midlothian. We do this by promoting social economy development, developing strategies to promote financial inclusion, and working in partnership with public and voluntary sector agencies to support innovative approaches to social inclusion. We administer a programme of small grants for social economy organisations in Midlothian, and can provide support to organisations on a case by case basis. We work closely with MVA and other SEAM partners. Gary Fraser |
| Midlothian Council Business Development Team | A package of business support for both start-up and established businesses, and social enterprises, has been developed by Midlothian Council, its enterprise partners and with support from the European Regional Development Fund. Support is tailored to meet the needs of each individual business covering a range of issues from sources of financial assistance, marketing, training, environmental management, information technology and exporting. Jane Crawford,
Senior Projects Officer |
| Business Gateway | Business Gateway offers a wide range of services to new and established businesses including social enterprises. Services include business information, advice, business workshops, support, and where appropriate, funding. We can put together a package of support specifically for your organisation, referring you to specialist teams where appropriate. This might include:
0845 609 6611 (or 0131 654 1234) |
| Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce | Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce offers the following additional services to social enterprises:
0131 654 1234 |
| Community Enterprise Ltd | Community Enterprise Limited offers consultancy services, support, development and training for social and community enterprises throughout the Lothians, the Forth Valley , and Fife . They also work with Social Investment Scotland to promote the SEED loan fund as a finance option for the social economy. Douglas Westwater |
| Communities Scotland | The Scottish Executive agency responsible for implementing regeneration, social inclusion and housing policy. Various funding and investment programmes, including Futurebuilders Scotland. Contact: Ruth Hutton |
| Melville Housing Association | Midlothian-based housing association.
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| Midlothian Advice and Resource Centre | Woodburn-based social enterprise: furniture, electronic and white goods recycling. SEAM partner. Richard Vivian |
| McSence | Mayfield-based group of social enterprises, including heating and insulation services, contract cleaning, catering, ICT, and serviced worspaces. SEAM partner. McSence |
| Loanhead Miners' Charitable Society | The Charitable Society runs a thriving Social, Sports and Community Club in this former mining village. The Club was opened back in 1924 as the Loanhead Miners' Institute and now boasts a membership or nearly 3,000 from the surrounding area. Contact: Loanhead Miners' Charitable Society |
These organisations are also excellent sources of support, training and/or information for social economy organisations
| SCVO | Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - Umbrella body promoting the independence and values of the voluntary sector in Scotland, and encouraging voluntary organizations to realise their full potential. www.scvo.org.uk |
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| Social Firms Scotland | Social Firms Scotland works at a national level to support the development of social firms. They also provide information and training on many aspects of social firm development. Contact: Social Firms Scotland |
| Senscot | Senscot aims to build independent social enterprise networks throughout Scotland, provides electronic news updates relevant to the social economy, and brokers relationships between experienced and aspiring social entrepreneurs. Contact: Pat Bowie or Colin Campbell |
| First Port | Firstport works to support new and emerging social entrepreneurs and social enterprises throughout Scotland. The organisation brings together Senscot Exchange - providing information and brokering support and advice - and Scotland UnLtd – distributing awards to individual social entrepreneurs. http://www.firstport.org.uk |
Social Enterprise London |
The London social economy development agency: excellent website, with numerous practical publications on a wide range of issues, including finance, business planning, running childcare social enterprises, and much more. |
| Development Trust Association | Support for new and developing development trusts. |
Community Recycling Network Scotland & INCREASE Investment Programme |
CRNS is a membership organisation which provides support and information for community-led groups involved in recycling and related activities. CRNS also works in partnership with the Scottish Executive to administer the £5 million INCREASE programme, which invests in community-based recycling initiatives. 01786 469 002 |
| Social Economy Enterprise Development | |
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| Social Investment Scotland | |
| Charity Bank | |
| Unity Trust Bank | |
| Triodos Bank | |
| Venturesome | |
| Impetus Trust | www.impetus.org.uk |