Case Studies

Social Enterprise Scotland members exchange

Using physical activity to address health inequalities, social isolation, and barriers to education through inclusive, community-led programmes.

A group of 8 people standing inside a gym hall with wooden floor boards and strobe lighting

The exchange provided first-hand insight into how Kanzen for Life uses physical activity to address health inequalities, social isolation, and barriers to education through inclusive, community-led programmes. It was particularly valuable to learn about the organisation’s journey, how far it has come, and its continued ambitions for the future, demonstrating the power of social enterprise to deliver meaningful social impact while remaining financially sustainable. Seeing how Kanzen for Life engages more than 1,200 people each week through accessible, community-focused approaches provided practical ideas that can be adapted within my own organisation, while reinforcing how sustainable social enterprise models can empower individuals, develop leadership, and build stronger, more connected communities.

It provided an opportunity to build valuable new relationships with the Kanzen for Life team and other participants, creating a network for future collaboration and the ongoing exchange of ideas and good practice. The visit also broadened understanding of different approaches to community engagement, programme delivery and organisational sustainability, while reinforcing the importance of partnerships in achieving long-term social impact. It has given attendees fresh perspectives, increased confidence in applying new ideas within my own organisation, and inspired me to explore new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Participants will understand how physical activity programmes can be designed and delivered to address a wide range of social issues, including health inequalities, social isolation and barriers to education.
  • Participants will learn how Kanzen for Life engages over 1,200 individuals weekly through inclusive, community-led approaches that prioritise accessibility, wellbeing and long-term impact.
  • Participants will explore how social enterprises can build sustainable, community-focused models that empower individuals, develop leadership skills and foster stronger & more connected communities.

Community Organisation:
Social Enterprise Scotland members

Exchange Host Partners:
Kanzen for Life

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

"A particular highlight was seeing how young people who had previously accessed Kanzen for Life's services had progressed into core staff and leadership roles within the organisation. Hearing more about their individual journeys and personal experiences would have provided an even deeper insight into the long-term impact of the organisation's work. If possible, including the perspective of a current beneficiary would also be a valuable addition, offering a first-hand account of the difference the organisation is making in the lives of those it supports."

News

ClimatACTical: Connecting Through Play

June 29, 2026

Building climate confidence across the third sector

 

Scotland is experiencing more frequent heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures. Climate change is no longer a distant issue—it’s something communities and organisations are dealing with right now.

ClimatACTical, a gamified learning resource from Growing Climate Confidence, helps organisations explore these challenges in a practical, hands-on way. Through gameplay, teams respond to climate events, make decisions under pressure, and see how their choices shape what happens next.

In sessions so far, participants have been caught out by unexpected events, then quickly reflecting on what they could have done differently. The result is simple but powerful: a clearer sense that small decisions made today can build resilience for tomorrow.

ClimatACTical is supporting organisations across Scotland’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to move from awareness to action. In some cases, this has already led to practical changes, including teams setting up green groups to take ideas forward. It creates space to test ideas and identify realistic next steps as part of everyday work.

Creating space for confident action

ClimatACTical was developed in response to a clear need. There is strong willingness across the sector to take action, but time, capacity and headspace are often limited.

The game brings climate considerations into familiar organisational decisions, giving teams space to step back and explore choices together in a way that feels manageable and relevant. No prior knowledge is needed.

As one participant reflected:

“I was approaching this from a community spaces perspective, and the game felt like a useful way to get people thinking about climate resilience and net zero in a related context, but removed from day-to-day pressures. It opens up conversations and helps people see a wider range of options, including lower-cost actions like setting up a green team or greening outdoor spaces, not just focusing on grant funding.”

Developed with Verture and Small99, and shaped by input from across the sector, the aim was to create something practical and grounded.

Taking ClimatACTical on the road

A series of pop‑up and play sessions has taken climatACTical across Scotland, with each session adapting to its setting and the people taking part.

At the Village Halls Conference in Glasgow, a drop‑in session introduced the game to a range of community organisations, sparking immediate discussion. In Dumfries, participants explored scenarios in more depth, with conversations ranging from community energy to food growing and waste reduction. Many reflected on the value of stepping back to consider longer-term priorities alongside immediate pressures.

Across other locations, similar themes emerged—highlighting the importance of local knowledge, community resilience and shared learning. The flexibility of the game has been key, working equally well as a short introduction or a more in-depth workshop.

Capturing and celebrating what is already happening

Alongside delivering sessions, visits to Dumfries and Galloway and Moray created space to capture real-life stories from across the sector.

These visits highlighted the breadth of activity already underway. At KPT Development Trust, collective local action is powering change, from community hydro projects to food growing and shared green spaces. Dumfries Swift Group emphasised the importance of protecting biodiversity, while Moray Waste Busters demonstrated how the circular economy can come to life through a busy reuse store. Full stories will be shared in early autumn.

Much of this work is already happening, often with limited resources. ClimatACTical helps surface and connect this activity, making climate considerations more visible in day-to-day decision-making.

Learning through real-world scenarios

At the heart of climatACTical is the opportunity to explore decisions in context. Players balance actions against budgets, priorities and unexpected events, with climate scenarios adding a level of realism.

These moments often lead to the greatest reflection. Participants see how early preparation can reduce disruption, while delayed action can increase pressure on services and staff. In a supportive environment, teams can test ideas, make choices and reflect without risk—leaving with practical next steps.

Role play is also key. By stepping into different organisational roles, participants gain insight into financial constraints, service pressures and competing priorities, helping teams have more effective conversations about how to move ideas forward in practice.

What we are learning so far

A few clear themes have emerged:

  • Confidence grows through doing
  • Action feels more manageable when linked to everyday decisions
  • Flexible formats make it easier to take part
  • There is already strong activity across the sector to build on

ClimatACTical brings these elements together, supporting organisations to take practical next steps in ways that fit their work and communities.

Get involved

This is just the start. As more organisations take part, climatACTical will continue to develop through feedback and shared experience.

If you would like to host a session, try the game with your team, or find out more, please get in touch at chiara.fingland@scvo.scot or complete this enquiry form.

Case Studies

Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network visit to The Melting Pot

Supporting peer-led frameworks for women in social enterprise.

A group of 10 people standing together smiling at the camera

Through the Incubator approach Jess from the Melting pot was able to support intergenerational conversations around mentoring and leadership. There was sharing across organisations in organic discussions about each member’s experience of different ages and levels in their organisations and how to bridge the gaps in the workplace. It was fascinating to share mutual and different experiences of working across age groups.

There was organic knowledge sharing across generations and connections made for further sharing and collaboration. Jess helped foster a safe space for open discussion and a unique way of fostering idea development.

Learning Outcomes

  • Best practice in inter‑generational mentoring and leadership support – how to structure mentoring relationships, peer support networks, and knowledge sharing across generations.
  • Strategies for promoting mental wellbeing and preventing burnout in women-led community businesses, including peer support, shared resources, and community-building.
  • Make networking accessible and inclusive, bridging the gap between generations – peer-led facilitated networking run by ESEN and our host The Melting Pot.

Community Organisation:
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network

Exchange Host Partners:
The Melting Pot

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

"It was an interesting group and a nice mix of folk I already knew as well as many I didn't. Really interesting things that people were raising. Thank you for making it happen. I really enjoyed focussing on the Behaviour Science idea with Claire especially. It was also interesting thinking about other things that aren't normally on my radar e.g. Gaelic speakers and the sharing of wisdom intergenerationally. Despite being a coach, I wasn't aware of coaching by text so that was a nice bonus to hear about. "

Case Studies

Armadale Shedders exchange visit to Peebles

Enhancing health & wellbeing through connection and creative activity.

A group of 10 people viewing a workshop with a model railway, chairs and machinery dotted about the room

The 3D printing technology is something we would like to add to our future equipment as a shed which Peebles were able to give us insights to costs and how the equipment can be used along with project based work. We were able to explore the range of projects available and the impact these have for the Peebles Shed, such as- woodturning, strained glass work and metal working.

Learning Outcomes

  • To establish the viability and possible purchase of a 3D printer within Armadale Shed
  • Members wish to check out the bicycle repair section of Peebles Shed with a view to offering this as an activity in Armadale Shed
  • Observe the working practices of another Shed and the possible adoption of these to improve the operation in our own Shed.

Community Organisation:
Armadale Men's Shed

Exchange Host Partners:
Peebles Men's Shed

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Scottish Men's Shed Association

"The exchange helped strengthen our connections as a Shed and with the team from Peebles, encouraged collaboration, and highlighted the shared creativity that defines the Men's Shed movement."

Case Studies

Social Enterprise Scotland members exchange

Prioritising physical, emotional and mental wellbeing through self-care

A group of 8 people sharing food around a table

The exchange clearly showed how prioritising your own wellbeing leads to better outcomes in both personal and professional life. Through meditation, reflection, and hearing Vicky’s story, participants experienced the benefits of slowing down and making space for themselves. The visit highlighted how even small wellbeing practices can make a meaningful difference.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand how looking after your own health and wellbeing creates positive outcomes in both personal and professional life. Recognise the links between physical and mental health, resilience and overall performance. Explore how healthy lifestyle choices improve focus, energy, and relationships. Apply strategies for self-care and balance to achieve goals and support others effectively.
  • Explore how social enterprises, such as the Wee Retreat, create safe and supportive spaces for individuals to share, learn, and grow. Understand the role these organisations play in building community connections and fostering personal development. Recognise the wider benefits they bring, from improving wellbeing to strengthening social ties. Reflect on how social enterprises contribute positively to both individuals and society as a whole.
  • Learn about the benefits and values of meditation for personal wellbeing and focus. Understand how meditation can support stress management, emotional balance and clarity of thought. Experience these concepts in practice through a short guided meditation led by the host. Reflect on how meditation techniques can be applied in daily life and work.

Community Organisation:
Social Enterprise Scotland members

Exchange Host Partners:
The Wee Retreat

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

The visit showed how The Wee Retreat creates a safe, supportive space for people to learn and grow, strengthening both wellbeing and community connections. Hearing Vicky’s story highlighted the wider social benefits of social enterprises and how they positively impact individuals and the community as a whole.

Case Studies

Healthiest Town Aberfeldy exchange with Highland Good Food Partnership

Learning about the wider food picture In Scotland

A bucket on the ground with a muddy trowel, garden fork and gloves inside. With a person legs and purple wellies on the left and a person blue wellies to the right of the bucket.

We discussed the value of a Local Food Plan as a means to delivering the aims of the Good Food Nation Act and in helping Local Authorities achieve their Food Plan. We learned about how Highland Council is approaching their food plan which was useful given that Perth and Kinross Council are further behind. We also discussed how a Local Food Plan might work in different communities and how the government might support local communities to do this. This is a complex area and there is no ‘one size fits all’ for communities which may mean a local food plan model might be more difficult to implement. Also how would government distribute funding to support this.

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Exploring the value of a Local Food Pan in helping to deliver the Good Food Nation Act. What a LFP might look like, where it can add value, what support communities need from the government to do this work.
  • Learning about mapping and the value of mapping local food locations.
  • Exploring methods of communication within the community and to relevant partners and government.

Community Organisation:
Healthiest Town Aberfeldy

Exchange Host Partners:
Highland Good Food Partnership

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Nourish

The visit was very useful in giving us a broader view of food projects in rural areas around Scotland, potential solutions to similar issues and links to many organisations that are working to develop food projects and make change. As a tiny project it is great to feel that we are 'singing from the same song sheet' as other groups and organisations around Scotland. It also helped to connect to others. The visit gave us so many ideas as to what we could do in our area as well as how to produce evidence behind the ideas.

Case Studies

Village Halls Week exchange

Celebrating the vital role community spaces and village halls provide and building networks of support

Image of a jar with flowers surrounded by village halls bunting and flyers

The exchange provided practical insights into governance structures, good practice, and options for reorganisation. We increased our understanding and confidence, with feedback noting the value of “helpful governance information” and learning that could be “taken back and applied” within our own organisations. Hearing directly from other halls also helped ground this learning in real-life examples, supporting more informed decision-making around sustainability and future planning.

The usefulness of “learning about funding opportunities” and gaining a clearer understanding of where to go for advice and support meant people could be signposted to other organisations and networks, helping attendees feel better equipped to access ongoing guidance and practical assistance.

We particularly valued the opportunity to connect with others, with comments referencing the benefit of “sharing ideas” and “meeting other hall volunteers.” This peer learning element supported the development of new ideas to increase participation and strengthen community connections, particularly in relation to health and wellbeing activities.

Learning Outcomes

  • Stronger, more sustainable organisations: Village halls and community spaces will leave with clearer knowledge of funding routes, governance models and management best practice. This strengthens trustee confidence, supports long-term planning, and helps halls remain financially and operationally sustainable.

 

  • Increased Collaboration and Peer Support: By bringing together around 60 people from 30+ halls and community spaces, the event builds relationships across the region. Sharing challenges and solutions reduces organisational isolation, encourages partnership working, and creates ongoing peer networks that extend beyond the event itself. Raising awareness of the Community Spaces network (run by Social Enterprise Scotland and Scottish Rural Action), as an accessible and supportive platform for ongoing peer support and learning.

 

  • Improved Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: Ultimately, stronger halls and community spaces mean stronger communities. By enhancing skills and confidence, the event supports halls to deliver inclusive activities that reduce loneliness, increase social connection, and improve physical and mental wellbeing across the region. This feeds into the aims of wider Village Halls Week campaign, which focuses on the theme “Connecting communities to health and wellbeing,” highlighting how these rural spaces support the NHS “Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing”.

Community Organisation:
• Appletreehall District Public Hall • Ashkirk village hall • Ayton Community Hall Association • Bedrule Church Future • Bowden Village Hall committee • Broughton Village hall • Caddonfoot Hall • Chirnside Development Group • Coldstream Community Trust • Darnick Village Hall • A Heart for Duns • Kirkhope Village Hall, Ettrickbridge • Eyemouth Community Centre Management Committee • St Ebba’s Episcopal Church, Eyemouth • Gattonside village hall • Gavinton Village hall • Grantshouse Community Council • Grantshouse Village Hall • Greenlaw War Memorial Hall • Heiton Village Hall • Lauderdale Community Council • Leitholm Village Hall • Oxnam Village Hall SCIO • Oxton After Dinner Club • Oxton War Memorial Hall • Peebles Drill Hall • Selkirk Regeneration (Sustainable Borders) • Smailholm Village Hall • St Boswells dwellers • Parish of Stow Community Council. • Stow Town Hall Users Group • Yarrow Hall

Exchange Host Partners:
St Boswall's Village Hall

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Scottish Rural Action

"The exchange generated a number of wider benefits for participants, particularly in terms of peer support, inspiration, and renewed motivation. A key benefit was the opportunity for networking and relationship-building across the village halls and community spaces in the region. Many participants highlighted the value of connecting with others in similar roles, sharing experiences, and learning from different approaches. This helped to reduce feelings of isolation often experienced by volunteers and trustees, and fostered a stronger sense of being part of a wider, supportive network."

Case Studies

Girvan Tourist Information and Craft Shop visit to Culzean Castle and Country Park

Updating local knowledge in support of community led tourism.

Image of Culzean Castle centred through the frame of an old wall with trees and shrubs on each side

Our volunteers developed their approach to customer service with inspiration from professionals and gained up to date information about the range of current services available at Culzean. We already distribute leaflets about Culzean in our Tourist Information as well as promoting them on social media. We were able to strengthen this link through meeting the Visitor Services Supervisor.

Tourist Information volunteers’ personal knowledge and enthusiasm are vital in our face-to-face service, so this visit helped to ensure volunteers become genuine ambassadors for this exceptional local attraction. NTS staff appreciated the role played by Girvan Tourist Information in promoting Culzean Castle and Country Park.

Learning Outcomes

  • Through face-to-face discussions with experts, Tourist Information volunteers will be better placed to advise visitors about the wide range including history, architecture, horticulture, retail and catering offered at Culzean Castle and Country Park.
  • Volunteers will find out more about the role and impact of tourism on Culzean’s green environment; the changing nature of expectations for tourists in the 21st century; become aware of inclusivity and local integration in the National Trust.
  • Tourist Information Volunteers and Culzean staff hope to strengthen professional collaboration.

Community Organisation:
Girvan Tourist and Information Craft Shop

Exchange Host Partners:
Culzean Castle and Country Park

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
SCOTO

"One great benefit was for our volunteers, new and old, to meet and get to know each other. We work in pairs at Girvan Tourist Information, so this was a great team-building opportunity to meet everyone."

Case Studies

Glenbarr Community Development association – Craignish & Ardrishaig Village Hall

Business planning, governance structuring and delivery for a future Community Hub.

4 people sitting on a stage, one holding a small dog in a community hall with fairy lights suspended from the ceiling

The exchange met its intended outcomes by giving our group first-hand, evidence-based learning from two highly active rural halls operating at different scales and under different financial structures. At both locations we were able to interrogate what successful looks like after refurbishment or years of operation, and understand the practical realities that sit behind headline utilisation.

At Ardrishaig, the visit confirmed what happens when a hall becomes genuinely busy: professionalisation becomes unavoidable. We explored how booking systems help but do not remove workload, why cleaning and changeover must be priced and recovered, and how event packaging protects capacity. The hosts were open about energy pressures and the importance of active energy system management. Crucially, we were able to understand the structural role that renewables-linked income plays in underpinning staffing and capital investment, giving a clear benchmark of what a financial cushion can enable.

At Craignish, the visit provided a mature example of high utilisation supported by strong procedures, paid management, and diversified income. The evidence from the hall’s latest accounts reinforced what was stated in discussion: grant-backed programming, particularly arts funding, is structurally significant and would be difficult to replace through hall hire alone. This helped us stress-test assumptions about sustainability and confirm that even well-used halls can remain reliant on grant relationships in the absence of a separate revenue anchor beyond hall operations.

In both visits we gathered learning that will directly inform our next-stage work: Phase 1 brief refinement, options appraisal focused on real operational use, and business planning assumptions around staffing, income mix, cost recovery and energy management.

Learning Outcomes

  • To gain a clear understanding of how mainland rural community hubs structure governance, staffing, and operational responsibilities as they transition from volunteer-led initiatives into more complex multi-use facilities. This includes learning how responsibilities are divided between boards, staff, contractors, and partner organisations, and how governance models evolve as hubs grow in scale and activity.
  • To understand how established hubs balance community access with commercial activity, including cafés, room hire, events, and shared workspace, without undermining local businesses or community cohesion. This learning will directly inform GCDA’s business planning, particularly around appropriate scale, pricing, opening hours, and programming for a hub serving a small rural population with seasonal demand.
  • To understand how established hubs balance community access with commercial activity, including cafés, room hire, events, and shared workspace, without undermining local businesses or community cohesion. This learning will directly inform GCDA’s business planning, particularly around appropriate scale, pricing, opening hours, and programming for a hub serving a small rural population with seasonal demand.

Community Organisation:
Glenbarr Community Development association

Exchange Host Partners:
Craignish Village Hall, Ardrishaig Hall

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Development Trust Association Scotland

"The visits created useful peer relationships. Both hosts were candid and solutions-focused, and we have a clearer basis for targeted follow-up questions where additional detail would be valuable. This peer connection is a real asset as our project moves into a more technical stage."

News

Community Owned Scotland

May 28, 2026

Making community ownership visible

 

In response to the incredibly positive Local People Leading event at the Scottish Parliament in February, SCA member SCOTO CIC were inspired to revisit their idea of a visual aid to highlight a community tourism enterprise – for the benefit of visitors and locals. Following a positive exploratory session with the SCOTO network in April, the May SCA member thematic session introduced the idea to the wider network and with a broader focus on community owned assets.

Russell Fraser, Chair of SCOTO and colleague Carron Tobin explained why this concept is becoming increasingly important for community tourism enterprises and their belief that this is about the community sector as a whole.

Carron highlighted how so many communities across Scotland are stepping in where the public sector have stepped back – taking over toilets and setting up visitor information points – and also providing much needed motorhome air stop overs, hostels, shops, pubs and cafes on or in community owned assets. Although these are visitor facing many are primarily for the benefit of the community.

Russell shared insights into the moment when visitors finally realise they’re experiencing a community-owned asset and how it changes their attitude and propensity to spend money and actively support the community.  The same applies to general public awareness of community owned assets.  A pilot would help define community and community owned.

Below is an extract of Russell’s thoughts.

A SINGLE NATIONAL SYMBOL TO MAKE COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP VISIBLE

“Just as people recognise an accommodation accreditation, a recycling symbol, a net zero symbol, whatever it may be, there should be a symbol that says;

“This place belongs to the community.”

The symbol becomes a public declaration that:

  •      Local people own this asset.
  •      Wealth generated here stays locally.
  •      Decisions are made locally.
  •      The asset exists for community benefit, not private profit.

Most people can identify NHS facilities, council facilities and National Trust properties.  But very few can identify community owned-assets, or understand what that means.

This creates practical problems:

  • people don’t realise what has been achieved 
  • they underestimate the scale of the movement across Scotland
  • they don’t choose to support community-owned enterprises
  • policy makers don’t see the collective impact
  • communities feel isolated rather than part of a national movement

The Opportunity: Scotland has facilitated the acquisition of hundreds of community-owned assets – each representing local people choosing hope over decline. A common symbol would turn these separate projects into one visible Scottish movement, making Scotland’s quiet success story finally visible.

Why Now? Scotland is a leading light in community ownership, but it isn’t obvious. With communities increasingly opting to own assets, deliver what were previously public services, and build local wealth, community ownership deserves visible national recognition.  This is community wealth building in action and needs greater profile.

Through my work with Loch Ness Hub & Travel, we’ve hosted visitors from Japan, Canada, Sweden, and Malta – all aspiring to achieve what Scotland is already delivering. It’s time Scotland shouted louder about our communities and what they are achieving.  

Hundreds of community owned assets already exist.  The movement already exists as we witnessed at the Local People Leading event.  What we need now is collaboration across the community sector – and visibility.”

The response from those attending the thematic session was resoundingly positive, recognising this needs to be kept simple and non-bureaucratic to administer. There was strong agreement that this should be fully scoped out and a short-life working group would be created – if you would like to be part of this group or share any thoughts please email: info@scoto.co.uk.

An overview of the proposal will soon be circulated with a survey to gauge support from each of the SCA members and their network members.

To read the full-length version of Russell’s initial thoughts, click here >: https://www.scoto.co.uk/blog/a-symbol-for-community-ownership/