Case Studies

Social Enterprise Scotland member visit to Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS)

Showing how inclusive childcare can shape community outcomes.

A handmade nursery poster with a tree in the centre and the words: 'learning as we grow' / 'Our Capacitree' each branch of the tree plots children development through words and pictures

The exchange offered the social enterprise community learning on how a flexible childcare model works in practice – both for FCSS and for families, our visit provided an understanding on how FCSS have developed from a small locally based organisation and how their their growth model now operates across multiple sites/locations across Scotland. We explored how they have embedded Fair Work cost effectively, ensuring staff feel valued, supported and empowered. We heard how they have developed their network to maximum effect through their social enterprise journey.

The social enterprise was created to challenge the inflexibility of current childcare provision across Scotland with the goal of improving parental employment while simultaneously reducing child poverty. FCSS have a unique flexible childcare model that allows families to book-by-the-hour, pay-as-they-go and change their bookings in line with their working commitments and their childcare needs. This helps parents to save money on their childcare while presenting them with opportunities to increase their income by removing childcare as a barrier to work.

Learning Outcomes

  • Establishing and Scaling a Social Enterprise from a standing start.
  • Flexible Working, Fair Work and Values Led, how to put your people first when you are on a tight budget.
  • Building your network and maximising its power.

Community Organisation:
KLAS Care C.i.C, Street Soccer Scotland, Social Enterprise Academy, The Wee Ducklings, Upper Deeside Community Playgroup, Kanzen for Life, Social & Community Capital

Exchange Host Partners:
Flexible Childcare Services Scotland

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

"It was useful to learn about the development of Flexible Childcare Scotland, and how they scaled up to overcame challenges through creating an inclusive culture and how they managed to prioritise values internally to better serve their staff and community."

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."

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

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

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."

Case Studies

Tullibody Community Garden- Rosyth Eats

Growing food for broader community benefits

People outside gardening around raised beds with a polytunnel to the right

We wanted to explore (ie more efficiently and effectively) transition from a 100% volunteer run community garden to one with a staff team. So enabling us to expand and develop the number and range of community services that we provide.

Make best use of Trustee time eg avoiding pitfalls. Thereby freeing up time for them to get on and deliver the changes. Broaden and strengthen our current planning, funding and marketing/publicity efforts. So allowing us to better deliver on our Mission and reach out to more community members, especially disadvantaged folks.

The exchange helped to highlight the importance of taking volunteers with you, sustaining their interest/commitment/support when loads of new activities and groups happening. Avoid a feeling of being “left behind”, and that the new work means the garden feels “busy” and maybe doesn’t benefit them so much. Monthly volunteer/staff meetings, quarterly newsletter, annual review meeting.

Tackling inequalities: engagement with the Poverty Action Group is  important; ‘Pay It Forward’ scheme in Hub cafe that allows those with more income to support those with less whilst avoiding any stigma; Ticket Taylor for event bookings and Malechimp on marketing – allow subsidised/free offerings and standard prices overpay; run a Food Bank

Gardening: Sustainability measures eg water collection and distribution system for garden – solar portable water pump and mobile bowser; composting.

Communications: links with funders eg give certificates for corporate activity participants; good quality publications

Publicity: taking part in award/recognition schemes brings recognition and good evidence for funders; social media doesn’t tend to cut through all the ‘paid for’ rubbish

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyse the key learnings and best ways to smoothly transition from a purely voluntary organisation to one that successfully employs a staff team, working alongside volunteers, including Trustees.
  • Re-assess and improve our Business & Strategic planning, funding and marketing/awareness-raising provision.
  • Understand how their gardening, cooking activities and facilities fit in with their Vision, Mission and Objectives.

Community Organisation:
Tullibody Community Garden

Exchange Host Partners:
Eats Rosyth

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Get Growing Scotland

"We were able to establish a good relationship and personal connections between our organisations that will be mutually helpful. We made a firm plan for Eats Rosyth to visit us later in the year."

Case Studies

SCOTO members exchange

Aspirations for community led museums and heritage centres

Image of Dunkeld & Birnam Arts Centre behind a row of trees

The Curated Conversation proved to be a really valuable approach. This was face to face with the five independent museums coming together. This included the host – Dunkeld Archive – plus Trimontium Museum, Ullapool Museum, The Scottish Crannog Centre and Abernethy Museum. They came together in Dunkeld & Birnam to hear where Dunkeld Archive is at and what their ambition is to then share their stories and give advice. This was made accessible to a bigger group face to face and online by forming a panel to firstly each present their story and then explore several topics. They each shared their experiences in relation to operational challenges and opportunities to overcome these, and also described recent project activity which had made a big difference. Each presenter also shared their current ‘headaches’ and had a group discussion on how to tackle these. This then allowed Dunkeld Archive as the host to pose various questions and then open this up to the floor (for face to face and online participants).

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Shared learning on operational challenges and opportunities connected with community run heritage centres and museums.
  • Shared learnings on the development of community run heritage centres and museums.
  • Community engagement from locals in the Dunkeld and Birnam area to hear the stories from elsewhere and be involved in the Dunkeld Archive project development

Community Organisation:
IN PERSON Dunkeld Archive Trimontium Museum, The Scottish Crannog Centre, Ullapool Museum, Abernethy Museum, community representatives from Dunkeld and Birnam, Crieff, Comrie, the Heritage Network and SCOTO plus representatives from HES and MGS ONLINE Sanquhar Enterprise Company, Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Digital Alness HMS Unicorn / Seasearch CIC Pictish Arts Society, Comrie Heritage Group

Exchange Host Partners:
Trimontium Museum, Glen Esk Museum, Abernethy Museum

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
SCOTO

"The model we adopted worked - bringing other community heritage groups together who have recent experience of tourism facing project activity and/or are similarly considering an aspirational project and providing a forum for them to share their experiences together and quiz each other. Everyone got a lot out of it and the resounding comment is we all can learn so much from each other and just need time to be together to do that."

Case Studies

Community Land Scotland member exchange

Navigating long-term engagement, transparent governance, and generational renewal in practice.

A group visiting a community owned building in Kinlochleven

This Gathering was the third in our series of regional residential exchanges. While the CLE funding formed part of the overall event budget, it was particularly important in enabling the study visit hosting and covering most delegate travel costs. This was critical to ensuring that groups from across Argyll and Lochaber, the Inner Isles, and surrounding areas were able to participate fully. As with earlier events, funding directly enabled the mix of study visit, structured discussion, and informal network-building that defined the experience.

Peer discussion remained central to the programme’s impact. Across formal sessions and informal conversations, delegates explored shared challenges in governance, board capacity, relationships between staff and trustees, and long‑term organisational sustainability. Several participants noted that hearing from other trusts at different stages of maturity exposed them to new approaches to leadership, joint working, and organisational development. The open, honest nature of discussion was widely valued.

The study visit to Kinlochleven CDT produced especially meaningful learning. Delegates emphasised how helpful it was to hear directly from the Trust about long‑term land, housing, and organisational challenges, and to experience these issues in their local context.

Learning Outcomes

  • Delegates will deepen their understanding of effective, ongoing community engagement, drawing on practical examples from the study visit and peer discussion, and identify approaches they can adapt within their own organisations.
  • Delegates will strengthen their thinking and planning around succession, including how to encourage new people into leadership roles, support volunteer development, and build long-term organisational resilience.
  • Delegates will build meaningful peer connections with other community groups, with dedicated time together -including shared travel – helping to form relationships that support continued learning, collaboration, and problem-solving beyond the event.

Community Organisation:
Arisaig Community Trust, Colonsay Community Development Company, Glenuig Community Inn, Kinlocheven Community Trust, MACC Developments, Morvern Community Development Company, Morvern Community Woodlands, Oban & District Development Trust, South West Mull & Iona Development, Strathfillan Community Development Trust

Exchange Host Partners:
Kinlochleven Community Trust

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Community Land Scotland

"The peer support offered through this exchange has strengthened our regional connections. The reassurance you receive of discovering common ground with other trusts is invaluable."