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

Kilmallie Community Fridge and Garden exchange

Food growing and future sustainability

Image a of a polytunnel with a raised bed at the front containing various plants and veg growing

We met with Flip of the Coin in Alness and saw their new area and how much they had achieved since November – this is land they now rent from the local bowling club. We discussed the space and how they made it work through various programs and funding. They had volunteers, 6 employees, as well as linking in with facilitators to run specific sessions. This meant they were able to run weekly workshops and support sessions, in creativity and gardening. This gave us lots of ideas of how our space could work. In this project in particular you could see how valuable it was to the community and it had a really energetic vibe.

We then met with Thurso Community Development Trust. They  run the harbour toilets which seems to work well with volunteers managing themselves. Their gardening projects were very inspirational, the greenhouses having been as asset transfer, currently running as a nursery to help fund itself, but looking to develop further into workshops/education model. Their community gardens were busy with volunteers and food was grown by them for themselves and to sell to help fund. TCDT was run by a development officer, and the gardens by two part time employees. Both projects also had employability funding.

The biggest issue with both projects was the lack of multiyear funding for current projects, and the fact that each grant you applied for had to have a new project started and were often for a year or less.

Learning Outcomes

  • Get first hand experience of somewhere that has gone through the Community Asset Transfer process and see its progress, learn what problems/successes they have had.
  • Work out what would work in our space and what is possible by seeing what another group has created. See how they have made their space sustainable and how they work with volunteers and paid staff.
  • Learn how he community has embraced their project and what difference if has made in their community ie. are more people being fed, upskilled or passing on their skills. Do they measure impact and what does this look like.

Community Organisation:
Kilmallie Community Fridge and Garden, Kilmallie Community Council

Exchange Host Partners:
Flip of the Coin, Thurso Community Development trust

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Get Growing Scotland

"We particularly liked Flip of the Coins ability to feed into the Social Prescribing Model and we looked further into this when we arrived home, speaking with our trustees about future funding and also our local Change Mental Health link worker to find out what kind of activities we could offer so they could refer clients. It was really interesting to see how these other projects supported themselves, and was beneficial to speak to those developing their projects and making them more beneficial for their communities. We now plan to look into employability funding and see what is involved there."

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

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

Maryburgh Men’s Shed- Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed

Sustainability through reuse & repair for local impacts and partnership development

A group of people standing outside a large wooden cabin with a sign for Cromarty Firth men's Shed

The exchange fostered stronger ties between our group and Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed members. It created opportunities for intergenerational and cross-community dialogue, ensuring inclusivity and reducing social isolation. Shed members demonstrated practical skills (woodworking, repair, crafting, ) and shared knowledge with our group. The exchange encouraged peer-to-peer learning, enhancing confidence and competence in hands-on activities, which aligned with our application’s outcome of increasing participants’ skills and furthering their ability to share this knowledge with others.

Learning Outcomes

  •  Community Engagement & Inclusion.
  • Skills Sharing & Capacity Building.
  • Health & Wellbeing

Community Organisation:
Maryburgh Men's Shed

Exchange Host Partners:
Cromarty Firth Men's Shed

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Scottish Men's Shed Association

"The Shed’s ethos of reusing materials and repairing items resonated with our project’s sustainability goals. Our exchange highlighted shared local resourcefulness and reduced waste, meeting environmental outcomes in our application. Overall we were able strengthen relationships between Maryburgh Men’s Shed and Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed, opening doors for future joint initiatives to support emphasis on building long-term partnerships and networks."

Case Studies

Meetings Centres Scotland exchange

Dementia Friendly peer learning and support

A group from dementia friendly meeting centres visiting Samye Ling

Beyond its planned outcomes, the Learning Exchange generated a wide range of additional learning and benefits. The shared activities inspired new ideas that could take place in their own Centres. Activities including fairground fun, planetarium visits, gin or soda tasting, sound baths, and trips to Samye Ling Buddhist Temple highlighted the diversity of programming possible and reinforced that activities can be engaging, locally relevant, and member-led. Members said that seeing these creative approaches in action encouraged them to adapt similar activities for their own communities, Since attending, members from Dementia Friendly Dunblane have introduced their Meeting Centre to the therapeutic experience of Sound Baths whilst others learned that for some people the experience felt uncomfortable and reinforced as a learning point how options are critical to developing sessions and activities in a Meeting Centre and quiet spaces to relax is feeling a sensory overload.

Learning Outcomes

  • Peer to Peer Learning, support and strengthened network
  • Practice based insights and Inspiration
  • Operational and Strategic Development

Community Organisation:
STAND Fife, Dementia Friendly Tweddale, North Edinburgh Arts, Ayrshire Meeting Centres AILN, Past Times, Weekday Wow Factor, Meeting Centres Scotland, Summerhill, The Johnston, Kirrie Connections,

Exchange Host Partners:
Eskdalemuir Community Hub - The Community Living Room Summerhill Community Centre The Johnston Kirkcudbright - Johnston Connections

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Community Health Exchange Network

"Visiting other Centres and meeting peers highlighted both the diversity and shared ethos of our Meeting Centres, reinforcing that the movement is community-led and shaped by our own voices."

Case Studies

Women’s Aid Orkney visit to Shetland Women’s Aid

Building collaboration opportunities

A group of 13 people smiling at the camera

The exchange allowed Women’s Aid Orkney team members to sit back and reflect on the breadth and depth or service they provide on a daily basis. It allowed them to feel proud of what they are achieving and the difference they are making. Spending time with some of the Shetland Women’s Aid team brought a real sense of solidarity. Relationships have been forged that will be beneficial on a personal level but also to the services more widely. There were enthusiastic conversations about future collaboration and finding ways to meet annually. At WAO we have been approached by numerous people who want to volunteer with us and we have been considering how best to start a volunteer program. Hearing from Shetland Women’s Aid about the ways in which they work with volunteers and also facilitate continued engagement from service users was inspiring and gave us lots of ideas.

Learning Outcomes

  • Share learning around tools and approaches like Own My Life that can help promote culture change and engage local communities in efforts to prevent GBV.
  • Learn how to work better to meet the needs of survivors of GBV across island areas, especially those on outer isles and in smaller communities. Gain an understanding of what support local groups are providing in their communities and how WAO can work with them to support them and their service users.
  • Sharing knowledge on staff wellbeing, learning from other organisations how they champion the wellbeing of their staff.

Community Organisation:
Women's Aid Orkney

Exchange Host Partners:
Shetland Women's Aid

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Scottish Rural Action

"The best part of the day for me was meeting some of Shetlands Women's Aid. This was beneficial for learning more about them and some of the differences, but also similarities in what we offer. This was also great to give us ideas on how to continue to grow and develop our service"

Case Studies

SES member group visit

Environmental stewardship for health & wellbeing

A group photo in Eat, Sleep, Ride stables

The team and facilitators at Eat Sleep Ride taught us all about Herd Dynamics and how the interpersonal relationships between horses can effectively mirror how we relate with others through our work in the Third Sector. Attendees were encouraged to approach the horses as their own true selves as horses can sense inauthenticity. Horses use a shared leadership model which is often seen within the Third Sector and attendees discussed the benefits of this. We also had a number of discussions about how these practices can be put into use in both the attendee’s professional and personal lives.

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will learn about Biomimicry and how Eat Sleep Ride are using this process in order to develop their projects and support development.
  • Attendees will also learn about how Eat Sleep Ride operate as a female-led social enterprise and their experience with collective leadership models.
  • Finally, attendees will learn about how Eat Sleep Ride take responsibility for looking after the natural environment in order to protect it for future generations.

Community Organisation:
Social Enterprise Scotland members

Exchange Host Partners:
Eat, Sleep, Ride

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

"We took part in a guided meditation in both the stables and the gardens which helped to ground us and connect us to the emotions that we were coming into the space with. We also learnt a little about how Eat Sleep Ride use horse waste as a sustainable fuel source and about the importance of environmental stewardship."

Case Studies

Spirit of Springburn exchange with Cranhill Development Trust

Opportunities for locally owned food in community employed shops

Food growing planters in Cranhill DT Community Garden

A fantastic visit and came away with brilliant ideas on moving forward. Their community shop is up and running and of great value to local folk. Very professionally run, with a post office in place too. A ‘village shop’ idea, the wee shop is a labour of love and provides a lot of items very cheaply. Also gave us ideas of type of products to provide and how to supply (many products come in multiple packs and can be very expense – or just not needed in that amount – they provide one or two of each which saves a lot of money and is achievable). Provision of food bags with small recipes that are tried, tested and popular. We’re taking this idea on board too.

We run a community fridge however we were looking at becoming a stand-alone pantry however, after discussion with the team at CDT, we’ve decided to go with the shop idea. There’s a more dignity in practice involved here which clients having a basket and deciding their own shopping needs, with a ‘checkout’ at the end. At this stage there’s an opportunity to share information, to find out a bit more about the family/individual needs and create an ongoing relationship through time,

 

Learning Outcomes

  • The first is to see how CDT set up their shop at the beginning and the support and management involved, and to compare and discuss similarities with what we’re doing already (one of our volunteers will lead on this.
  • To discuss similarities between our communities and how they identified the need for a shop (and why a shop?). This will be an open discussion. To learn from each other, discuss stories etc.
  • How they started and the process to follow – also to plan a support strategy. Here we will also look at getting feedback from each of the volunteers from each group.

Community Organisation:
Spirit of Springburn

Exchange Host Partners:
Cranhill Development Trust

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Development Trust Association Scotland

"We discussed our journeys with start-up and becoming a development trust. She shared a lot of really relevant information and our stories are very similar, right down to the pressure involved! CDT are way ahead of us in development. They provide such a lot of support right in the middle of the community and a lot of activities take place in their own building. Made me realise how 'hemmed' in we are in the shopping centre unit. Also encouraged me to initiate progress to our next steps. Prioritising how we go forward as a charity/DT and what our priorities should be according to Springburn Local Place Plan. A brilliant visit and we left feeling very positive and motivated. Lastly, what really helped overall was to hear Carnhill's journey. It's a high stress environment and the needs are great. We were reassured that we are doing the 'right things' and following the right paths. Knowing that helped a lot. Issues we face are common ones. Support and suggestions to move forward helped a lot as there wasn't anything that we've faced, that the CDT team haven't already come across. Reassuring."