Firstport

Looking for social investment? StepUp is our new Social Investment programme for social enterprises that want to repeat or scale ideas that have previously delivered growth for their business. To find out more about StepUp & Social Investment from Firstport, get in touch. #socialinvestment #businessgrowth

As a Social Enterprise ourselves, we know that getting started and seeking funding can be confusing and daunting. In addition to popular Advice for Advisor sessions, we have designed a series of upcoming events called Office Hours to help you demystify all the jargon and criteria for applying for funding. Our next free event is on the 18th of November. To attend visit https://lnkd.in/e5HWZNiH #socialenterprise #socent #socialimpact

Are you considering social investment? Our social investment award Step Up offers 0% interest loans from £5k to £30k to fund successful growth strategies. It is for Social enterprises based in Scotland that want to repeat or scale ideas that have previously delivered growth for their businesses. Sounds like what you're looking for? Get in touch to learn more. #socialinvestment #socialimpact #socent #businessgrowth

👏 👏 👏 well done James, the website looks fantastic!

Developed through a start-up grant from Firstport for social entrepreneurs, Equine Qualifications UK CIC is all about connecting equestrian learners and providers, making the industry more accessible and breaking down the barriers to getting involved. We're creating a network to promote diversity and inclusion, all while working towards a more ethical and sustainable future for the sector. This is a crucial moment for the equestrian industry, and it's time to come together to protect our social license and build a future that's sustainable. ----- HOW DOES IT WORK? EQUK is building an online database of equestrian educational opportunities. It provides search engine optimised listings for education providers which allows prospective learners to easily compare opportunities. Think UniCompare or FindAMasters, but for the equine industry. Advertising revenue generated not only gives education providers an online listing, but also helps to fund proactive widening access and outreach work which systematically breaks down the barriers to participation. WHAT SERVICES DOES EQUK PROVIDE? EQUK's website has been built using the four pillars of SEO, but it goes a step further by taking education providers directly to the source of their applicants. Our aim is to work with every riding school across the UK to support the grassroots of the equestrian industry. Prospective learners benefit from free support and guidance, bespoke for equine industry. WHAT IS THE VISION? EQUK's research conducted throughout 2023 identified three core barriers to participation: finance, belonging and geography. EQUK's goal is to offer funding and finance to those from education provider's target widening access backgrounds, funded by the advertising revenue generated from listings. It also aims to support the development of apprenticeships in a manner which supports the sustainability of equestrian businesses. ----- EQUK aims to bridge the gap which currently exists between opportunities and those learners keen to access them. It understands and acknowledges the challenges, and is offering a mechanism to help overcome them. As a sector, equestrianism needs to improve its attitude to education: we can view it as a positive means to gain the necessary experience. It's also a means for those with experience to formalize it. We can do and be so much better as a sector. You can find the links in the comments about how to get involved. 👇

Today I can finally announce an important milestone! 🎉 It is a day to pause, savor, and celebrate with cake (of course!) and a heart full of gratitude. A while back, I got an idea for a social enterprise, an idea sparked by a love of creativity and local community. I imagined a way to bring people together, to slow down and create something meaningful, thread by thread. But back then, it was just an idea. Fast forward to today, and I'm beyond grateful to see that idea startimg to take shape. Thanks to the incredible support from Firstport Social Enterprise Boost Fund funding and the encouragement of so many amazing people along the way, I'm now one step closer to making this vision a reality - all while continuing my current work and learning so much along the way. Each word of advice, every cheer have meant the world to me. Thank you for making this journey so meaningful and for inspiring me to keep moving forward. So here's to all of you who have been part of this story from the start! I can't wait to share what's next, and I'm thrilled to have you along for the ride. One stitch and one step at a time.🧵❤️ Junction Point CIC Gavin Spencer BA FCCA Kate Duffy Melissa Middleton Carol Merchant PNE Natalya Radko Mark Henderson BEM, BA (Hons), DipNEBOSH, Cert IOSH Chista Zarei 💕

What a fantastic video. Well done Equine Qualifications UK CIC!

As a Social Enterprise ourselves, we know that it can be confusing and daunting. In addition to popular Advice for Advisor sessions, we have designed a series of upcoming events called Office Hours to help you demystify all the jargon and criteria for applying for funding.

This is a great opportunity for social entrepreneurs to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create meaningful change in Scotland and the UK. Curious? Join an information session and apply before 20th Nov.