With over 6,000 social enterprises across Scotland, chances are you know some of them without realising it!
A social enterprise can be the zero-waste shop where you get your groceries, the community café where you meet friends, the craft beer or artisan chocolate brand with a social purpose, the clothing label supporting people facing homelessness or a local community space running affordable workshops and activities.
Organisations that have adopted a social enterprise model embody a more ethical and sustainable way of doing business by having a key social or environmental mission at the hear of what they do and actively reinvesting their profits to build a fairer society, a more inclusive economy, and a healthier planet.
Social enterprises are often led by passionate people who care about making Scotland a better place for everyone. Because they are trading organisations who sell a product, service or experience, they are a great option to spend your pounds for purpose and purchase local, ethical and sustainable. If you're looking for a gift for a loved one (or for yourself!), chances are there's a social enterprise that offers it.
Wouldn't it be great to know that you're not only offering a thoughtful gift to a a friend or a family member, while also helping to fight some of the most pressing issues we face from autism to care, employability, homelessness, mental health, and so on?
During the pandemic, social enterprises have been hit hard and yet, they have shown incredible resilience, creativity and determination to keep going and support their local communities by providing food parcels, bicycles for key workers, online activities for school kids stuck at home, kindness calls and much more.
This festive season, consider purchasing gifts that make a difference, help us share the word about the #BuySocialScotland campaign and help support social enterprises that deliver a positive impact in our communities.
