Forth Sector

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http://www.forthsector.org.uk

Forth Sector is one of Scotland’s leading social enterprises. It works to reduce exclusion, discrimination and disadvantage faced by people with mental health problems by creating supportive employment opportunities. On top of this, Forth Sector Development shares the experience of running these social firms to assist others develop their own initiatives. The judges felt Forth Sector is an especially deserving finalist because it is not just a highly successful social enterprise in its own right – it also because it helps to develop others.

1 nomination from readers

  • As one of the leading social enterprises in Scotland, Forth Sector creates employment opportunities for people with mental health problems. They strive to combat exclusion, discrimination and disadvantage faced by individuals while creating sustainable businesses providing a professional standard of service.

    Their portfolio includes a range of highly regarded businesses. Diversity in services ensures that there is a good breadth of opportunity available to the client group they work with. Each year they help over 100 people with mental health problems into long term employment or training.

    Forth Sector has also created Forth Sector Development (FSD) which uses their experience of running social firms to assist others to develop their own social enterprise initiatives. FSD provides support and signposting on all aspects of development and have been instrumental in the production of guides on ‘Developing a Social Enterprise’, ‘Social Added Value’ and ‘Tendering for Public Contracts’. Over the past 18 months we have worked with Forth Sector Development who delivered tailored training to our staff on core business skills. Using their experience and expertise in social enterprise development, this training has enriched the knowledge base within our organisation. As a charity in a climate that is moving away from trust and grant funding we, like Forth Sector, recognise that business development is an important factor in securing the future of our services. This award would be recognition of their commitment to social enterprise and its continued development through sharing best practice and models developed from their success.

    Nominated by Des Ryan, 16 May 2008

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