In partnership with Social Enterprise Academy, we have supported 47 new Scots through six leadership and social enterprise programmes since summer 2021.

This includes several one-day workshops, as well as an intensive and unique multi-day leadership programme which took place in Glasgow over eight months.

Fourteen emerging leaders with experience of the asylum system and/or resettlement were selected from applicants to attend the 8-month course. The group developed their strategic leadership skills, enhanced their social capital and have already begun supporting one another in their leadership journeys.

On Saturday 21st May 2022 we held a graduation ceremony for our new leaders.

It was so inspiring to have so many like-minded people celebrating together in a room and sharing ideas on community engagement, leadership and social enterprise.

Many in the group have already seen successes as a result of taking part in the course.

  • Twelve of the leaders have now signed up to complete their leadership qualification with Social Enterprise Academy
  • Four participants have already secured volunteering opportunities and three have secured employment, including two who have joined our Community Development team
  • One participant has been selected to take part in Ideas into Action programmes delivered by The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) in London
  • One community group (United Yemeni Scottish Community) has secured significant funding to increase its capacity and has increased its membership through various community-led activities

And there’s great news for future leaders too. Foundation Scotland has agreed to fund another cohort of the leadership programme – watch this space!

Photos: Bart Madejski at Open Aye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Afuakwah
Author: Chris Afuakwah