A social enterprise project in Aberdeen for people with learning disabilities that was due for closure is to be saved by an enterprising third sector approach, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather announced today.
The Aye Can project, which was scheduled for closure on July 31, will now reopen on August 1 as an aluminium and steel recycling business, saving 29 jobs for people with learning disabilities. The project will be operated by the social enterprise Inspire and will receive funding support from the Scottish Government, the Wood Family Trust and Aberdeen City Council.
Mather said:
"By using the social enterprise business model, the third sector can provide social and environmental benefits in a sustainable way, earning the income that helps them grow and deliver more services.”
He said he fully expects that other project will be able to make the transition to the third sector once their business plans have been examined.
He continued:
"The third sector is often best placed to connect with those individuals the public sector finds hardest to reach, and to bring employment opportunities, and income to individuals where the private sector doesn't operate.
"This Government is determined to build on the ambitions of enterprising Scots, to turn around previously lacklustre economic performance and to ensure that more people benefit from an increasingly successful economy."
Sir Ian Wood, chair of the Wood Family Trust, said that they are happy to be working with the Scottish Government to encourage outsourcing of local authority services to the third sector, and they intend to work with both the Government and Inspire over the next few months to see if there are similar opportunities that can be developed.
Catriona McPhee-Smith, CEO of Inspire, said:
"We are delighted that our professional approach and commitment to people with learning disabilities has been recognised by the Scottish Government, Sir Ian Wood and Aberdeen City Council.
“We support hundreds of people locally and therefore welcome the opportunity to engage in this pioneering partnership which will allow us to take forward this innovative model. We hope it will pave the way for future social enterprise development for Inspire and for third sector organisations across Scotland."
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