Co-op News September 2021

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8 | SEPTEMBER 2021 RETAIL Scotmid launches intervention scheme to get people out of crime A collaborative pilot programme to help people involved in crime to make positive life changes has been launched by Scotmid Co-op. Project RISE (Recovering in a Supported Environment), which will be piloted in Leith, has been designed to intervene and support local people by encouraging them to avoid potential criminal situations, suggesting alternative choices and signposting individuals to support services. It will work in partnership with several organisations including Cyrenians, Turning Point, Link-Up, Connecting Circles and Police Scotland. Scotmid hopes to roll the programme out across other areas of the city, where additional resources and support would help make a difference. Nick McGuirk, project manager for the scheme, said: “As a retailer based in the heart of our communities, we are in a fortunate position to be able to identify and reach some of the most vulnerable people in our local areas. We’re pleased to work collaboratively with some fantastic charities to ensure we can support as many people as possible, helping them to make more positive life choices.” Carmen McShane, Scotland service manager of Turning Point, said: “It has never been so important to make mainstream services more accessible for those who suffer from alcohol and other drug use. “Accessing support and treatment can be a protective factor in reducing overdose, therefore, outreach work in Leith, and other local communities like this, is vital if we want to prevent drug-related deaths. I’m so pleased to work with Scotmid, Connecting Circles, Cyrenians and Link Up in this initiative to deliver the support to people in our community who need it.” A spokesperson at Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland is looking forward to working alongside our partners in this pilot programme, designed to make positive changes for those who require support and help. We hope the programme will expand its work to other areas, so that people can avoid potentially dangerous circumstances, whilst flourishing in their communities.” In other news from Scotmid, the society has joined up with development agency Scottish Enterprise to invest in the Alcoholic Water Company, a hard seltzer business set up by a team of drinks industry entrepreneurs. The business, set up in 2019, wants to develop the “world’s most sought after portfolio of hard seltzers” – alcoholic flavoured waters. It is a collaboration between Glasgow-based Start-Up Drinks Lab and London’s Whitelabel Group. Scotmid has purchased a minority stake, and says it will bring trade expertise from its grocery network, alongside mentoring and business support. CEO John Brodie said: “This is a fast growing sector of the market and there are opportunities to establish a brand at the premium end.” RETAIL Southern Co-op continues efforts to help young people off the dole Southern Co-op is taking its third cohort of Kickstarters – 16 to 24 year olds at risk of long-term unemployment – next month. The government scheme was set up to help young people off universal credit and the new recruits will bring the number on placement at Southern to nearly 40. The placements are spread across the independent retail co-op’s head office in Portsmouth and a number of its food and funeral sites. Sarah Kavanagh, the society’s business transformation and HR director, said: “Unemployment has been higher in younger age groups for some time and unfortunately this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. It is clear to us that they need additional help now to get back into work or to take the first step toward full time employment. “The Kickstart Scheme means we look for people aged 16 to 24, with the right attitude, and give them the opportunity to learn new skills while being paid. “We expected it to take a bit of time for some to find their feet and get into the routine of work but, after about three weeks, we have been getting some great feedback. One manager described their new starter as ‘100% amazing’, ‘flexible, keen and willing to try anything’.” The placements are funded by the Government for 25 hours per week for six months and referrals are made on to the scheme via local Jobcentres. The job placements provide opportunities to young people who may have been overlooked before due to lack of experience. Southern’s programme is also giving young adults a chance to gain a Level One Certificate in Employability Skills at Havant & South Downs College.
SEPTEMBER 2021 | 9 AWARDS Finalists named for the Social Business Wales Awards recognising those organisations which have pivoted, grown and thrived in these most challenging conditions. “We wish all the businesses shortlisted the best of luck at the awards. We hope that, whatever the outcome, their success will inspire a generation of future social entrepreneurs.” The full list of categories and shortlisted finalists is as follows Social Enterprise of the Year • Creating Enterprise • The Community Impact Initiative • Therapeutic Activities Group CIC • One to Watch Wales Co-operative Centre has unveiled the list of finalists for this year’s Social Business Wales Awards. This year there are two headline categories – Wales Social Enterprise of the Year, which looks for excellent vision and strategic direction as well as a clearly evidenced social, environmental and community impact, and Wales One to Watch, which looks for new and innovative social enterprises with an impressive initial impact and strong vision for the future. The other categories are Tech for Good; Community Impact; and Social Enterprise Team of the Year. The Social Business Wales Awards are being held virtually for the first time on 5 October. The awards, which have run since 2010, are part of the Social Business Wales project which is funded by Welsh government and the European Regional Development Fund. Derek Walker, CEO of Wales Cooperative Centre and delivery lead for the Social Business Wales project, said: “Trading conditions have been significantly disrupted for a lot of businesses over the last 18 months, so for this year’s awards we are looking to celebrate the resilience and the entrepreneurial spirit of the social business sector. “The 2021 awards will also be a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions made by social businesses in Wales, Amathanon CIC (Carmarthen Food) • Drosi Bikes • Prom Ally • Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise Cardiff Cleaning Services (APP UK) • Empower – Be the Change • Denbighshire Music Co-operative • Community Impact PTAWA Enterprises Ltd • Green Willow Funerals Ltd • Iorwerth Arms • Glyn Wylfa • Social Enterprise Team of the Year • Creating Enterprise • Empower Be The Change • Llangefni Town Football Club HOUSING Government launches £4m fund for community housing The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has made £4m worth of grants available to eligible community organisations. The scheme, which runs in England (outside Greater London), is funded through the Community Housing Fund Revenue Programme 2021/22. It will help cover the revenue costs of project-specific activities to support the development of community-led housing proposals. The programme is managed by Community Led Homes, a partnership of four leading community led housing organisations: Confederation of Cooperative Housing, Locality, National Community Land Trust Network and UK Cohousing Network. It is aimed at schemes which can prove their deliverability and are at the later stages of pre-development, and will fund pre-development work so that schemes can complete the work required to progress the scheme towards: • submitting a planning application, and/or • submitting a capital funding bid, and/o • getting to start on site. The pre-development work funded must be completed by the end of March 2022 so applications are recommended to be made as soon as possible. MHCLG adds that the programme will not be suitable for groups who are just forming and need start-up support, or schemes that are at an early stage of predevelopment. • Email grants@communityledhomes.org. uk or visit bit.ly/3zkQM6V
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Co-op News September 2021

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