The Price of Bravery: Embracing Self-Sustainability for Equitable Access in Scotland

In 2022, our organisation conducted an in-depth research study to explore how we and the broader employability services in Scotland could enhance our approach to supporting Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic communities and individuals.

The findings were clear and thought-provoking: to truly challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change, we needed to stop accessing traditional funding due to its restrictive nature and lack of alignment with our mission.

This decision was pivotal in urging us to continue practical disruption in the employability ecosystem and challenge funding bodies to rethink and reform their engagement with grassroots and multiethnic-led organisations. As a result, we have spent the last 18 months working with the Robertson Trust using our various frameworks and programmes. We also worked with other organisations, however, these are still at the beginning of the journey. We will share the results of their progression at a later stage.

Our Social Mission.

We are excited to share a crucial aspect of our organisation with you. As a self-funding entity, as well as our consultancy, we provide employment and career support to marginalised individuals. The income we generate from our services, courses, and consultations directly fuels our mission, enabling us to offer free and accessible services to those who need them most.

At the beginning of this year, we embarked on a journey towards self-sustainability, all while educating funders on the need to enhance their support for impact-driven and community-led organisations. The majority of the time, I was giving my time for free, and that is not a sustainable business model.

Adapting the way we work to ensure we can continue to support our communities while they need us.

By choosing our range of services, courses and programmes, you are not only investing in your development but also contributing to the empowerment of marginalised communities.

Our self-sustaining model ensures we maintain the freedom and flexibility to deliver impactful support without relying on external funding. This autonomy allows us to stay true to our mission and respond swiftly to the needs of the communities we serve.

Our approach allows us to apply for funding only where it matches our approach to the needs of the individuals and communities we support.

Affordable Pricing for Equitable Access

We understand the financial constraints that many charities, third-sector entities, and smaller organisations face. Therefore, we have designed our pricing structure to ensure fair access to our practical courses and online sessions, particularly for these early adopters.

We make our live sessions and courses affordable by offering early bird and limited offers before the price increases to its market value. This approach removes the lack of access some charities and smaller organisations experience when seeking quality resources, making them feel included and valued in our community.

Looking Ahead

We are optimistic and excited about the future. Depending on the degree of our income generation, we hope to resume our employment and business start-up support before the end of the year. Your support and engagement are crucial to making this possible.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and partnership in creating a more equitable and inclusive world. Your contributions are not just financial but a testament to your belief in our mission and the communities we serve. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Feel free to engage with us and share your thoughts on how funding can help or hinder impactful work. We look forward to continuing this critical conversation and driving change together, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

By embracing a self-sustaining model, we are advancing our mission and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable approach to support within our sector. This bold move challenges traditional funding mechanisms and underscores our commitment to genuine, community-led change. Thank you for standing with us as we navigate this transformative path.