On Friday 10th January 2025, we were delighted to welcome Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, to our Impact Hub office and co-working space on Castle Street as part of celebrating our 21 years in business. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our 21 year journey of supporting social enterprises, entrepreneurs and communities across the Highlands and Islands through our consultancy services and affordable co-working and office spaces.
We prepared a presentation, whereby we discussed the consultancy work carried out by our business team, discussed the crucial role that social enterprises and community organisations play in rural communities. Highlighting how they develop drive local economies, provide essential services, and create social connections and belonging in their communities.
We also prepared a presentation, which included speakers from local social enterprises that we have assisted over the years. We heard from our Director, Leigh-Ann Little, who is a past business support client and CEO of local social enterprise, The Oxygen Works. Leigh-Ann shared how the free support they received from us through the Just Enterprise programme helped with their social enterprise to adapt, grow and thrive.
We are delighted that as well as visiting us, the Deputy First Minister also visited Àban Outdoor to hear about the work they do to support young people to gain confidence and grow through access to the outdoors on their doorstep. Impact Hub Inverness has worked with Àban since it was just an idea in someones mind, giving business advice at various stages of its development, as well as a hot desk membership in our co-working space.
Reflecting on her visit to both Impact Hub and Àban, the Deputy First Minister said:
"To enhance community wellbeing, we have allocated more than £6 million for social enterprises in this year's draft budget.
We have funded Impact Hub in Inverness to provide tailored business advice and coaching to local social enterprises. Past finding also enabled Àban to access business training and provide mountaineering, swimming and cycling sessions to young people free of charge."
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this special occasion, including Deputy First Minster Kate Forbes for her continued support for social enterprises. We are truly grateful to all the social enterprises, entrepreneurs, and community organisations that have been part of our journey over the last 21 years. A big thank you to Café Artysans for their delicious bakes that added a lovely touch to the celebration. We're excited for the future and look forward to continuing to support and collaborate with our amazing community as we embark on the next chapter of our journey.
Here's to many more years of making a positive impact together!
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