New Ready to RISE Programme

Published: January 30, 2024

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Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for Social Enterprise) is a programme for women looking to learn about social enterprise and use their skills and passions to make a living, create their ideal workplace, and make a positive impact in their community.

What Is Involved?

A partnership between the Challenges Group and Firstport, Ready to RISE is funded by Scottish Government’s Pathways Pre-Start Fund, which aims to help more people from underrepresented groups become entrepreneurs. Ready to RISE is aimed at women in Scotland who want to return to work after a career break, or want a career change to design their ideal workplace (one that allows them to make a living, work flexibly and use their skills).

Those interested in joining the programme do not need a business idea to participate in Ready to RISE: “Whatever your background or experience, you will already have skills that could help you start and run a business.” As long as participants are open to learning about social entrepreneurship and how it could help them design their ideal workplace, Firstport will help work out the rest.

Between February and March 2024, Ready to RISE will work with women to:

  • increase their knowledge
  • confidence and networks
  • identify their existing skills and ideal work/life blend
  • generate business ideas with a social or environmental impact
  • access practical and financial support to turn those ideas into businesses

Anyone who decides not to pursue a business idea will be signposted to a range of volunteering, employment or further education opportunities.

How to Take Part

Those interested in joining the programme should attend one of the information sessions; the information sessions cover the basics of social entrepreneurship, and highlight other women already running their social enterprises, with the opportunity to meet like-minded peers.

The next session takes place online (via Teams), on Wednesday 24th January, 10am – 11am: BOOKING LINK

From there, anyone who wants to sign up for the programme should complete a short Expression of Interest form (linked for your convenience).

Further Information

For further information, including support provided by the programme, please visit the dedicated programme page.

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