Fledgling firms take first steps

Two entrepreneurs from Ayr have joined the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs programme.

The year- long project is run in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs ( SSE).

Would- be entrepreneurs are encouraged to develop their own social businesses through the provision of financial support and comprehensive learning support including a business mentoring scheme.

The entrepreneurs each receive start- up grants of £ 4000 from the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme.

The two entrepreneurs to join the scheme are Robbie Norval ( Lingo Flamingo) and Angela McNay ( The Refuge).

Lingo Flamingo offers tailored foreign language workshops delivered by students and refugees to older citizens to help battle against dementia and brain ageing workshops create a positive and inspiring environment to stimulate our adult learners.

The Refuge is a social restaurant that brings the community together through the sharing of food and restores pride and dignity to those in the community facing food poverty.

Alastair Wilson, CEO of School for Social Entrepreneurs, said: “It is fantastic to welcome another cohort of motivated entrepreneurs to the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs, and I look forward to seeing how our new students shape their ideas and develop their social businesses with the valuable support of the programme throughout the year.”