GrowBiz project gains the first top standard
An award-winning business mentoring programme run by Blairgowrie-based GrowBiz has become the first in Scotland to achieve the Scottish Mentoring Network Quality Standard.
The news was announced at the annual Scottish Mentoring Network conference, held last week in Edinburgh.
Set up over 20 years ago, the network offers a range of services, including a quality standard designed specifically for mentoring projects in Scotland.
To achieve the accreditation, an organisation must demonstrate that its commitment to delivering a service meets the expectations and requirements of those taking part in its mentoring programme – and that the initiative is applying good practice in all areas.
The GrowBiz mentoring programme – first established in 2014 – is the first enterprise-focused scheme to be accredited in Scotland.
Those behind the programme, which is delivered through LEADER funding for the Enterprising Rural Perthshire project, are delighted that both its approach and its success have been recognised by the Scottish Mentoring Network.
Alan Garratt is the mentoring programme co-ordinator and also an enterprise facilitator for GrowBiz, a community-based enterprise support organisation.
He said:“It is absolutely fantastic to have achieved this quality award from the Scottish Mentoring Network and we are over the moon that the hard work and dedication of the mentoring team at GrowBiz and all our volunteer mentors has been recognised.”
GrowBiz CEO Jackie Brierton congratulated the mentoring team on their achievement, commenting: “GrowBiz is helping to increase employment in rural Perthshire, thereby enhancing the rural economy, and the mentoring programme, which currently has over 70 participants, plays an integral part in that.
“It’s a win-win situation for everyone. The mentees benefit from being challenged, from focusing and prioritising, and developing new personal skills and abilities, while the mentors enjoy the challenge and opportunity to guide, encourage and empower mentees from many different enterprises.”
Iain Matheson, vice-chair of the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Action Group which funds the Enterprising Rural Perthshire project that runs the mentoring programme, added:“It’s fantastic to see the hard work put in by the mentoring team being recognised, this project perfectly demonstrates the ethos of the LEADER programme, congratulations to all involved.”
The mentoring programme also received a number of awards at the conference including the Scottish Mentoring Network’s business project of the year. 2018 is the third year in a row that the programme has received this award.
GrowBiz mentoring coordinator and enterprise facilitator Clair Smith received a highly commended award in the employee category and GrowBiz client Emma Arblaster was highly commended in the mentor category.