ERREF Case studies

Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) is a charity that supports young people from all backgrounds by developing their business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

YES were looking to repurpose yard space at Rouken Glen Park into workshop units and outdoor collaborative space, creating a 'village square' that nurtures business ideas and supports young people to have a "Square Go" at bringing their ideas to life. ERREF provided £35,000 of funding which helped to deliver the Square Go project. The Project also received £121,000 from the Place Based Investment Programme.

The Square Go area now supports 16-30 year olds, with free safe and collaborative spaces, employability opportunities and links to training, apprenticeships and business mentors. All within a nurtured and practical working space.

Funding helped to deliver:

• installation of 5 pods made from upcycled shipping containers to create a unique collaborative working space with free Wi-Fi, heating and electricity
• support an annual cohort of 5 young people, through a yearlong residency to develop a new business start up
• opportunities for additional young people to take part in employability learning programmes at the new space and take inspiration from the young entrepreneurs in residence

Emma Soanes, YE Scotland Chief Executive commented:
 

"Each pod is a hub of possibility, aiming to support the enterprise journey. It provides a safe space for young entrepreneurs to 'learn by doing' within a supportive community. We are hugely grateful for the support received."

    

Cowan Park Gate Lodge has undergone extensive renovation to re-open as a Community and Enterprise Hub in Cowan Park, Barrhead. Through Scottish Government's Regeneration and Capital Grant Fund and East Renfrewshire Council funds, an investment of £1.2 million has been made to bring this derelict building back into a community use.

The Community and Enterprise Hub is now a new focus for local Barrhead charity, Include Me 2 Club, who provide support for individuals with additional support needs, disabilities and mental health conditions.

IM2C received £32,095 of ERREF funding in 2022 towards the development and delivery of this facility which includes a community space and the Social Blend café. ERREF Funding has supported:

• furniture and equipment to support the 2 social enterprise groups
• two cargo containers to store bikes and maintain bikes for The Bike Hub
• an electric Cycling Without Age adapted bike to encourage Cycling for All
• creation of 8 new jobs including 2 opportunities for IM2C employability programme users

Paul McIlvenny, Chairperson and Co-founder of IM2C commentated

"The ERREF fund allowed us to expand the initial plans for the Bike Hub project and enabled us to purchase a specialised Cycling without Age bike, the first of its kind in East Renfrewshire to open up cycling activities to many people who cannot cycle themselves."

        

Whitecraigs Rugby Club (WRC) in Newton Mearns provides outdoor facilities to many local sports clubs, community organisations and schools.

The club needed to invest in new floodlights to replace broken, dangerous and inefficient floodlights that did not provide sufficient light to the pitches and training area to allow groups to use in darkness. The floodlights regularly required maintenance which were expensive and also reduced the use of the facilities for local groups.

The East Renfrewshire Renewable Energy Fund (ERREF) contributed £25,282 to the purchase of new LED energy efficient floodlights which allow the club to continue providing a valuable service to the community.

The new LED floodlights are more energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions, and will save money on energy bills and maintenance costs which can be invested back into the club.

Hugh Henderson, Chairman of WRC commented

"The grant from ERREF was so important for us. It has allowed us to provide a safer, much-improved, well-lit facility that can be enjoyed by all sports' participants at all times of the year. To add to that, it also enabled us to reduce our energy consumption and save money."