Scallops direct now employs eight people and hopes to take on more in the near future.

The business processes fresh scallops caught by local fishermen for supply to restaurants, hotels and businesses within a reasonable radius to Annan as well as the wholesale fish markets.

As a social enterprise Scallops Direct, puts society before profit and aims to create a sustainable company which will have a positive impact on the local community by helping people who are disadvantaged and far from the labour market.

Scallops Direct is also re-introducing traditional hand “shucking” skills to the area which were almost lost when the scallops processing industry left the area 20 years ago.

Geoff states that around 80 per cent of shell fish are exported to other countries and very little ends up in shops and restaurants in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Geoff, who has been involved in setting up social enterprises for around15 years, is also Director of not-for-profit Borders Social Enterprise Ltd which creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are long term unemployed and struggle to get back into the labour market.

In order to raise the cash he needed to set-up Scallops Direct, Geoff turned to DSL which runs a £1.5 million loan fund for social enterprises, charities, and small and start-up businesses.

Not-for-profit firms can borrow up to £50,000 for DSL’s Social Enterprise Fund.

Under the Government scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, DSL can also give loans to small and start-up firms even if they have been turned down by the banks, have no security or their idea is considered “high risk”.

As DSL is also social enterprise it does not distribute profits but instead uses any money it makes to help other social enterprise and small firms to create jobs and investment, especially in disadvantaged areas

Geoff and his co-director, Siobhan Hoare at Scallops Direct, who do not take a salary out of the business, anticipate that turnover will be £180,000 in the first 12 months of trading and double that for 2012-2013.

Commenting on his latest venture Geoff said: “: We sell high quality scallops caught locally from a named boat and within 24 hours these are hand chucked, cleaned and packaged at our processing plant in Annan. They can be supplied washed in the shell, freshly packed, frozen and in the half shell.

“Unemployment in the surrounding area of Annan is quite high especially with the de-commissioning of the nearby Chapple Cross Power station. We want to develop training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged adults and help local fishermen obtain a fairer price for their catch.

“We have been approached by a number of local small fishermen to process their scallops as they don’t have the economies of scale to deliver to the big processors.

“I’ve been involved in setting up a number of social enterprises over the years. Although I have always tried to be positive and not get let my deafness get in the way of my career and my life, I probably empathize with people who feel excluded from society because of my deafness. I have excellent lip reading skills which helped me to get through University and my first jobs in industry without telling my tutors or employers I was deaf!! I felt that people would have made allowances for my disability and I may not have progressed so well!!”

Geoff decided to approach DSL Business Finance for cash when he heard about them through his social enterprise links. He added: “I felt that because DSL are a social enterprise they would offer the right type of support for the business. I found chatting to them very useful and they in turn showed a lot of enthusiasm about the business. Our bank offered us very limited support but this appears to be a common problem for small businesses due to the state of the economy.”

Eunice Lancaster, General Manager of DSL Business Finance said that Scallops Direct is the first small firm in Dumfries and Galloway to receive support from DSL.

She explained: “Since DSL was set-up in 1993 it has helped more than 600 businesses across Glasgow and the West of Scotland to create 2,000 jobs by providing investment of £7 million.

“As a result we recently expanded and are now able to provide loans to small firms in areas out with the central belt such as Dumfries and Galloway. Our aim is very simple: we want to help small firms to set-up and grow and create investment and jobs in their communities.

“Many social enterprises struggle to raise the necessary funding they need to start-up or expand as traditional sources of finance, such as the banks, don’t really understand the sector. The assumption is often wrongly made that not-for-profit firms are more high risk than other businesses

“For this reason DSL has a special loan fund tailored to the needs of social enterprises. We also have more than 15 years experience of lending to social enterprises, charities and small and start-up businesses so we know the issues they face.

“Although we are a social enterprise ourselves, we are self financing and receive very little public sector funding. We generate income from interest on existing loans and other sources on bank finance.

“We are an ethical lender and can lend to clients even if they have been turned down by the banks. However, our clients still have to go through rigorous checks and approvals before we will lend. This includes a “Dragons Den” style loan panel made up of experts from the world of business and finance. The panel, who are unpaid, will assess the application but they are not just looking at the figures. They look at the social impact the business is likely to have and whether the client is credible, trustworthy and capable of running a successful business.”

DSL is continuing to see a significant increase in the number of small firms who say they have been unable to raise money from the banks due to the economic slowdown. Many of them turn to DSL as a last resort. Research shows that 82 per cent of clients believe DSL to be their only available source of business finance.

If you think DSL could help your business please contact them on Tel: 0141 425 2930 or go to www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk.

For more information about Scallops Direct Alba Ltd please contact: Geoff Tunstall on gptunstall@aol.com or ring Siobhan Hoare on 077966 81650.

The Social Enterprise Exchange, which is taking place in Glasgow on 27 March, is working with more than 15 social enterprise suppliers.  The event’s organisers – Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise Scotland and CEIS Events – are aiming for 80% of the event’s supply chain to be made up of social enterprises.

Entertainment on the day is going to be provided by The Walking Theatre Company and Drumatik – an inclusive community drumming group from West Fife that works with people with learning disabilities.

Delegate bags are being supplied by SoFair (www.sofair.org.uk). This social enterprise works in partnership with Vandanamu Ethical Cotton (VEC), an employer of local women who were affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Women are paid fair wages and have good working conditions.

Behind the scenes professional pictures will be taken by Becky Duncan Photography (www.beckyduncanphotography.co.uk), which puts its profits into Open Aye, a provider of photography workshops for hard to reach groups in Scotland.  The team behind the cameras filming will from the Wise Group, one of Scotland’s most well know social enterprises (www.thewisegroup.co.uk).

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “We’re really pleased to be buying products and services from so many social enterprises in Scotland – all doing great work.  They’re proof that business can be a force for good in our society.”

A full list of the suppliers can be found on http://www.socialenterpriseexchange.com/suppliers/

To book your place please visit www.socialenterpriseexchange.com

The foundry originally rose from the ashes of the iron works in Foundry Loan Larbert, when owners Falcon Catering (Glynwed) decided to close in 2001 as work shifted first to England and then to the massive new factories which were being built in China and India.

Then Foundry Manager, Steve Waring (61) decided to take over the business, re-locating it, and the equipment, to a derelict paper mill on the banks of the river Carron in Denny.

Sixteen of the highly skilled foundry workers came with him, including 76 year old Charlie Finlay who started in the industry as a 14 year old and continues to work in the foundry today making complex moulds for high integrity castings.  

Ten years on Specialised Castings Ltd now provides complete foundry services from pattern making to casting through to finishing processes to a diverse customer base including engineering, oil and gas, catering, architectural and restoration sectors.

The business, which can trace its history back to one of the earliest foundries in Scotland – the Falkirk Iron Works which was formed in 1819 by workers from Carron Iron Works, continues to go from strength to strength with an average annual turnover of around £1.5 million per annum.

In 2005 Ian Walker, formerly of Taylor Group Foundries Larbert, joined the company as Foundry Manager, with James Smith, Metallurgist and John Leslie, Sales Manager completing the Management team in 2008

Recent commissions include large pipes and castings used in fire fighting, pumps for North Sea oil platforms and decorative works such as a replacement fountain canopy for Lesmahagow, over 100 metres of main guttering for Paisley Cathedral and restoration of the iron works in the ancient Valley Cemetery in Stirling’s old town next to the castle.

Specialised Castings is also believed to be the sole supplier of cast iron Royal Mail small lampletter boxes.  It also sells beautiful reproduction products such as ornate clothes poles, fire place backs and garden bench ends direct to the public through its website www.thecastironcuriosityshop.co.uk

In order to develop the business, Steve turned to DSL Business Finance for £30,000 of backing earlier this year after banks reduced small business lending due to the financial downturn.

Glasgow-based DSL runs a £1.5 million loan fund to help small and start-up businesses create jobs and investment, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Under the Government scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, DSL can provide micro-finance of up to £30,000 to small firms even if they have been turned down by the banks.

82% of DSL clients believed DSL to be their only available source of business finance as small businesses continue to struggle to raise bank cash due to the economic downturn. 

Steve, whose wife Nanette also works at the firm, said: “When I decided to take over the foundry every one said I was mad as manufacturing was a thing of the past and I’d never be able to compete with the huge new, high volume, industry in developing counties such as China, India and Taiwan.

“But this just didn’t seem right to me. I’ve worked in the foundry industry all my life so knew there was a market to supply specialised products to people who can’t get what they want from high volume at low prices from abroad.

 “I wanted to keep the foundry industry alive and retain jobs for skilled foundry men and bring young people back into the industry. I now employ 4 young people including an apprentice Pattern Maker thanks to the support of Falkirk District Council’s Training Unit.

 “The success of Specialised Castings is due to having a broad customer base and a committed hard working team of foundrymen, who take a pride in our products. One day we can be producing huge compressor castings for power generation and mining companies the next we’ll be making tiny decorative badges for a pipe band or door catches for the Austin A30. I’m not over dependent on one sector like some of the foundries were in the past.

“However, this is a very capital intensive business. The price of metal has shot up in recent years, and even though I recycle scrap. the cost of buying materials is exorbitant. The furnaces used to melt the metal down use a lot of electricity and the power companies are much more dififficult to deal with nowadays”

Commenting on his support from DSL Steve, a Yorkshireman now living in Dunblane, added: “I don’t think we would be here if DSL hadn’t backed us. As a result of their support other lenders were willing to back us. The banks just didn’t understand the foundry industry. They just assume that it’s a dead industry in Scotland and can’t believe that someone could make a success of it.

“Now I’m having to recruit more people to keep up with my order book and things are really buoyant!”

Eunice Lancaster, General Manager of the social enterprise DSL Business Finance added: “DSL has always supported manufacturing companies which we believe are very important for the economy.

“Many manufacturing companies find it hard to start-up and grow primarily because costs of equipment, machinery and raw materials can be very high. For this reason they can also struggle to raise cash from traditional lenders such as the banks, who don’t really understand the industry.  This has become even more difficult since the credit crunch began and bank finance is much harder to find.

 “DSL has social as well as financial objectives. We provide cash to small businesses that can’t get money from the banks, in order to help them to set-up, grow and create jobs and investment, especially in disadvantaged communities. Any profit we make is pumped back into providing loans for small businesses.

“I like to think that we have an ethical and prudent approach to lending. We still operate to high financial standards and have a rigorous loan application process, but we also try to get to know the person and their business needs. Clients appear before a “dragons den” style panel of experts to get their loan application approved but they also get guidance on business planning, accounts, sales and marketing.”

Since setting up in 1983 DSL has helped more than 600 businesses create 2,000 jobs by providing more than £7 million in loans.

If you think DSL could help your business please contact them on Tel: 0141 425 2930 or go to http://www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/.

For further information on Specialised Castings go to www.specialisedcastings.co.uk or Tel: 01324 820077

Research4Change is designed to get organisations from A to B without the frills, fuss, or expense of other traditional options. The focus is on small-scale assignments that help organisations to make their case, extend their influence, and develop or sustain their services. This can include market research, community consultation, best practice reviews, funding searches, service user surveys, etc.

The research support is provided by a talented pool of research graduates, early career researchers, and experienced researchers with time on their hands. In a tough economic climate the scheme has been designed to help support researchers to build or sustain a career in conducting research that matters. Only highly qualified researchers are selected.

The Research4Change programme is designed to be self-sustaining, operating as it does without grant subsidy. The costs of research design, management, supervision and support from experienced third sector researchers are built into each assignment. Quality assurance is a central feature.

Commenting on the thinking behind this new venture from the Social Value Lab, Jonathan Coburn (founding Director and Principal Consultant at the Lab) said:

“The market for third sector research is broken. Third sector organisations need research evidence now more than ever, but can’t get it at a reasonable cost or quality. Qualified researchers have a huge amount to offer, but can’t get the break that they deserve. This is our solution. It’s one that we hope will shake things up.”

The programme has received much interest from talented young researchers. Commenting on the value of the scheme, Charlotte Mitchell (one of the Research4Change pool of researchers) said:

“I qualified with an MSc in Public Health Research earlier this year and have built up quite a bit of experience working with charities in the past as a volunteer or intern. Despite this, there are limited job opportunities in the social research field at the moment. This scheme comes at a perfect time for me and will hopefully lead on to further opportunities.”

The Research4Change scheme is part of the Social Value Lab’s long-term vision to revolutionise the way that research is commissioned and conducted in the third sector. Commenting on the potential of the programme, Gerry Higgins (Chief Executive of third sector support body CEiS and a Director at the Lab) said:

“Often voluntary organisations and social enterprises are uncertain about where to shop for research support, find it difficult to verify quality, or can’t afford the excessive fees being charged by large commercial consultancies. This initiative provides a win-win situation by offering affordable research that is of genuine social value, while providing much needed opportunities to qualified researchers.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the Research4Change programme please refer to http://www.research4change.org/.

The Social Enterprise Exchange will host over 1000 delegates and 150 business exhibitors in one pavilion in this iconic Scottish venue, providing a platform  for “exchange” of , knowledge and best practice and a unique opportunity to trade and do good business. The event will will also cater for those working in the public, private and voluntary sectors interested in social enterprise policy and practice.

The Social Enterprise Exchange is being delivered by the Scottish social enterprise, CEiS Events and the event managers ambition is to set a new standard for  social enterprise supply chain engagement. The organisers will soon be promoting opportunities to social enterprise members of SEUK and SSEC.  Watch this space for further information on how to become an approved event supplier.

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said:

“We’re really excited about working with SSEC to put on the world’s biggest social enterprise event.  Our combined efforts on The Social Enterprise Exchange will make for a rich and fruitful day for delegates, filled with opportunity and high quality programme content.  We want delegates to go away feeling inspired, better informed, and with a list of new business contacts.”

Laurie Russell, Chair of the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, said:

“The Social Enterprise Exchange will showcase the strength, talent and diversity of social enterprises across the UK.  I’m delighted we are joining forces from all parts of Britain and that the event is to be held in Glasgow.  Hopefully the debate and discussion will help the sector to develop further, reach new markets and boost our position in the British economy as a whole.”

Bookings will be opening soon so please put the date in your diary, circulate the information to your colleagues and watch this space!

We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow.

Get your questions answered at the Social Enterprise Alliance’s 12th Annual Summit, October 30 to November 2, at the downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile Marriott… THE one stop place where you can get everything you always wanted to know about social enterprise.

$50 DISCOUNT: As a friend of a friend of Social Enterprise Alliance, you are eligible for a $50 discount on Summit registration. Use discount code “$50OFF” when you register, and please note that this offer may not be combined with other offers or discounts including the SEA member discount.  Become a member of SEA for an even better value package.  Click here to register for the Summit, and click here to learn more about SEA membership.

GO TO THE SUMMIT FOR FREE!: You can win a full Summit registration plus a room at the Marriott.  Click here to learn more.

The Summit offers expert advice, quality connections, and investor strategies.  Connect with over 750 social entrepreneurs, partners, and field leaders to enhance your human and financial capital, strengthen your supply chain, and help you and your organization scale to new heights.

Our speakers include:

• Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago (invited)
• Bill Drayton, Ashoka
• Darell Hammond, KaBOOM!
• Carla Javits, REDF
• Paul Carttar, Social Innovation Fund
• Priya Haji, World of Good and Saveup.com
• Jim Gibbons, Goodwill Industries International
• Leila Janah, Samasource
• Simon Mainwaring, We First
• Rey Ramsey, TechNet
• Julius Walls, Formerly of Greyston Bakery and now with Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
• David Carleton, FareStart and Catalyst Kitchens
• Gerald Chertavian, Year Up!
• Felix Brandon Lloyd, MoneyIsland/BancVue
• Judy Wicks, White Dog Café and BALLE

Summit 2011 is jam packed with 35% more programming than last year, and Summit registration includes all meals from breakfast Monday morning, October 31st, through to our closing keynote lunch on Wednesday, November 2nd.  For more information on the schedule, speakers, and reasons to join THE American gathering of social enterprise, please click here to learn more.  For a Summit schedule, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Not-for-profit firms can borrow from £5,000 to £50,000 from Glasgow-based DSL‘s Social Enterprise Fund even if they have no security. As DSL is a social enterprise itself, it does not distribute profits. Instead it uses any money it makes from loans to help other social enterprises and small firms to create jobs and investment, especially in disadvantaged areas.

DSL is also a partner with the Wise Group and CEiS, in the Scottish Government’s £4 million Enterprise Growth Fund. This will see grants of between £25,000 and £200,000 being awarded to enterprising third sector organisations with the most sustainable and ambitious business plans.

In addition, under the UK Government scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, DSL can also give loans to small and start-up businesses in the private sector even if they have been turned down by the banks, have no security or their idea is considered “high risk”.

DSL has been lending to third sector firms for the last 12 years and has a very good knowledge of the particular challenges which they face when it comes to raising money and achieving long term sustainability.

Firms that have received loans from DSL in the past include RECAP, a household goods recycling charity in Cumbernauld, and Glasgow Wood Recycling, which turns unwanted wood into beautifully crafted furniture.

Eunice Lancaster, General Manager of DSL, said: “Social Enterprises have always found it hard to raise business finance from traditional sources such as the high street banks.

“They face the double challenge of running a successful business but also fulfilling a social mission. For example, this could be a commitment to employing the long term unemployed or other disadvantaged groups. This can be more difficult and time consuming than employing the best person for the job as other small firms in the private sector would do. Staff may need more intensive training or a more flexible approach to work.

“The current economic climate is also making it more difficult for social firms to start-up and grow. Although the public sector are committed to employing more social enterprises to delivery services, it is very difficult for these firms to raise the finance they need in order to compete for contracts, perhaps with other private sector firms.”

DSL awarded RECAP a loan of £20,000 in 2008 and the firm now employs 13 people, some who were previously long term unemployed. RECAP has been so successful that it has managed to pay back the loan six months early.

Vincent Murray, who runs the charity, said: “RECAP collects, refurbishes and redistributes household goods within the local community. We also provide a range furniture storage services to local authorities.

“We aim to provide recycled goods to low income families but also create volunteering and employment opportunities for people especially from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“To date we have prevented more than 600 tonnes of unwanted goods going to landfill and have provided furniture to more than 6,500 customers.

“Many of the banks just don’t lend to the voluntary sector which is shocking. DSL are accessible, personable and sympathetic as they understand our business.

“I set up RECAP as it was a service that was badly needed in the local community. You’d be amazed at what people throw away yet there are others who desperately need furniture but can’t afford the high street prices.”

For more information go to www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk or www.recapnl.org.uk.

A Hollywood movie is the inspiration behind a designer and furniture maker who has just set-up his own business with backing from the ethical lender DSL Business Finance. One of Edinburgh-based Robin J Horn’s first contracts was to design and build a bookcase inspired by one which appeared in the Hollywood film “Broken Embraces” starring Penelope Cruz. The wall of book cases is unique consisting of vertical shelves which appear to mimic a city skyline.

Although Robin (29) hadn’t seen the film he was able to produce a design based on the client’s description of the bookcases due to his design background.

Robin set-up his business, called Robin J Horn Designs and Construction, earlier this year after working for many years as a woodworker, designing and making beautifully crafted and original furniture. This included a spell making furniture out of deer antlers such as chandeliers and benches, many of which were exported to châteauxs in France.

He also worked for 56 North at the Albion Road Studios, in Edinburgh where there is a strong community of artists including glass blowers, textile designers and wood workers.

Robin, who has a Diploma in Spacial Design Interior Architecture, also does garden design, landscaping and property restoration and renovation. He is also about to begin constructing a completely unique garden bench made out of cob, a building material consisting of mixture of clay and straw which was used in prehistoric times.

However, when Robin tried to raise funds to set-up his business he could not find a bank to help him as many have reduced lending to small firms due to the economic downturn. He turned to the not-for-profit business lender DSL who gave him £3,000 to buy tools and a car, which he uses as his mobile office!

Glasgow-based DSL runs a £1.5 million loan fund to help small and start-up businesses create jobs and investment, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Under the Government scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, DSL can provide micro-finance of up to £30,000 to small firms even if they have been turned down by the banks.

Robin said: “People are becoming far more aware of good design. With the re-emergence of crafts and increasingly personalised products there has definitely been a move away from mass production.  The clients I work for are happy to pay a bit more to have something unique, well made and designed specifically with their tastes in mind.

“I like to think of myself as an artist, primarily, and love to take on interesting projects such as the skyline shelves inspired by the Penelope Cruz movie.

“I needed to raise some working capital along with buying a car and essential tools. I work from home and on site, renting space and machines used at my old workshop, as and when necessary, to keep overheads to a minimum. When I approached DSL they were fantastic. They helped me with my business plan and made sure everything was in place before I applied for my loan.

“When I went up in front of the panel for assessment I was expecting the usual two or three people but it turned out to be five smiling faces around the table. They were very quick to put me at ease though and it felt more like an audience than an interview. They were very encouraging and receptive to my business proposal. The whole experience with the people working at DSL was very refreshing.

Eunice Lancaster, General Manager of Glasgow-Based DSL Business Finance said: “Robin has show that small, high-end niche businesses who know what their customers want can do well despite the economic down turn.

“Artists and designers can often find it hard to raise business finance as some banks don’t understand their market or their business is considered high risk.

“DSL was set-up to help small business to start-up and grow and create jobs and investment in disadvantaged areas. Many of businesses who have approached us for help have been turned down for business finance by their banks. 82 per cent of clients perceive DSL to be the only source of funding available to them.

“Unlike the banks we are not driven by profit”, added Eunice, “So we can be completely focused on supporting the small businesses who come to us for assistance.

“We have no shareholders or big bonuses to pay to staff. Any profit we do make is pumped into providing more loans for small firms. I like to think that we have a more ethical and prudent approach to lending. We still operate to high financial standards and have a rigorous loan application process, but we also try to get to know the person and their business needs. Clients appear before a “dragons den” style panel of experts to get their loan application approved but they also get guidance on business planning and accounts.”

Since setting up in 1983 DSL has helped more than 600 businesses create 2,000 jobs by providing more than £7 million in loans.

If you think DSL could help your business please contact them on Tel: 0141 425 2930 or go to www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk.

For further information on Robin J Horn Designs and Construction, contact robinjhorn@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 07735 418866

Note to editors: DSL Business Finance (formerly known as Developing Strathclyde Ltd) based in Govan, Glasgow, is a Community Development Finance Initiative and a subsidiary of Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), the largest development agency working in the social economy in Scotland. DSL now runs a £1.5 million loan fund for small and start-up businesses, social enterprise and charities. A 2008 evaluation found that 82% of DSL clients believed DSL to be their only available source of business finance.

We are pleased to announce the new Scottish Government funded programmes providing support to social entrepreneurs and Enterprising Third Sector Organisations across Scotland – Just Enterprise and the Enterprise Growth Fund.Just Enterprise business support is available for social entrepreneurs and Enterprising Third Sector Organisations. A range of support from a telephone advisory service, one to one development support, business consultancy and range of workshops, learning programmes and leadership courses are available.

Just Enterprise will deliver business support and learning services across Scotland and will integrate for the first time, start up, business support and learning and development services. Successful applicants to the programme will receive a range of support  including client management advisory services, feasibility studies, business planning, marketing, financial management and developing the sustainability of an Enterprising Third Sector.

Just Enterprise works in association with the Enterprise Growth Fund. The Enterprise Growth Fund is a £4m Fund to support Enterprising Third Sector Organisations based in Scotland. Grants between £25,000 and £200,000 will be awarded to support the business development plans of those organisations that demonstrate the greatest potential for growth and sustainability.

For further information on Just Enterprise and the Enterprise Growth Fund and to apply for support, the website will be open for applications from Tuesday 19th July, go to www.justenterprise.org.uk.

A radical new £1.1 million social business, which is creating jobs for people with autism, has transformed the lives of its first ten recruits and won its first contract to provide software testing services to the IT sector.Not-for-profit Specialisterne, was the first in the UK to be launched last August by Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), the leading social enterprise support agency which assists communities and people in disadvantaged areas to realise their potential, and John Swinney, MSP, the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary.

More than 100 people with autism applied to join Specialisterne, based in Glasgow, last year. Ten people have now completed an intensive six-month training programme to become accredited software test engineers and full-time employees. Many of them have previously lost their jobs due to their autism

Specialisterne has now won its first contract with the Glasgow Third Sector Forum. It will create a web portal to coordinate the activities of all the third sector and voluntary organisations in the city.

Specialisterne Scotland hopes to employ 50 people with autism by 2015 and have a turnover of £1.6 million. Recruitment for the next phase of trainees will begin soon.

It is the first of its kind to be modelled on Specialisterne Denmark. Thorkil Sonne set-up the Danish business in 2004, after his son was diagnosed with autism. It now provides highly skilled software testing services to leading blue chip companies using the characteristics and skills which some people with autism excel in i.e. insight, precision and repetition.

The Danish firm, also a social enterprise, employs more than 50 people and has a turnover of around £1.5 million. Mr Sonne hopes to create up to one million jobs for people with autism through his charity the Specialist People Foundation, by replicating the successful model worldwide. Since opening in Scotland, Specialisterne has also started-up in Iceland, Poland and Berlin.

Specialisterne Scotland, based in Nelson Mandela Place, believes it has created a bespoke training model for people with autism which it hopes will be rolled out across other branches of Specialisterne around the world.

Not only does the model cover software testing training, it provides help and support in areas of employment which people with autism can find challenging such as interpersonal skills, planning and anxiety management.

Gerry Higgins, Chief Executive of CEiS said: “Specialisterne Scotland is open for business and we are keen to talk to any firms who need software testing engineers, across a range of sectors including IT and financial services. We have the right people with the rights skills, who excel in software testing. “

David Farrell-Shaw, Manager of Specialisterne Scotland, whose son also has autism added: “Developing and implementing the training programme has been an incredible journey for all of us.

The Sopra Group, a leading industry company, helped deliver the IT training for us but equally important was providing support with softer skills.

“At the beginning, we had a group of people who knew they were clever and had the skills but didn’t think they’d be able to get through the programme and work full time. Some of them had really bad experiences of employment in the past. Now the former trainees are working together as a team, generating new ideas, supporting one another and delivering excellent software testing services for their clients.

“Only 13 per cent of adults with autism are in full-time employment despite having specialist skills which offer businesses, such as information technology, telecommunications and financial services, a competitive advantage.

“People with autism can be extremely intelligent but society as a whole doesn’t recognise this. Some employers find it difficult to make the small adjustments people need to allow then to flourish in the workplace. At Specialisterne we incorporate a supportive, safe environment into daily working life. For example, if someone needs time out we don’t mind if they go for a walk around the block to clear their head. Or if they like to sit in a particular position or need a quiet area, it’s not a problem. “The training model developed here in Scotland could be applied to other countries as it is very focused on the specific needs of people with autism.

“We are currently in discussion with a number of IT firms about providing them with software testing services and hope to announce additional contracts soon. Firms such as HP and Microsoft have already been very supportive by giving us IT equipment and software packages.

“If a business appoints Specialisterne to do software testing it will not only meet its corporate social responsibilities but also get something of substance back – a high quality service that they actually need and that we can deliver competitively.”

Two of the new employees Julie Langdale (34) from Irvine, who was only diagnosed with autism two years ago and Glaswegian Andy Wallis (47), have found working for Specialisterne to be a life changing experience.

Both of them lost their jobs after they were diagnosed with autism in adulthood.

Julie, who struggled with employment for years until she was diagnosed with autism, said: “When I started at Specialisterne I was at my lowest ebb. I had just lost my job not long after revealing I was on the spectrum. Issues I faced at work could have been easily managed with reasonable adjustments. I have sensory problems and find social interaction difficult, but I could still do the job perfectly well. My performance soon started to suffer, as the stress of adjusting to the fact that I was autistic and the pressure of not having my needs met took its toll.  The issues I had that were easily addressed outside the workplace were liabilities within it. I went out of my way to educate them, but at the end of the day it just wasn’t enough.”

”I was referred to Specialisterne by the National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland).  I feel like a completely different person – confident, calm – happy.”

Julie has now become an advocate for people with autism. She recently stood on the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square and spoke about standing up for autism*, something she never dreamed she would have the confidence to do a few years ago.

Andy, who has a PHD in Distributed Artificial Intelligence, lost his job as a university lecturer after he told his employers he had Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, following a diagnosis in 2004.

He said: ”Everything was fine until I asked my employer to make small adjustments to accommodate my autism. They didn’t do this and refused to believe the medical evidence. In the end I found it so stressful that I had a nervous breakdown. I became agoraphobic and wouldn’t leave the house or talk to anyone. I was convinced I’d never work again. On reflection most of the jobs I’ve done ended badly but at the time I didn’t know I had Asperger’s.

“Then I heard about Specialisterne and I knew this might be my only chance of getting back to work. I went through the application process and have never looked back. I have re-discovered abilities I no longer thought I had. I now know that I can be successful without the stress of trying to pretend I don’t have difficulties or be someone else.”
In fact Andy has been so successful that he has developed an idea for a new website called “Invisible Ramps”, which has been selected out of nearly 100 who applied, to be part of the Social Innovation Camp*.

The website will allow people with psychological or cognitive disabilities to develop and promote small changes they would like to see in their built environment in the same way as ramps make it easier for people with wheel chairs to access buildings.

For more information about Specialisterne Scotland go to www.specialisternescotland.org.

Related press articles

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/contract-boost-at-firm-with-staff-who-have-autism-1.1111364

www.business7.co.uk/business-news/scottish-business-news/2011/07/11/specialsterne-wins-first-contract-106408-23264005/