International Women's Day

The Community Enterprise team has considerable expertise and knowledge of the Third Sector. The team is also predominantly female, so in honour of International Women’s Day 2023, we wanted to introduce our readers to some of the Community Enterprise team and look at why they love their jobs so much:  

Victoria Pearce, Development and Impact Manager

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

Because they deliver so much more than just profit. I can't get fired up by making money alone. The other benefits community owned businesses bring are much more valuable to me.

Favourite part of my job?

Working with an amazing variety of social enterprises and community groups all over Scotland doing all kinds of weird and wonderful -but always good things- from eco-burials to bowling clubs. It feels good to be a part of their journey and to be useful. I'm lucky to work with an awesome team of people too.

Lynda Johnstone, Development Officer

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

Working with a range of organisations and communities to gather ideas, work together in an innovative way to make a positive difference and changes to the people that matter.

What's your favourite part of the job?

Supporting a diverse range of organisations and groups, assisting them to overcome challenges, work together and succeed in their mission!

Margot Love, Development Officer

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

I end my work day every day feeling that I've done something good for someone. There is a real, tangible positive impact in this sector.

What's your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the role is seeing the excitement on someone's face when they realise that we can provide the support they've been desperately searching for.

Jane Mackinnon, Digital Lead

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

We need a radical social and environmental response to the challenges of our society and the harm we're doing to the planet. Community groups and social enterprises are at the forefront of this - a space where people are being the change they want to see.

What's your favourite part of the job?

Putting community groups across Scotland in touch with each other, sharing their knowledge and inspiration, and seeing their ideas go from dream to reality.
 
 
 
Why is working with social enterprises important to you?
 

I find working with social enterprises, community groups, and charities is incredibly rewarding. The type of work that we do here at Community Enterprise means that I can end most days feeling like I’ve supported local people make positive change in their community.  I appreciate that not many jobs let you say that!

What's your favourite part of the job?

Getting to meet such a wide range of people doing really amazing things all across Scotland is one of my favourite things about my job. It’s really inspiring to see the passion and creativity of people involved in the social enterprise sector – it definitely helps to keep me motivated myself!

Sarah Cameron, Programme Development Manager

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

I stumbled into the wonderful world of social enterprise 17 years ago and found a sector I could believe in. Filled with incredible and inspiring people, I’m proud to be part of a movement that is about making the world a better place for everyone. 

What's your favourite part of the job?

Well what’s not to love about working in the Community Enterprise team! I’m fairly new to this role and I think the best bit is the freedom I have to develop new ideas and partnerships while working with our amazing staff team.

Kate Sarti, Development Officer

Why is working with social enterprises important to you?

Working with social enterprises is a great opportunity to be a part of making a positive difference to communities and people’s lives. Working in the sector means I get to connect and work with passionate, creative and inspiring people who are motivated to make the world a better place. 
 
What's your favourite part of the job?

Working with groups and organisations over several years, building relationships and watching them grow and develop over time. It’s a real privilege to be a part of that journey. 

Kim McAllister, Communications Lead

What's your favourite part of the job?

Each of us has the ability to make a positive change; social enterprises make positive changes in their communities every day, and to be a small part of that through my work makes me feel very proud of the work we do at Community Enterprise.
 
71% of Social Enterprises in Scotland have women leaders, who bring passion and determination to their roles. They not only help the beneficiaries of their organisations but they inspire more women to go for leadership roles.

The World Economic Forum writes:
Women social entrepreneurs have, time and time again, made a deep impact in their work through a form of impact called “scaling deep” - overhauling unfair and unjust systems, sparking collaborative social movements, and reshaping dominant expectations, norms, and stigmas. We are proud to support women social entrepreneurs through our work and help them to 'spark' the change that is needed within our society.