Social Enterprise at Dumfries High School

S3 Business pupils from Dumfries High School have recently started working in partnership with Social Enterprise Academy. This new aspect of the course will allow pupils to explore the concept of social enterprise in society; learn about various businesses operating as social enterprises both locally and nationally; and actually set up and run their own small-scale social enterprises in school. As part of the launch of this programme, pupils were visited by Jay from Social Enterprise Academy, which is a government-funded organisation, who introduced them to the idea of operating a business to earn profit which can then be used for social good and to make a difference within the community.

The second part of the introduction to this project was a visit to The Usual Place, which is a fantastic, growing social enterprise in Dumfries town centre. This beautiful café, situated within an old church building, offers training and employment opportunities for young people with additional support needs. The students had the opportunity to enjoy a cuppa and cake at the café, followed by a tour and talk about the work they do and the impact they are having on the local community. One group even managed to squeeze in a ‘Gay Gordons’ when their visit coincided with a tea dance – another example of how the business is supporting the older generations in and around Dumfries to become more social and less isolated/lonely.

These visits prompted pupils to think about business in a difference way and will hopefully provide inspiration for the business planning stage of their own social enterprises at Dumfries High School.

Miss Hamblin