Welcome to our final newsletter of the year, we would like to use this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who have worked with us over the past year including partner organisations, fellow social enterprises, all the charities and community groups we have worked with………. our tenants, our digital skills learners, all the budding entrepreneurs and local businesses we have worked with……..phew…..and last but by no means least to our funders including, the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council, the Big Lottery, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the Heritage Lottery. It has been a pleasure, and thanks again for helping to make this one of our best years yet, we can’t wait to see what next year brings! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.
Christmas comes early for Cre8te winning Best Social Impact Award 2015
At the Social Enterprise Scotland awards ceremony held at the Scottish Parliament last month, Cre8te were delighted to win the Best Social Impact Award 2015.
Scotland’s annual awards for innovation and success in social enterprise, showcase how social enterprises are improving Scotland’s economy and society, and the entire team here at Cre8te were delighted to be recognised for the work we do.
Over the 25 years we’ve been in existence, our aims have always been to build strong, sustainable communities in regeneration areas by helping residents and businesses to maximise their potential and contribute to their local economy.
Cre8te has built up trust in the local community particularly with under-represented groups and provides advice, support and training which is delivered in a sympathetic way that is seen to be not part of the “system”. Our location is a place that our target clients are familiar with, and is also seen locally as integral to other local regeneration programmes.
We are well networked into a wide range of other local services working in tandem with our clients, helping to remove barriers such as childcare, addictions, mental health, and benefits advice.
Based in the Craigmillar area in the East of Edinburgh, we have specialised in nurturing enterprise in a very difficult neighbourhood – where worklessness is endemic and there is intense social and economic deprivation. We have also focussed our attention on under-represented groups, including support for long term unemployed, individuals with mental health issues and addictions, females and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) entrepreneurs, it’s fantastic to be recognised for the difference we make.
John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minster, The Scottish Government, said:
“Social enterprises make a huge impact right across Scotland – tackling social problems and strengthening communities. They help create employment and skills opportunities, improve public services and support some of our hardest to reach individuals. I am very happy, therefore, to celebrate the success of this year’s Social Enterprise Scotland award winners and to congratulate them on their substantial achievements.”
Castlebrae Business Centre Restoration and Upgrade
Now a year down the line the major refurbishment of the place we call home has made great progress. We now have disabled access to the first floor via our newly installed lift, windows which will actually protect us from the elements (unlike the old ones), and a car park that will be smooth and pot hole free by the end of the week (see the images below). The former Niddrie Marischal School and grade 2 listed art deco style building is well on course to be brought back to its former glory. 
By the end of January next year we will have over 30 fit for purpose business units and workshops for lease. This will enable us to further our work and ambitions around stimulating business growth and economic activity in the local area, and we look forward to the benefit that this will bring to the community in terms of job creation and employment.
Enquiries to 0131 661 8888 or info@cre8te.co.uk
Wait a minute…..not one but two awards!
In the same week as we bagged the Social Enterprise Scotland Best Impact Award we also won ‘Partnership of the Year’ award from the TOIL Project run by Port of Leith Housing Association. Working in partnership is a key feature of what we do here at Cre8te, and the fact that our Digital Skills Academy has won this award is testament to that. Funded by the Scottish Government our Digital Skills for All project has featured joined up support for the tenants of 8 housing associations in Edinburgh. The project has been a great success so far with people attending either 1-1 sessions or group sessions like the one pictured at Castle Rock Edinvar’s new housing complex at Fortune Place.
At the sessions people have been learning about using laptops and tablets to get on-line for everything from Facebook to on-line shopping, and it has also provided fun social opportunities too. Two Port of Leith tenants told us it’s the highlight of their week.
Our Use IT programme also continues with 1500 people having attended over the past 3 years.
Thanks to our dedicated staff team and the support of our referral partners from WEACT, C
ommunity Renewal and the Job Centre amongst others, we are delivering essential skills to those who need it most.
Over the past year our Business Incubator project has again been busy working closely with budding entrepreneurs in our local community. The work of the Business Incubator has resulted in 36 new business start-ups, as well as the creation of 72 new local jobs which in turn will lead to over £1.5 million of direct economic activity in the area, contributing to the overall regeneration.
Spotlight
Get acquainted with some of the newest additions to the local business community. Where possible we would encourage people to buy locally. Buying local helps to create and safeguard jobs. Businesses in our local community create employment and self-employment, and when local businesses succeed so does the local community.
Based just across the road from Cre8te in Unit 1, 55 Peffer Place EDIWOOD are specialist cabinet makers and skilled joiners who produce bespoke furniture pieces and are well placed to undertake any joinery projects no matter how complex or simple.
They offer a tailored and comprehensive design-and-make service, and are uncompromising in every aspect of their craft from the design and selection of materials, to the making and finishing process, and the first class customer service they provide.
Don’t take our word for it though, have a look at what their customers are saying about them, and take a browse through their impressive before and after images of completed projects at www.ediwood.co.uk
EDIWOOD specialise in hand made furniture, kitchens and wardrobes, stand-alone bespoke pieces, fitted cabinets, fitting and refinishing of solid wood kitchen worktops. They produce furniture for private homes, contract spaces, bars and restaurants, and can supply a range of wood finishes including lacquers, oils and stains as well as both brush and spray paint finishes. 
Tel: 0131 281 815
New Year, New You? Ever wanted to turn your hobby into a business?, dreamt of being your own boss?, always wanted to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit? Cre8te can support you to get your business idea up and running. Make it your new years resolution to contact us, and take the first step to becoming your own boss! Our free business support and start-up service is available and open to all no matter what your situation or background.
From Gas Fitters to Artists, Hairdressers to Website Designers, Cre8te’s Business Incubator Project continues to go from strength to strength and has been instrumental in helping local people realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.
In the past year 90% of our start-ups have went from unemployment (predominately long term unemployment) to creating their own employment and running their own business. A whopping 50% of our start-ups in the last year have been female entrepreneurs, many of whom have childcare responsibilities and now work as self-employed from home.
At Cre8te we work on the ethos that the opportunity to succeed is within everyone’s reach, it’s not about what people can’t do, it’s about what they can do!
Contact us today and find out if you’ve got what it takes to become self-employed and run your own business.
Tel: 0131 661 8888 Email: info@cre8te.co.uk
