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Allia C&C – Providing support to drive social and economic change

ALLIA C&C – PROVIDING SUPPORT TO DRIVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE

Empowering social enterprises across Scotland

Allia C&C, a leading financial services firm focused on charities and mission-driven businesses, is delighted to announce it has made grants totalling £150,000 to support high impact projects across the country. 

This is the first stage in a programme of grants which it expects to make across Scotland. The grant programme demonstrates Allia’s commitment to social impact as an integral part of managing the Scottish Government’s Charitable Bond Programme.

The seven organisations receiving a share of the £150,000 are leaders in Scotland’s social enterprise sector and supporting Scottish Government’s goals of working towards eradicating child poverty, preventing homelessness, growing the economy, tackling climate change and improving public services.  Their well-researched plans needed a financial boost, and Allia’s grants are making the difference between ambition and reality:

  • Albyn Housing Society – Empowering households in the Scottish Highlands, whose living conditions suffered during the pressures and changes brought by the covid pandemic, to make a fresh start.
  • EPIC Think Learn – Providing free online support to parents of undiagnosed neurodivergent children in the Scottish Borders, so they can flourish despite 3 year waiting lists for assessments.
  • Govan Home Team – Creating a Bee Highway, through training and whole-community involvement, in one of the least biodiverse areas of Glasgow.
  • Govan Housing Association – Lowering the cost of living for Govan’s more vulnerable tenants; by getting the best from their new home insulation and restoring their home conditions.
  • Simon Community Scotland – Boosting the development of, and services in, the new city centre Connect Hub.  The Hub can now open more frequently to increase its support to women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in Glasgow.
  • The Tannahill Centre – Tackling food insecurity and child poverty in Ferguslie Park, Paisley.  The afterschool clubs, parents and older people have healthy meals during the expensive school holiday period, plus easy access to counselling. 
  • The Wheatley Foundation – Refurbishing and getting supplies for a third Glasgow Food Larder, in partnership with Good Food Scotland.  Larders make food more affordable, provide choice, reduce isolation, enable volunteering and reduce antisocial behaviour. 

 

The Charitable Bond Programme has already proven essential in funding Housing Associations across Scotland, facilitating the construction of much-needed affordable homes. Now, Allia C&C is extending this impact through this reinvestment initiative to support not-for-profit social enterprises and community projects that promote the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of Scottish communities. 

Peter Freer, Director, Debt Capital Markets and Head of Allia C&C’s Scottish Office, commented: “As a socially responsible financial organisation, we are committed to driving both financial success and tangible social progress. Our decision to provide grants from our own income underscores this commitment and reflects our dedication to making a real difference to communities across Scotland.”

In May 2024, Allia C&C sought grant proposals from housing associations and other charities, receiving a range of applications from across Scotland. By July 2024, £150,000 was allocated to seven projects that align with the company’s long-term vision of building resilient and equitable communities. The Tannahill Centre in Paisley, and the Simon Community in Glasgow, are just two of the seven organisations to benefit from the funding initiative. 

Paul Irwin, Tannahill Centre Manager commented, “We are incredibly grateful to Allia C&C for this vital funding. We were thrilled with our successful application and this funding will allow us to expand our services for seniors, offering meals and social activities. It has enabled us to grow our free counselling services for local residents, breaking down barriers that often prevent people in this area from accessing professional support.”

Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive of Simon Community Scotland, added: “We are incredibly proud that Allia C&C has recognised the vision and potential of our Connect Hub, which provides essential support to women experiencing homelessness in Glasgow. We are deeply appreciative of this generous contribution which will empower us to expand our reach and strengthen the connection between our Hub and crucial tenancy support services.”

Since opening its Scottish office in 2020, Allia C&C has demonstrated that it is a business with a strong allegiance to social impact.  With this exciting funding initiative, the company aims to make a real difference by getting great ideas off the ground, to bridge the gap between ambitious proposals and provision in real life. 

Commenting on the announcement Housing Minister, Paul McLennan said: “Since 2014, the Scottish Government has invested over £460 million in 38 Charitable Bonds to support Registered Social Landlords in Scotland to access the funding they need to deliver new affordable homes. This has helped to generate over £141 million in charitable donations to worthy causes throughout Scotland.

“I value the contribution Allia C&C have made in delivering the Charitable Bond Programme and I’m pleased that they have made a further round of donations worth £150,000 to seven important causes that are helping to build a fairer and more prosperous Scotland.”

ENDS

 

Notes:

  • Allia C&C Ltd is a leading responsible finance intermediary. It is controlled by UK charitable company Allia Limited, which has been a pioneer in social investment innovation since 1999. 
  • Allia C&C focusses on underserved parts of the market including not for profit entities, mutuals such as building societies and small to mid-sized companies. We offer a range of financial services from our offices in London, Cambridge and Glasgow.  Our expertise is in connecting investors with organisations making a positive social impact – whether as their core purpose, like charities and social enterprises, or as part of a strong commitment to being responsible businesses.
  • Profits remitted to our parent Allia are also re-invested in impact projects. 

 

For press and media enquiries, please contact:

Peter Freer

0141 442 0057

peter.freer@alliacc.com