Virtual Audience Inspired by COPE

College students across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership recently had an opportunity to learn about the local social enterprise COPE Ltd, which provides employment and skills development for adults with disabilities. Company CEO, Ingrid Webb, visited Shetland College UHI to deliver a presentation through video conference to approximately forty students.

Bridge 2 Business, part of Young Enterprise Scotland, is an interactive programme which aims to inspire, connect and support college students into business. The Highlands and Islands hub is based at CREATE, Inverness College UHI, who for the second year have run a virtual conference aimed to inspire students from all colleges within the UHI partnership to ‘Get Inspired’ and give them a first-hand opportunity to engage with our region’s entrepreneurial role models.

Scotland is a global leader in social enterprises - organisations which operate within a business model and aim to change something in the world to make it a better place. COPE specialises in supporting adults with disabilities but social enterprises can work with any social issue with the clear aim to improve people’s lives. Profits from the organisation must be invested back into the business – a model which has helped COPE expand and flourish over the years.

Ingrid explained the history of the organisation, going back to 1998; incorporating their diverse suite of enterprises. Each has its own challenges – whether it’s the strict legislation required for cosmetic production at Shetland Soap Company, or providing hardy plants at Shetland Garden Company which can thrive in the blustery weather! COPE aims for their employees to feel valued and appreciated – something which came across loud and clear throughout the presentation.

When the session was opened out for questions, some students attending virtually from Inverness College UHI were keen to ask Ingrid more about her motivation for working within a social enterprise; as well as how COPE competes with larger organisations and markets itself throughout Shetland. When the session was brought to a close Sam Eccles, from CREATE in Inverness College UHI, was very enthusiastic about Ingrid’s presentation, praising the extremely positive message ofhearing about a successful business with such worthy social aims. She noted that ‘Shetland sounds like a small island punching well above its weight!’

Ingrid said she ‘thoroughly enjoyed spending some time talking to the students, albeit in a virtual way! What a great way to connect people across the region! Social Enterprise is a passion of mine and I was pleased to be able to speak to young people about its structure and benefits. Scotland is a country with great ambition and this is especially prevalent in the Highlands and Islands. I truly believe that all businesses should embrace their social responsibilities and can contribute in a positive way to the community in which it trades.

I hope in some way I was able to highlight the benefits of social enterprise and show that although we are somewhat geographically isolated in the Highlands and Islands that does not need to restrict us. Be passionate, be brave and give something back to this great community we all live in.’