Ready to RISE

Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for Social Enterprise) is a programme that aims to help women across Scotland learn about social enterprise and discover their potential to use entrepreneurship to make a living, work flexibly and positively impact their communities.  

Building on the success of our pilot of Ready to RISE in 2023/24, Firstport, together with the Challenges Group, are delighted to announce a new Ready to RISE programme will support pre-start up women entrepreneurs in Scotland in early 2025.

With funding from the Scottish Government’s Pathways fund, Ready to RISE will again work with women to increase their knowledge, confidence and networks, identify their existing skills and ideal work/life blend, generate business ideas with a social or environmental impact, and access practical and financial support to turn those ideas into businesses.  

We will be announcing a series of in-person and online events in the coming weeks. To receive updates, please sign up to the Firstport newsletter or register interest in the programme by completing this short form.

Is Ready to RISE for me?  

Ready to RISE is for you if you want to return to work after a career break or want a career change to design your ideal workplace – one that allows you to make a living, work flexibly and use your skills for good.  

You may have not considered starting a social enterprise – or any business – before, and that’s OK. You do not need a business idea to participate in Ready to RISE. Whatever your background or experience, you will already have skills that could help you start and run a business.  

 As long as you are open to learning about social entrepreneurship and how it could help you design your ideal workplace, we will help you work out the rest.  

How does it work?  

The programme of support will run in early 2025 (dates tbc), with access to:  

• Sessions covering areas such as confidence building, business ideas generation, auditing your skills, and more 
• A peer group of supportive women  
• One-to-one support from a specialist start-up Business Advisor or a Women’s Employability and Flexible Working Specialist  

By the end of the programme, you will be better equipped to decide what is right for you based on your goals and circumstances. If it is starting a social enterprise, we will connect you with the support you need to progress your idea.  

If pursuing an idea is not your best outcome, we will signpost you to other volunteering, employment, or further education opportunities.  

I’m curious: what do I do next?  

You can register interest to join the next Ready to Rise programme by completing this form.

You can also watch the recordings of last year’s Social Entrepreneur Panel and Q&A sessions below.

If after reading the information on this page you still have questions, please email womenreturners@thechallengesgroup.com

In the meantime, get inspired by other women already using social entrepreneurship to create flexible and fulfilling jobs that meet their needs by reading our case studies.