Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for the Social Economy) 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 are running series of in-person and online events, scroll down for details on dates and locations. 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 February and March 2025 (dates tbc), with access to:
- Sessions covering 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?
Attend one of our Information Roadshows to learn more about social enterprise, Ready to Rise and hear from local women who are using entrepreneurship to make a living and make a difference in their communities.
Perth: Monday 13 January, 10am-12pm. Book your place here.
Fife: Wednesday 15 January, 10am-12pm. Book your place here.
Stirling: Monday 20 January, 10am-12pm. Book your place here.
Dunbar: Tuesday 21 January, 10am-12pm. Book your place here.
If you can’t make an in-person event, we’ll also be hosting two online sessions:
Social Entrepreneur Panel Event: Friday 17 January, 10am-11.30am. Sign up to attend here.
Information Session & Q&A: Wednesday 22 January, 10am-11.15am. Sign up to attend here.
In the meantime, 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
Get inspired by other women already using social entrepreneurship to create flexible and fulfilling jobs that meet their needs by reading our case studies.