Aberdeen Social Enterprises
Aberdeen Social Enterprises is a group of enterprises in Aberdeen which is part of Turning Point Scotland. We provide vocational training, work experience and real work opportunities for our service users who are disadvantaged in the labour market whilst providing high quality services to the general public.
There are four distinct enterprises:
Opus Crafts - offer hand made greetings cards, beautiful bespoke wedding stationary or party invitations made to your specifications, individually designed cushion making service hand-made bags, children's smocks and many more high quality products.
Opus Framing - a fully functioning picture framing workshop that offer the public a first class framing service for all types of art work including paintings, autographed sports shirts, certificates, family portraits, tapestries and needle work. The general public can access this service via our shop Opus Gifts located in 45-49 Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm and Thursday 8.30am - 6pm.
Opus Gift Shop - sells high quality gifts, crafts and original art work from a range of local and international artists. We also stock our own range of hand made items from our craft workshop. Opus Crafts is located in the city centre at 45-49 Holburn Street, Aberdeen. We are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm and Thursday 8.30am - 6pm.
Rosies Café - trading for over six years as a community café at 137 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen. Rosies offers high quality, good value food whilst providing vocational training and work experience for our service users. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am - 3.30pm, Rosies Cafes' laid back atmosphere means it's the ideal setting for meeting friends for morning coffee, lunch or a relaxing afternoon tea.
Each of our social enterprises functions as a small business. Our service users participate in regular business meetings held within each enterprise. Service user participation is essential to the manner in which these businesses are run. With the general pubic and local business purchasing our services, every penny spent within our social enterprises helps us to promote social inclusion and achieve our vision and mission.
'to promote the independence of individuals who are disadvantaged in the labour market through the provision of training, work experience and employment.'
'to reduce the enterprise dependancy on funding by generating our own income by producing and selling high quality, good value products to the general public through our commercial outlets.'
The enterprises provide:
- A supported working environment.
- Real work skills.
- A business orientated approach.
- Encouragement to increase independence and social inclusion through work.
- A customer focus.
- Experienced and qualified workplace co-ordinators.
We also provide a Employment Development Worker who supports service users with:
- Initial assessments.
- Support with work related issues and mental health well being.
- Regular service user reviews to assess; needs, skills, confidence and achievements.
- Goal setting.
- Guidance to source other training opportunities, work experience and open employment.
We also work collaboratively with Jobcentre Plus, Shaw Trust and Working Links who assist service users with:
- Completing job application forms and contacting potential employers.
- A range of courses which enables workers to make the transition into open employment.
- Job start grants.
- Ongoing support for the individual and employer once in open employment.
Aberdeen Social Enterprises works with Social Firms Scotland and Enterprise North East Trust to develop our businesses.
Aberdeen Social Enterprises can offer placements for about 60 people who attend on a part time basis, and most receive a payment under Permitted Work Regulations. This does not affect workers benefits.
Aberdeen Social Enterprises is funded by a combination of grants which include:
Resource Transfer and Mental Health Specific Grant paid through Aberdeen City Council, Big Lottery Fund as well as our own business income.
Communities Scotland in partnership with Langstane Housing to refurbish the Opus of Aberdeen shop.
Aberdeen Social Enterprises accept referrals from:
The Employment Support Team (operated by Momentum) in Aberdeen City
Job Centre Plus (Disability Employment Advisers)
New Deal 25+ programme
Aberdeenshire Social Work Employment Workers
Self-referral
For further information please contact:
Opus Crafts 01224 577323 email opuscrafts@aberdeensocialenterprises.co.uk
Opus Framing 01224 577325 email opusframing@aberdeensocialenterprises.co.uk
Opus Gift Shop 01224 577326 email opusgifts@aberdeensocialenterprises.co.uk
Rosies Café 01224 626214 email rosies@aberdeensocialenterprises.co.uk
