Third Round of Funding for Lanark Social Enterprise
Clydesdale Community Initiatives (CCI), a Lanark-based social enterprise supporting people with complex additional needs, has received a third round of funding from UKSE, a subsidiary of Tata Steel. The £2,500 grant from UKSE’s Community Grant Fund will support the continued development of CCI’s monitoring and evaluation database, a vital tool that tracks participant progress and shapes personalised development plans.
Supporting Vulnerable Individuals
Based at Langloch Farm, CCI works with individuals across Lanarkshire facing barriers to employment and inclusion, including those living with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and young people disengaged from mainstream education. Through a pioneering social enterprise model, CCI provides opportunities to contribute to the community via landscaping, horticulture, woodcraft, and microbusiness initiatives. The organisation currently supports around 140 people each week, each following a tailored plan based on their interests, goals, and support needs.
The database, funded by UKSE, plays a key role in tracking these journeys and measuring outcomes across the organisation.
Quotes from Leadership
Niall McShannon, managing director at CCI, said: “Everything we do is about supporting people to make a meaningful contribution to their community. We don’t focus on labels or limitations; we focus on what people are interested in, what they want to achieve, and how they can be part of a team. This funding allows us to better understand and demonstrate the impact of that work. It helps us track progress for each individual and ensure we’re continuing to provide opportunities that build confidence, skills and a sense of purpose.”
Rising Demand and Impact
In recent years, CCI has seen a significant rise in demand, with more referrals of individuals experiencing complex mental health challenges and social isolation. The enhanced database will enable the team to respond more effectively to this growing need, ensuring everyone receives tailored support while also helping the organisation evaluate and improve its services.
Niall added: “What people benefit from most is the feeling that they’ve done something valuable for someone else. Being part of a team, contributing to real work, and seeing the results of that effort builds confidence and connection in a way that traditional approaches often don’t.”
Continued Partnership with UKSE
CCI has received previous support from UKSE in 2019 and 2023, and the continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, community impact, and creating meaningful opportunities. Scott Webb, regional manager at UKSE, said: “Clydesdale Community Initiatives is doing important work to support people who face significant barriers to employment and inclusion, and we’re pleased to provide this third round of funding. Their approach is innovative, practical and rooted in the community, helping individuals build confidence, develop skills and play an active role in their local area. This is exactly the kind of initiative our Community Grant Fund is designed to support.”
