At the prestigious Founders Conference hosted by The Hunter Foundation at Gleneagles, our founder, Fiona McKenzie OBE, delivered a speech that sparked conversations. Surrounded by innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, Fiona brought a fresh perspective to the table—one that ties Scotland’s economic growth to its social wellbeing.

The Challenge We Face:

·       Nearly 1 in 4 children in Scotland grow up in poverty.

·       23% of working-age Scots are economically inactive, often due to mental health challenges

·       Billions have been spent addressing poverty and educational attainment gaps, yet the results remain disheartening

These statistics don’t just represent numbers. They reflect untapped potential, lives held back, and futures compromised. This presents the question: What if we stopped seeing economic growth as something separate from social progress?

CentreStage and the 13 other social enterprises and charities in the Changemakers network are proving that there’s a more effective way.

The collective mission is not just about pulling people out of crisis, but about preventing them from falling in the first place. 

At CentreStage alone:

• 50% of our turnover is generated from self-sustaining income.
• Every week, we support over 2,500 individuals aged from birth through 106 years, helping them live purposeful, connected lives less dependent on public services

A Call to Action for Scotland’s Business Leaders

To the entrepreneurs and leaders in the room, Fiona posed a challenge:

“What if we applied your entrepreneurial spirit to our communities? What if we invested not just in profits, but in people?”

The Changemakers are showing what’s possible.

This initiative from the Hunter Foundation is amplifying the voices of Scotland’s social enterprises. These organisations—problem-solvers, poverty-reducers, community-builders, and opportunity-creators—are united by one trait: they are relentless.

Together, this network is demonstrating that a new model of social change is possible. One that costs less, delivers better outcomes, and builds stronger futures. But, we cannot do this alone.

How You Can Help

No one sector can solve these challenges. It takes collaboration between the public, private, and third sectors to create real change.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Invest in Communities: Consider supporting social enterprises through funding, partnerships, donations, or resources.
2. Advocate for Change: Use your platform to amplify the work of Changemakers in your community.
3. Join the Movement: Whether as a partner, volunteer, or supporter, there’s a role for everyone in creating a fairer Scotland.

Scotland has the talent, drive, and potential to become a global leader in socially conscious economic growth. But as Fiona emphasised: “Someone else isn’t going to come along and do it. It’s up to us.”