RBS supported social entrepreneurs to access finance through the independent charity, RBS Social & Community Capital (S&CC). The S&CC lends to community-based organisations that traditionally struggle to access finance through mainstream channels. RBS S&CC has approved lending of over £5m since 2012 to community lenders and social enterprises, helping them to increase community impact.
One organisation to benefit has been Clydesdale Community Initiatives Scotland (CCI Scotland). CCI Scotland promotes social inclusion through creating work opportunities in landscape construction for individuals with a range of support needs. Thanks to a loan from S&CC, it has been able to develop and grow its operations, including funding the creation of a new bespoke facility.
Niall McShannon, Managing Director at CCI Scotland, said:
"We were very fortunate that we were able to access significant funding and with the assistance of RBS. We’ve now been able to create a world-class enterprise and inclusion facility.”