BusinessLab and Aberdeen Foyer

Third sector entrepreneurship combined with BusinessLab innovation

BusinessLab have been working closely with The Aberdeen Foyer to develop a common ‘picture’ of the capacity of Aberdeen's Torry community which can be shared by Community Planning Partners to inform the ongoing regeneration of the neighbourhood. In this they have been using BusinessLab's innovative 'Community Signature'.

The Foyer, one of Aberdeen's leading third sector organisations, are leading the project, working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and other Community Planning Partners including Grampian Police and Jobcentre Plus. Local companies are also supporting the project as part of their CSR work in Aberdeen.

The first wave of Signatures have been completed with more planned for the end of 2009.  A wide range of community groups have been involved and have shared their perspectives on their community. BusinessLab and the Foyer are now working with the partners and the community to develop a coordinated progarmme of actions - some led by public sector agencies and some led by community groups themselves -  to address challenges and capitalise on opportunities to build the capacity of the Torry community.

Working with Families

Following the success of the partnership working around the Community Signature, BusinessLab are delighted that the Foyer have also decided to use the Family Learning Signature to support their early intervention work with families in Aberdeen City and Shire.

This project is part of the Foyer’s innovative approach to working with young people and their families across Aberdeen City and Shire as part of their wider early intervention strategy.  The Family Learning Signature has proven to be an extremely valuable tool in engaging hard to reach and vulnerable families in England and BusinessLab are looking forward to working with the Foyer to deliver real benefits locally.

For more information on this project please contact hmilne@businesslab.co.uk