Photographing the best of Scotland’s social enterprises

The Gallery On The Corner represents and supports artwork produced by artists who have a disability, mental health problem or those from a disadvantaged background. It provides a platform to exhibit and sell their work in the heart of Edinburgh’s gallery district. Edina is a creative apprentice, here shown in the studio provided by the gallery Photograph: Alastair Wight Clean Close Company provides employment for a dedicated cleaning team who carry out contracts and one-off cleans throughout Dundee. The company has contracts with many of the local housing associations, landlords and builders to provide services ranging from removal of grafitti or gardening work to full deep cleans Photograph: Alastair Wight Loch Arthur is a working community in south-west Scotland which includes men and women with learning disabilities. There are nine houses in which more than 70 people live, including about 28 people in supported tenancies. There is a farm, a large garden, a creamery, a bakery, a wood workshop, a weaving workshop and a thriving farm shop. Here we see one of the volunteers in the creamery Photograph: Alastair Wight A little girl is playing in Rise and Shine Creche while her mother is learning how to speak and read English. Her mother also volunteers when Dundee International Women’s Centre organise events and festivals Photograph: Alastair Wight The Calman Trust in Inverness provides training for young people at risk of homelessness with a range of help and support. Here we see one of the crafts makers who runs a training programme for young people in a design company that operates as a social enterprise. She is standing next to an industrial embroidery machine Photograph: Alastair Wight Factory Skatepark in Dundee is a social enterprise which provides leisure activities for young people including rollerblading, BMX and skating. It also has conference facilities and provides IT training and an after school club Photograph: Alastair Wight Patrick has been a baker at the Engine Shed for the past 15 years, and oversees the training and development of people with learning disabilities Photograph: Alastair Wight Connor Forbes is a trainee on the Get Ready for Work programme run by McSence for 16-18-year-olds. He is learning plumbing, electrical, and painting and decorating skills to prepare him for a paid apprenticeship placement with a contracting firm Photograph: Alastair Wight