LOIP Business Start Up Project Shortlisted for a National Award!

Our Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) business start up project team have been shortlisted for the Best Collaborative Working initiative (with other public sector or third sector award at the Association for Public Service Excellence Awards (APSE) Awards 2024.

The multi-agency project led by Jamie Hutcheon – Business Gateway Manager have successfully helped 53 people transition into self-employment helping them reduce their reliance on financial benefit, such as Universal Credit.

The project’s success to date has been due to various improvements, but mainly to the presence of a dedicated community business advisor. The advisor was assigned to specific priority areas within the Aberdeen City area. This provides personalised and accessible support to individuals on their self-employment journeys. The project works in partnership by having a targeted funding approach in the form of seed funding from ABZ Works, which removes the biggest barriers in setting up a business with access to finance.

Working with many agencies have been a highlight, from sharing spaces, knowledge, and referrals to driving a customer-focused approach in supporting individuals to reduce or come off benefits. The community business advisor is based on set days within the community and this has fostered and supported a trusting relationship along with listening to the community needs and ensuring the community is engaged.

One of the project’s focuses is the human-centric approach. For many participants, the transition from benefit dependency to business ownership has been life-changing. Stories of individuals gaining financial independence and confidence show the importance of dedicated and accessible localised support. These personal journeys highlight the importance of driving economic and social change.

Well done to Donna Davie – Business Gateway Startup & Community Business Advisor, Jamie Hutcheon – Business Gateway Manager, Jim Johnstone , City Development Team, Aberdeen City Council, Gillian MacDonald – Business Gateway Senior Startup Business Advisor, Graham Donald – Aberdeen City Council Community Development Officer, Stan Smith – Aberdeen Pathways, Katerina Kosmidoua – Aberdeen Foyer, Kat Anderson – Penumbra Aberdeen and the wider Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire team for their commitment and outcomes achieved. We will let you know the outcome of the final award