A Dundee social enterprise on a mission to support female entrepreneurs provided 100 activities to almost 1,000 women in the first 100 days of lockdown.
Women’s Business Station delivered a record-breaking number of online sessions and events to those affected by Covid-19.
The activities offered ranged from business advice and networking to health and wellbeing, with around £11,000 worth of support provided in-kind by local businesses. Around 50 women have also received one-to-one support with a similar number benefitting from volunteer opportunities.
The programme of activities was created in response to a survey of members of Women’s Business Station.
Conducted in May, over half of all respondents reported a ‘very negative’ early impact on their business operations with trading ceasing altogether. Almost 30% of respondents were struggling to access appropriate financial support.
On the upside, over half of all respondents had diversified to assist with cashflow, from making masks, creating online shops and developing new skills to moving classes online and maximising video conferencing.
Women’s Business Station chief executive Angie De Vos said: “Because many of the women we support are in the early stages of creating a business, we knew they would be disproportionately affected by lockdown but we also knew we could do something about it.
“We therefore did what we do best, supported our members, kept them motivated and informed and welcomed others into the network.
“We also provided opportunities for local businesses to raise their own profile by providing in-kind support through online advisory sessions and webinars.
“We are so grateful to our funders for allowing us to continue supporting the women we work with, and for keeping the dreams and plans of these women alive despite the incredibly challenging climate they’re working in.”
Women’s Business Station aims to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of 10,000 women in Scotland by 2030.