Highlands and Islands Enterprise
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Case study

Macaulay College

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Freedom and space to grow confidence and self-belief

Macaulay College is a community interest company based on 120 acres of family farm on the Lochs Road outside Stornoway. Set up over a decade ago by directors Roland Engebretsen and Rebecca Lindsay, the College provides unique local services for people from school age to adults from across Harris and Lewis with additional and social needs.

Learning options include animal care, horticulture activities in the polytunnel, creativity through arts and crafts, as well as life skills including enterprise - selling the farm eggs, and making jams and chutneys. There is support for students to attend Lews Castle College, workplaces, and social and community events. In addition to the weekday provision, there are 1-to-1 services which can operate seven days a week.

Having grown steadily over the years - now at full capacity with 24 students and employing 18 people - Macaulay College is launching a major expansion. A £1m investment plan will see a refurbishment and expansion of their facilities to meet additional local needs in the community. 

As a small social enterprise that has grown steadily, we have a significant impact on our local community.

Roland Engebretsen , director, Macaulay College
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Looking to the future at Macaulay College

At HIE we've been helping Macaulay College with their growth plans for the future. Their investment project secured £500,000 from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund, a grant for £120,000 from us, and support from CNES Crown Estates, Galson Estate Trust, Muaitheabhal Community Windfarm Trust, Horshader Community Development and Stornoway Trust.

We've also previously supported the development officer post with our Pathfinder programme, and they've accessed specialist business advice to review their business model and strategy. 

Macaulay College's supported clients are referred through the social work and education departments. In addition to this income, the business has secured funding from a range of partners, and is grateful for the support of local volunteers. They've seen growth funding from:

  • Business Gateway which has helped with building improvements and electric connection further up the farm;
  • the NHS and SLCF for an accessible toilet;
  • Loganair for solar panels;
  • the Charities Aid Foundation and National Lottery Communities Fund for two timber buildings during lockdown;
  • Scottish Government Adapt & Thrive Funding for a one year development worker post.

 

What's Next?

A purpose-built facility that is fit for purpose will make an enormous difference to the students. The extension will allow for future growth, and provide flexible, warm and bright facilities.

Rebecca Lindsay, director at Macaulay College, says:

"This development will make a difference to families and students as well as those who work here, and will also reduce pressure on other local, at capacity services. It will allow more families to work while their loved one is supported at the college. It will support the local economy as well as increase what Macaulay College will offer as a wider community resource.”
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Supporting business development

Pathfinder was a HIE programme helping entrepreneurs to accelerate their business ideas.  Macaulay College development worker Jo-Ann took part to explore opportunities to develop new gift products unique to the farm, its setting and the students' art work. Involvement encouraged the business to push forward on their first product - Jimmy the donkey Christmas jumpers.

Jo-Ann has also worked with Interface to explore a collaboration with Scottish Universities and Colleges Design students to support product development ideas.

If your business has big plans for expansion or diversification find out how we can help you.

HIE support

Since we started working with HIE there’s been a chain reaction taking us forward in directions we hadn’t foreseen. The specialist support has helped us focus on what's needed and how to pursue that.

Jo-Ann McConnachie, development worker, Macaulay College

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