Social enterprise agency report finds social enterprises demonstrate strong resilience while delivering inclusive growth across communities
Social enterprise agency Firstport has published its annual Impact Report for 2025/26, revealing that enterprises it supports outperform UK business survival rates while delivering inclusive economic growth across Scotland and the North East of England.
Over the past year, Firstport supported more than 500 ideas and distributed £2.97 million in funding, including £1.69 million in grants and £1.28 million in social investment, helping social enterprises start, grow and scale.
Enterprises backed by Firstport demonstrate strong resilience, with 67% still active after five years, compared to a UK average of 38%*. They operate across key sectors including health and social care, education, and the creative industries, tackling issues such as health inequalities, access to education and community wellbeing.
The report also highlights the wider economic contribution of Firstport-supported enterprises. Participants in its investment-readiness programmes have gone on to leverage nearly £1.5 million in additional funding, while 87% of early-stage clients increased turnover and 61% grew their trading income.
Firstport delivered 2,700 hours of start-up support and 471 hours of investment-readiness support, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, impactful organisations. This support translates into strong outcomes for founders, with 89% reporting increased confidence, and more than half (54%) saying they would not have achieved the same results without Firstport’s support.
The organisations supported by Firstport work with some of the most vulnerable groups in society, addressing complex social and environmental challenges while contributing to local economies across Scotland and the North East of England.
Gael Drummond, Firstport’s Chief Executive, said: “We are very proud to share the results of our annual impact report. The report demonstrates that Firstport’s client-centred support is equipping social entrepreneurs with the confidence, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. Combined with timely funding, this support is empowering them to create meaningful change in their communities.
“We know more can be done to build an inclusive economy and widen participation in entrepreneurship, and we look forward to engaging our clients, alumni, partners and funders to explore the report’s findings”.
Helen Stewart is one of the social entrepreneurs who engaged with Firstport over the last year. She founded Fair Feast two years ago to process deer from areas of extreme overpopulation into venison for food parcels. Since establishing Fair Feast, the enterprise has donated nearly 2.5 tonnes of venison to local food banks, helping to improve nutrition in their local area while protecting a vulnerable environment.
She benefited from Firstport’s grant funding and business advice to help her launch the idea. More recently, she accessed Firstport’s 0% interest loan to fit out their butcher shop, which opened in Pitlochry last month. It is the first social enterprise butcher shop in Scotland. Talking about securing Firstport’s backing for her enterprise, Helen said: “It was that huge vote of confidence that we believe you can do it, and we’re going to support you. It was honestly a game changer for us. Fair Feast would not be where it is today without Firstport’s support”
To read the full report and learn more about Firstport’s impact, visit the Firstport website.
