The award-winning business mentoring programme run by Perthshire-based community enterprise support organisation GrowBiz is the first in Scotland to achieve the Scottish Mentoring Network Quality Standard.
To achieve this, an organisation must demonstrate that it meets the expectations and requirements of those taking part in its mentoring programme and that the initiative is applying good practice to all aspects of its work.
The GrowBiz mentoring programme – which has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2014 – is the first enterprise-focused scheme to be accredited in Scotland.
The programme is delivered with the help of Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER, and is managed by Clair Smith.
She said: “It is fantastic to have achieved this award from the Scottish Mentoring Network and we are over the moon that the hard work and dedication of our volunteer mentors has been recognised.
“The GrowBiz mentoring programme, which currently has over 70 participants, is a network of trained mentors who give their time to encourage, motivate and support local enterprises.
“It provides an opportunity for participants to discuss and work out what they would like to achieve in a supportive, safe and confidential environment.
“The mentees benefit from being challenged, from focusing and prioritising, and developing new personal skills and abilities, while the mentors enjoy the challenge and opportunity to guide, encourage and empower mentees from many different enterprises.
“There is also a huge positive impact on the local rural economy.”
In 2018, GrowBiz held 29 women’s enterprise networking events and supported 280 women-owned businesses.
