The Calman Trust Ltd

The  Calman Trust Ltd (“Calman”) is a voluntary organisation with bases in Inverness and Easter Ross. It works with young people at risk of breakdown leading to homelessness or worklessness. The young people are offered an integrated service of practical support to address their living situation and to develop skills to ensure that they maintain sustainable independence. The Trust recognised the need to generate income to make them more sustainable and wished to purchase a property for circa £820,000 which will be run as a social hub and cafe alongside its traditional activities.

The purchase will provide a stable base for the future, a direct interface with the public through retail activities in a City Centre location and an enhanced opportunity for future trading capacity which should all lead to improved long term sustainability.

SIF has provided an investment of £327,313 towards the total cost which is a mix of loan and grant.

The activities of the Calman Trust influence young people and help avoid social and rural exclusion They  facilitate entry to training or employment, assist young people in achieving their full potential and contribute to a healthier, more fulfilled approach, better able to cope with the responsibilities of independent living. Employers also have an additional reliable recruitment option which adds quality to the local labour force and Highland communities are strengthened through the active participation of young people.

‘’We are extremely grateful for the support provided by the Social Investment Fund. It means that we can go on to develop a new business involving young people in a combination of training and work, where they will learn the skills and qualifications to achieve their chosen path and take steps to independence at a pace they can sustain. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity, both for the organisation and the young people we work with.’’ Isobel Grigor,  Calman Trust