R-evolution for Good, a Moray social enterprise, winds up after successful community support efforts.
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A Moray-based social enterprise, R-evolution for Good, has announced its closure after four years of dedicated service aimed at combating child poverty. Founded in March 2020 by community advocate Debi Weir, the organization was established as a charitable community benefit society, evolving from Weir’s previous work with Moray School Bank, which focused on providing warm clothing for students during winter months.
Transition from business to community support
Initially, R-evolution for Good aimed to generate profits through training and development programs for businesses, with all earnings directed towards initiatives addressing child poverty. However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic significantly altered the organization’s trajectory.
Weir noted that the enterprise was unable to operate as planned, leading to a pivot towards community support services funded by external sources.
“Rather than take the profit and deliver the support services, we got funding and the support services took off – so it kind of worked backwards,” Weir explained. This shift allowed the organization to focus on delivering essential counseling services, which became a lifeline for many during the pandemic.
Achievements and impact on the community
Despite the challenges faced, R-evolution for Good has much to celebrate. Since its inception, the organization has provided over 2,300 hours of counseling to more than 150 adults and 50 children. Additionally, it has supported 27 counselors, with 17 achieving full qualifications. The organization also launched coaching initiatives, assisting over 140 adults and 90 children, totaling more than 2,800 hours of coaching.
One of the standout programs, the Men’s Space initiative, offered men in Elgin and Lossiemouth a platform for peer support, fostering community connections during difficult times. Furthermore, the charity received a significant boost in 2022 with £177,000 in funding from the European Social Fund for its “Stepping Forward” project, which aimed to help parents set achievable life goals for their children amidst economic challenges.
The bittersweet farewell
In a heartfelt message on the organization’s website, Weir expressed pride in the achievements of R-evolution for Good but acknowledged the necessity of its closure. “We are very proud of all that it has achieved in the past four years, but it is time to wind up the organization,” she stated. The closure has resulted in four redundancies, marking a poignant end to a venture that has left a lasting legacy in the Moray community.
As the organization dissolves, it leaves behind a framework of support that has positively impacted many lives. The community’s response to R-evolution for Good’s initiatives highlights the importance of such programs in fostering resilience and support during challenging times.
