Get to know a bit more about us.
Ucan's Vision and Evolution: Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Communities
Ucan was conceived as a social enterprise dedicated to equipping individuals who had faced educational and employment barriers with essential life and work skills. The goal was to create a fun, vibrant and welcoming centre that would not only support personal development but also contribute meaningfully to the broader community.
Key Drivers Behind Ucan's Creation
Educational Challenges: Further Education in Scotlandunderwent a period of change that reduced access to courses for those falling under the umbrella of ‘inclusion’.
Mainstream Education Gaps: There was a noticeable increase in school children struggling to adapt to the mainstream curriculum, leaving them without adequate support in learning.
Training Programme Limitations: Many young people leaving school were unable to thrive in traditional training programmes or college settings.
Fragmented Community Support: Community support services were often disjointed, with mismatched workers and clients engaging in activities that lacked real value.
Recognising these challenges, Ucan presented its innovative concept to East Ayrshire Council’s Employment and Learning Disability Teams, who were impressed and decided to support a pilot programme.
Following the pilot’s success, Ucan was invited to join East Ayrshire Council’s Community Support Framework in 2013, solidifying its role as a key service provider in the area.
Impact and Growth
Ucan’s journey since then has been one of continuous growth and expansion.
We have helped approximately 400 individuals across Ayrshire, Glasgow, and East Renfrewshire to date. At the same time, our facilities continue to grow, offering a variety of fantatstic classes and activities ranging from independent cooking, to pet care, and woodwork. We also operate businesses in painting, decorating, and landscape gardening, with plans for further expansion.
Head to our ‘Activities’ section to discover more about the activities we have on offer.
Key Milestones
Adaptive Services: We have evolved to meet the needs of our diverse clientele, including neurodivergent individuals and those experiencing high levels of anxiety and social isolation.
Work Experience and Volunteering: We have provided hundreds of work experience and volunteering opportunities, helping individuals gain valuable skills.
Qualification Achievements: Over 50 individuals have earned recognised SQA qualifications in hospitality and woodcraft through our programmes.
Support for Continued Education: We have assisted many individuals in accessing and completing college and other training.
Employment Opportunities: Ucan has offered employment to former service users who struggled to find work elsewhere.
Community Contributions: We have contributed approximately £14,000 to local charities and good causes including regular donations to East Ayrshire Foodbank.
Public Services: Our gardening and decorating services are offered to the public with a focus on affordability, often providing services for free.
Collaborative Efforts: We work closely with other professionals and organisations to ensure comprehensive support for our service users.
Extracurricular Activities: Ucan offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, enhancing the overall experience for our participants. Including games nights and discos.
Valued Learning Placements: Ucan serves as a respected placement opportunity for students in Health Care, Social Care, Nursing, and Social Work, contributing to the development of future professionals.