Securing jobs with enthusiasm

Opportunity Kintyre Special Edition Springbank Whisky would make a great present.

Ernesto Sirolli with his bottle of Opportunity Kintyre whisky!

Opportunity Kintyre (OK) is the first pilot of its kind in Scotland. Following the Enterprise Facilitation method of Ernesto Sirolli, OK uses local resources to help local people follow their dreams and passions, to improve their lives and those of the local community.

To date, Opportunity Kintyre has been invited to support 93 local entrepreneurs and social enterprises in Kintyre. We have done this by providing a unique mix of one-to-one management coaching and the provision of relevant resources from our volunteer Community Panel and associated networks.

We have been successful in assisting the creation, expansion or retention of 12 businesses and 1 business acquisition. This has achieved the creation and retention of 16 jobs in Kintyre so far, and a contribution to our community (in terms of capital investment and sales) in excess of £457,700.

Staggeringly, in its first three years of operation (from September 2005), OK is estimated to have contributed over 8,900 volunteer hours to the Kintyre community... and our work continues with the same enthusiasm and determination as ever.

Opportunity Kintyre AGM & Festive Gathering

The Opportunity Kintyre Annual General Meeting is at 7.00pm in the Burnet Building, Campbeltown (near the Cinema), on Tuesday 16th December 2008.

It will be immediately followed by a social evening, a (very) informal networking event light refreshments and festive treats at 8pm. Directors and panel members will be there to welcome clients and friends of Opportunity Kintyre along with guests and partners.

Been there? Done that? Forget the T-Shirt - you can now buy Opportunity Kintyre whisky!

The Opportunity Kintyre Special Bottling of Glengyle Whisky is available at the tasting room, Springbank's whisky shop on Bolgam Street, Campbeltown. It is a special 4 year old to celebrate the reopening of Glengyle and on that basis is stronger than an older whisky, so you only need a drop to enjoy the spirit. There are various options:

20cl £12
35cl £20
70cl £40

When OK panel member Ailsa Clark investigated, she was impressed:

"Obviously in the interest of fair and honest marketing I had to taste some and I can confirm it is a grand whisky and would make a great addition to any drinks cabinet. It would make a great Christmas present too."

Re-opened on 25th March 2004 after 80 silent years, Mitchell's Glengyle Distillery took its place alongside Springbank and Glen Scotia Distilleries, thus restoring Campbeltown to its rightful place alongside the classic whisky producing regions of Scotland. This bottle of 4 year old Kilkerran Single Malt is produced using local skills and resources and is a symbol of strength in the Kintyre economy and community.

A breath of fresh air in the economy

"Opportunity Kintyre is an innovative community project ... and already it is clear that they are making a difference." These are the words of Jim Mather MSP, Enterprise Minister, who is very supportive of our project. Speaking earlier this year, he continued "At grassroots level, their efforts ... have boosted the confidence of local people and increased the chances of them succeeding in business".

Here's what clients were saying about Opportunity Kintyre this year:

"It's been really helpful having someone to talk to ... it's given us a chance to sit down and think things through properly."
"[OK] did a great job for us in the early stages of our project."
"It's great just knowing that there is help and support at the other end of the phone."
"Thanks to people like you, things are really starting to change [in Kintyre]."
"OK were like a breath of fresh air."
"I would say to anyone who is thinking of starting their own business to get in touch with OK."
"I would like to say a big thank you for our last chat as it really gave me time to stop and reflect on my practice and think about how to move things forward, instead of feeling I was going around in circles."
"Business has picked up for me ... I am getting local work at last. I'm also more relaxed about things now."
"I couldn't have done this on my own."
"I realise just how much I've actually achieved in one year with help from Opportunity Kintyre - Thanks!!!"

If you'd like to explore your business ideas in confidence, call Lynn (Enterprise Facilitator) on 07901 550 928. New members are always welcome - send an enquiry today to get more information about joining.