Who we are
We are Sleeping Giants Community Development CIC, an experienced grassroots and community-focussed social enterprise working primarily within rural areas across the South of Scotland.
We have a particular focus on those who are most disengaged and disadvantaged, and provide a range of capacity-building services and support that strengthen the skills, abilities and confidence of people and groups to take effective action and leading roles in the development of their communities. Sleeping Giants is not a standard consultancy company - we are flexible, creative, dynamic and innovative, and we pride ourselves in our range of skills and expertise, our strong networks and relationships, and our unwavering commitment to our values, which underpin all of our work. As well as the services we provide and the skills we bring, the way in which we work is highly valued by our clients. We are responsive to their needs, forming meaningful relationships, taking time to get to know them properly - their people, values, strengths, challenges and aspirations. We are often viewed by the organisations we support as an extended part of their team, and our willingness to ‘walk their path’ alongside them, offering flexible and tailored support along the way, brings many of our clients back to us again and again. |
Sleeping Giants started life as a Partnership Business in 2014, however realising that all our aims were social, we reformed as a social enterprise in February 2017. Our name reflects and recognises the strength that exists within people and communities, if only they are enabled to awaken their potential.
You can read more about our team, our board, our associates and our impact (as well as accessing some of our key documents) by clicking the buttons below. |
Who we work with
Our mission articulates a key focus on focus on those who face most barriers. Through our strategic review which has been based on feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, we have further refined our target groups to groups and organisations, staff, volunteers and active community members (of all ages) that support:
- people and communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID
- protected characteristic groups and others who face inequalities and / or financial exclusion
- rural communities (including Development Trusts, Community Anchor Organisations and Community Councils)
- young people, including those on an employability journey
- volunteers, including those with a leadership, representative, or activist role within communities
Where we work
Sleeping Giants aims to be known as the go to organisation for community-focussed capacity building services and support across the South of Scotland and its neighbouring authorities.
Being embedded in, and close to the communities we serve is important to us, and ensures that we understand the local context and can support clients in the best way possible. While we will undertake work in other geographic areas, this will be selective, and focussed on our key areas of interest including rurality and equality and diversity, ensuring that the bulk of our capacity is retained for clients and communities in our areas of focus. Wherever we work, we will strive to champion and raise the profile of the South of Scotland, sharing learning and bringing learning home. |
Definition of capacity building by Skinner: Strengthening Communities 2006