Places for People helps tackle the skills shortage, leveraging its supply chain to support Scottish charity The Ridge

Places for People (PfP), the UK’s leading social enterprise dedicated to building thriving communities and transforming lives, has joined forces with Dunbar-based charity The Ridge to deliver a groundbreaking project aimed at tackling the skills shortage and social challenges. 

In a landmark collaboration, PfP is leveraging its construction supply chain to support the completion of new facilities in Dunbar. This ambitious development will revitalise a collection of historic buildings to house a state-of-the-art support centre, including a training kitchen, office spaces, multipurpose rooms, and the surrounding Backlands community garden. 

Trainees, apprentices, and secondary school pupils will benefit directly from the project, gaining valuable experience in trades such as stonemasonry and joinery – skills critical for preserving Scotland’s heritage buildings and addressing housing sector demands. Additionally, the Backlands garden will continue to serve as a hub for training, sustainability, and wellbeing, offering gardening opportunities to trainees, volunteers, and individuals supported by The Ridge’s various programmes. 

Through its supply chain, PfP has provided practical support to bring this vision to life. Among them are Novus Property Solutions who through their charitable partnership with PfP provided over £40,000 of materials and skills across multiple disciplines. Elsewhere, Cablecom supplied free-of-charge luminaires valued at £3,258.00 – a donation that came thanks to collaborations with Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors Ltd and other manufacturers.   

Marcus Hulme, Places Impact Director of Places for People explained: "The housing and construction industries are grappling with a severe skills shortage, which makes initiatives like those led by The Ridge more crucial than ever. 

"At Places for People, alongside our exceptional supply chain, we are committed to more than just building homes; we are dedicated to equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. Supporting projects like this is not only about meeting immediate needs but also about securing the long-term future of our industry and the communities we serve. 

"The Ridge’s approach seamlessly blends skills training, personalised support, and sustainable development to drive lasting, positive change. We are proud to support their efforts to expand their reach, providing vital opportunities to people in Dunbar and the surrounding areas." 

Katie Wood, Managing Director of The Ridge added: “We’re committed to equipping people with the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s through apprenticeships, hands-on training, or tailored support services. 

“Our partnership with Places for People and their supply chain partners is transformative. Their practical and generous support is helping us deliver our ambitious plans for Black Bull Close, enabling us to provide even more opportunities for individuals to gain the skills our sector desperately needs. It’s a huge step forward in tackling skills shortages and creating a brighter future for our community.” 

PfP has a strong track record in Scotland, with projects such as The Engine Yard in Edinburgh and the coastal regeneration at Chapelton showcasing its commitment to sustainable development and community impact. Supporting The Ridge aligns with its mission to create opportunities and improve lives by building stronger, more skilled communities.