People with Purpose: Engagement and Employers

For the third in our series of social impact speaker events, we’ll zoom in on innovations being made by enterprises seeking to enhance employment and skills for those with diverse backgrounds. We’ll explore the joys and pains of growing an organisation which combines bespoke fabrication and training for those with diverse backgrounds; the challenges of tackling the stigma around homelessness; and the importance of pivoting to enhance the employment support that can be offered to people in crisis.

Stay tuned for more information on our speakers, including: Zakia Moulaoui of Invisible Cities, Linsey Melo de Silva of Forge and Equip, and Jane Devine of FourSquare.

Who are the people behind Forge and Equip and what does growth look like to them? We are Daniel and Linsey Melo da Silva, the Founders of Forge and Equip; we're a Brazilian-Scottish hybrid of innovation, diligence, integrity and kindness! A lack of high quality training and employment opportunities for those far from the labour market inspired us to start Forge and Equip CIC. We carry out bespoke fabrication and use sustainable resources as much as possible. For us growth is seeing trainees moving from passive receivers to active contributors in the organisation (or to society at large) and developing our commercial activity in order to grow our team, invest in a bigger premises and create more opportunities for employment.

What is Four Square?

Four Square is an Edinburgh charity supporting people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Employing over 80 staff at 7 locations across the city we provide support, advice, accommodation and learning and training opportunities.

We also run one of Scotland’s largest social enterprises – Edinburgh Furniture Initiative; where we re-sell donated furniture to support our charity and create volunteering and learning opportunities. In addition, October 2023 saw us open the Four Square Park Café – serving affordable food and drink as well as providing another income stream to the charity. The café also provides volunteering, training and employment opportunities for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

At Four Square we believe everyone deserves a beautiful home and a place in their community and we support over 1,000 people every year to achieve this.

About Charisma Charity Recruitment

Charisma Charity Recruitment (Charisma) are the non-profit recruitment experts. Since 2002, we've been the trusted recruitment partner for a diverse range of charities, not-for-profits and third sector organisations across the UK.
We understand the opportunities, challenges and values that drive the sector, and we utilise our extensive knowledge to attract and secure experienced leaders as well as supporting the next generation of talented individuals preparing to join this unique and purposeful sector.

We work in partnership and every campaign is unique. We work hard to guarantee a successful outcome, and by working in partnership, we get to know your organisation, and its values, allowing us to represent you and your organisation with the same enthusiasm that you have for your cause. This understanding ensures that we engage the right people, who will bring the relevant skills and experience to help your organisation reach even greater heights.

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