With People was founded out of the direct experience of the founders and their peers. As people with physical and sensory impairments the founding team are aware that disabled people find it difficult to get meaningful employment.
Research and experience has shown employers’ perceptions and expectations of the abilities of disabled people do not always match the aspirations and talents of disabled job seekers.

To break the cycle of low expectations the founders decided to move from the traditional idea of things being done to people to one of working with people to empower them. From this came a simple idea – if employment opportunities couldn’t be found then why not create them? Taking the idea forward the founders set up a business, called it With People, and started trading.

Little by little the business went from one customer to two, then three, and onward. The services were initially provided by the founders on a voluntary basis, then one was employed, and then two, and so the business grew as the turnover increased. The business was a true grass roots development.

Today With People are known for their services which are leading edge, innovative, and competitive. By working in this way we believe people will come to understand that disabled people have skills, talents and aspirations which can contribute to a commercially viable, sustainable and vibrant enterprise.

We believe our approach can bring about change, provide opportunity, and contribute to the community.  Others agree as we have been recognised through our achievements:

In 2009, we were short listed as one of the top three new social enterprises in Scotland in the Social Enterprise Awards 2009 – Scotland.

In 2010, we were proud to move into our own office premises.

In 2011, we reached the point of being 100% self-funded through our trading activities.

In our working we follow six simple values which we believe contribute to our effective working, equality of opportunity, and a healthy workplace.

With People CIC
Registered in Scotland,Company No. SC 312604