Based in East Dunbartonshire, Creatovators CIC is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting autistic people of all ages and their families. Through a variety of initiatives including play schemes, Lego-based therapy, video projects, and peer-led sessions, they provide safe, creative environments where participants can feel comfortable being themselves, connect with likeminded people and have space to develop and thrive.
The success of Creatovators’ autistic-led approach and range of activities has led to strong demand, however this uncovered a challenge that many small social enterprises encounter: how to measure and evidence their impact in order to secure the support and funding they needed to grow.
Turning Stories into Evidence
Creatovators’ work is hands-on, supporting small groups of children, young people, adults and their families in meaningful ways. But while participants and parents spoke passionately about the difference the organisation was making, it was hard to turn this feedback into the facts, figures and frameworks required to demonstrate their impact to potential funders and partners.
Founder and Director June Grindley recalls:
“So many people wanted the data, but because we work with a small number of people intensively, it was difficult to show that in a way that made sense to funders and commissioners.”
With demand growing and June juggling multiple roles alone, the organisation needed tailored support to help it evidence its social impact and access opportunities for growth.
Bespoke Guidance at the Right Time
It was this conundrum that led Creatovators to seek help from Just Enterprise. Working one-to-one with a business adviser, June explored practical ways to capture and communicate the organisation’s impact. This included developing a framework that combined both qualitative stories and measurable outcomes, alongside guidance on how to apply this in funding bids, reports, and conversations with stakeholders.
The support was highly bespoke, reflecting the reality of Creatovators’ intensive, small-group approach. It gave June the confidence to talk about impact in her own words while still meeting funders’ expectations.
“It wasn’t generic – it was very much about helping us tell our story, in a way that recognised how unique our model is.”
The Resulting Ripple Effect
The impact of that support has been significant in helping Creatovators to expand their reach. Since working with Just Enterprise, the organisation has achieved:
- Growth in services: going from one play scheme to three, they have been able to help more children and families in East Dunbartonshire.
- Securing new premises: providing a permanent base for activities and community engagement.
- Volunteer expansion: active volunteers doubled, from around 20 to more than 40, many of whom are neurodivergent themselves and have gone on to employment or training opportunities.
- Increased staff capacity: from a single founder to a small paid team, including a part-time coordinator and a staff member who originally joined as a volunteer.
- Improving experiences: a video project on autism diagnosis, created by young autistic adults, directly influenced NHS clinicians to adopt more positive, supportive language during assessments.
Perhaps most importantly, the organisation has gained the tools and confidence to secure funding, report on outcomes, and plan strategically for the future.
Building for the Future
Creatovators is now looking beyond growth to long-term sustainability. Alongside its community programmes, the organisation is launching training for employers and professionals to help workplaces better understand and harness the strengths of the neurodivergent community.
This trading income will complement grant funding, making the organisation more resilient while staying true to its mission of creating safe spaces and celebrating strengths.
Final Reflections
For June, the support from Just Enterprise was a turning point. It confirmed the value of Creatovators’ unique model and provided a framework that could be used again and again to demonstrate impact. Crucially, it gave her the confidence to share the organisation’s story with funders and partners in a way that resonated.
She is clear that Creatovators would have grown regardless, but with Just Enterprise’s help the process was quicker, more focused, and more sustainable. That timely intervention has enabled the organisation to expand its services, strengthen its volunteer base, and influence practice well beyond its immediate community.