Community Learning Exchange: Kanzen for Life
Posted: 07 July 2026, in News
Social Enterprise Summit Scotland 2026
On the 16th of June, Kanzen for Life hosted a Community Learning Exchange as part of the Social Enterprise Summit Scotland 2026.
Funded through the Scottish Community Alliance Community Learning Exchange Fund, social enterprise practitioners spent the afternoon in Dundee, learning about Kanzen for Life’s inspiring journey from a community sports organisation to an award-winning social enterprise.
Founded in 2009 by lifelong martial arts enthusiasts Roy O’Kane and Dan Woods, the organisation began as Kanzen Karate. In 2024, they rebranded to Kanzen for Life to reflect its mission of community empowerment, education and prevention. Currently, Kanzen supports over 1,200 people weekly across Scotland.
Through presentations from Roy O’Kane and the Kanzen team, a tour of the new centre and open discussion, participants explored how sport, education and wellbeing are used to support children, young people and communities in order to build confidence and create positive life destinations.
The visit offered valuable insight into the organisation’s approach to sport and activity and demonstrated the importance of strong leadership, partnership working and investing in young people. Seeing the work first-hand and hearing from the passionate team – particularly the young people helping to shape and deliver programmes – highlighted the impact of creating opportunities for people to realise their potential.
The exchange also reinforced the value of visiting organisations in-person and sharing examples of best practice. Behind every strategy and policy discussion are real people, relationships and lives being changed through community-led action.
Key reflections from the day included:
Thank you to Roy O’Kane and the entire Kanzen for Life team for their warm welcome, generosity and openness in sharing their learning and experiences. The visit left participants with fresh ideas and a stronger appreciation of the power of wellbeing.