#IWD25 Stories – Sophy Green, Instant Neighbour
This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible women leading the way in Scotland’s social enterprise sector. At Social Enterprise Scotland, we’re proud to have recently launched the Women in Social Enterprise (WISE) Collective – a dedicated network where female social entrepreneurs can connect, share experiences, and support one another.
In our mini blog series, we spoke to women in the network who are making a difference through their social enterprises to find out what International Women’s Day means to them, who inspires them and their advice to women everywhere.
In this blog, we spoke with Sophy Green, Chief Executive at Instant Neighbour.
Instant Neighbour supports people on low incomes to set up home, by providing access to low-cost reuse furniture, white goods, and clothing.
💜 What International Women’s Day Means to Me
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, resilience, and the collective power of women everywhere. It’s a reminder that gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a societal one. Every woman’s voice, ambition, and contribution matter, and we must continue pushing for spaces where women are heard, valued, and empowered.
💪 A Woman Who Inspires You
Annie Lennox, is local to Aberdeen, my city, she is an inspirational singer and founded The Circle in 2008. It is a global feminist organisation, supporting women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic inequality across the world. She is not frightened to take on causes that impact women and fights hard to help create a safer and fairer world for the most marginalised and vulnerable women and girls globally.
🚀 My Advice to Women Everywhere
For me, this day is deeply personal. Leading Instant Neighbour has shown me the incredible strength of women in our communities—women who juggle immense challenges yet show up every day for their families, their work, and their futures. Whether it’s a mother striving to create a better home, a woman rebuilding her life after hardship, or a colleague breaking barriers in her field, their resilience is inspiring.
Today is about recognising how far we’ve come, but also about committing to the work still ahead—ensuring that opportunity, leadership, and success are not limited by gender. Let’s uplift, support, and champion each other—not just today, but every day.
Read other International Women’s Day stories here.
If you are interested in joining the Women in Social Enterprise Collective, please email hello@socialenterprise.scot.