Spotlight on Ucan – Learn.Work.Live
In our latest member spotlight, we’re delighted to be joined by Ucan – Learn.Work.Live, an Ayrshire social enterprise offering vocational training, work experience and independent living classes to individuals with additional support needs.. We spoke with Matt Buckman, co-founder and director, to find out more about their inspiring work, future plans, and top tips for running a successful social enterprise.
What does your social enterprise do?
Ucan -Learn.Work.Live is an Ayrshire based social enterprise equipping people facing challenges—such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, or exclusion from education and employment—with essential life and work skills. Our mission is empowering these individuals to live independent, confident, and fulfilling lives.
How do you do it?
Client Group:
Primarily individuals of all ages with additional support needs—such as learning disabilities or mental health challenges—and those transitioning out of education or seeking employment.
Activities: We deliver tailored, contextualised programmes combining vocational training such as painting, decorating, woodwork, landscape gardening), independent living classes (e.g., cooking, laundry skills, fitness, personal safety and classes that promote confidence and social relationships) and real work experience within our own enterprises.
We have grown from supporting and working with 20–30 people weekly when we first started to approximately 60 individuals daily across multiple regions including Ayrshire, Glasgow, and Renfrewshire.
Why should someone buy/use your product/services? What are the benefits and what makes your organisation unique?
People choose Ucan because we deliver person-led, real-life outcomes that build both vocational and life skills. Our holistic, supportive approach promotes independence through practical work experience, community enterprise, and everyday living skills. Uniquely, we empower individuals while actively giving back through partnerships, community services, and meaningful local contributions.
What is your personal motivation?
We created Ucan in order to address reduced access to education for many groups, rising school disengagement, and ineffective community supports. It aimed to support those excluded from mainstream education and training by offering meaningful, inclusive alternatives that benefit them but also the wider community.
What is the current focus for your social enterprise?
Ucan is launching three major developments: a larger gym and performance space for clients and the community, a café/shop offering local goods and employment/training opportunities, and a new reception and staff hub. Ucan also plans geographic expansion, supported by low-cost transport and stronger partnerships across education, healthcare, and social care sectors.
What exciting things do you have coming up?
As well as the aforementioned, we continue to engage in events and activities celebrating the creativity and growth of individuals with additional support needs through events like our recent unique performance of the Lion King by our drama group and a powerful Artist’s Exhibition during Learning Disability Awareness Week 2025—highlighting self-expression, confidence, and visibility through visual, mixed media, and sculptural artworks.
Who do you want to work with more?
Local business partners, offering work placements or supportive employment.
What’s your biggest challenge?
A key challenge remains the pressure on local authority budgets, requiring us to be both creative and cost-effective. Beyond funding, however, a consistent is encouraging local employers to offer work placements and supportive employment. Whilst we recognise that in doing so can place demands on those employers it has influenced the creation of our own enterprise initiatives in order to challenge misconceptions that individuals with additional support needs can’t or don’t want to work.
Where do you see your organisation in 5 years?
With a strong leadership team already in place we aim to consolidate our position as an innovative and supportive organisation. We would also hope, however, with the additional services, including the shop café that we are well established as community resource, a disability confident employer that continue to promote the rights and opportunities of those that access our service and from a wider range of local authorities.
What top tips would you give to other social enterprises?
Make sure that you have something that sets you apart from other providers. Ensure that everyone involved in its creation is on the same page and has the same or complementary goals.
Importantly, ensure that your enterprise is economically viable and is not reliant solely on grants and funding. This allows for greater independence, long-term stability, and a stronger focus on its social mission.
For more information about Ucan – Learn.Work.Live, please visit their website.
Want to read more Member Spotlights? Visit our blog. If you’d like to be featured, please email membership@socialenterprise.scot.