More Than Work: CWAG Gathers at RSBi, a Leading Glasgow Social Enterprise, to Champion Inclusive Employment
May 16, 2025Posted by:
This month's Community Wealth Advocacy Group (CWAG) summit didn’t just talk about inclusive employment - it took place where it’s lived every day.
Hosted by RSBi in Glasgow, one of the UK’s largest and most respected social enterprises, the event brought the day’s purpose to life from the moment attendees walked through the door.
With roots stretching back to 1805 and the Glasgow Blind Asylum, RSBi is part of City Building (Glasgow) LLP and employs a workforce where over 50% identify as disabled. As a supported business, it reinvests all profits into jobs, training, and accessible infrastructure - proving that commercial success and social impact can go hand in hand. Its model doesn’t just create opportunity for people who have been overlooked by traditional employment - it’s built around them.
That ethos shaped the entire day as co-chairs Alastair Kerr (PeoplePlus) and Laura Savage (PeoplePlus) took attendees through a packed-day of insight and inspiration.
RSBi Factory Manager and supported employment champion Ben Kerr opened with a session on inclusive recruitment, followed by a behind-the-scenes factory tour that allowed delegate. s to see the organisation’s values in action. RSBi employees manufacture high-quality furniture, kitchens, and specialist interior fittings for schools, social housing, offices, and care environments - all produced on-site by a skilled and diverse workforce.
Attendees represented 25 organisations, including Brightwork, Capability Scotland, Kier Group, the Scottish Prison Service, Antz UK, and Glasgow City Council. The agenda was designed to balance practical insight with lived experience. Speakers included Donella Duff (North Lanarkshire Industries), Dean Reilly (JSL Services), Arlene Callan (PeoplePlus) and James, a participant in Fair Start Scotland, who shared both his own journey - and his perspective on his son’s experience of finding and keeping work as a young person with autism.
Interviewed by David Mathew (PeoplePlus), who delivered employment training support to hundreds of Fair Start Scotland participants, James beat his nerves to bring honesty and humour to the session. His son had planned to join him on the day - but couldn’t attend because he’d picked up an extra shift at work, prompting a spontaneous and heartfelt cheer from attendees. The cheer said so much about the atmosphere in the room.
In the afternoon, Jen Pemberton (CEO, Antz UK) joined Laura Savage (PeoplePlus) for a wide-ranging conversation on employer engagement and community wealth. The event closed with a keynote from Councillor Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, who spoke about the city’s role in driving inclusive economic growth.
"We need to stop talking about disability and talk about ability," said Ben Kerr, RSBi factory manager.
"RSBi did so much more than host the event - they set the tone,” said Laura Savage, Director, Partner Services, PeoplePlus. “CWAG isn’t about theory. It’s about what’s already working - and how we scale it.”
As momentum builds around inclusive employment and social value, CWAG continues to grow as a practical, cross-sector movement - bringing together employers, public services, and community voices to shift the way we think about work.
To learn more visit:
peopleplus.co.uk/scotlandcwsn
To get involved, email [email protected]
May 16, 2025Posted by:
