Case Studies

LaunchMe: Community Circus Paisley

About Community Circus Paisley

Community Circus Paisley operates on a unique social enterprise model that challenges traditional perceptions of what constitutes social impact. Based in Paisley, they’ve created a circus training centre that uses a cross-subsidy model – income from paying customers enables them to provide free services to economically disadvantaged and disabled community members.

What They Do

Many people question how a circus can be a social enterprise, seeing it simply as a leisure activity. However, Community Circus Paisley has developed a sophisticated model through their cross-subsidy approach that enables them to grow sustainably as a business that doesn’t rely solely on grants.

Through inclusive service delivery, they offer:

• Specialised programmes for people with a variety of disabilities
• Accessible and therapeutic activities including plate spinning, juggling, trampoline, aerial hammock and hoop
• Community integration through shared spaces and activities

Community Impact Goals 

When Community Circus Paisley opened, they identified several community needs they wanted to address:

Area Regeneration

Lifting the profile and changing perceptions of Ley Park, bringing positive activity and energy to the area.

Changing Perceptions

Breaking down geographical and social barriers by encouraging children from outside the area to attend classes, developing positive associations with Ley Park, a previously overlooked area.

The Challenge

When they first launched, Community Circus Paisley faced several critical knowledge gaps:

Impact Measurement

• Unsure how to measure social impact
• Difficulty articulating their achievements to potential funders
• Lack of data to demonstrate their community value

Funding and Networks

• Limited knowledge about available funding sources
• No established network of supporters or partners
• Unclear how to access grants and other financial support

Business Development

• Uncertainty about how to grow sustainably
• Need for strategic planning and development support

How LaunchMe Helped 

Catherine was clear about what they needed: “For myself, it was measuring social impact.” They recognised this as a critical skill gap that was limiting their growth potential.

LaunchMe provided practical training on how to measure and articulate their social impact:

• Impact measurement skills – documenting their activities systematically, quantifying their achievements and helping them to present compelling evidence to funders
• Funding access – armed with better impact data, they could apply with confidence for other funding
• Strategic development – helping them develop more structured approaches to business planning and growth, addressing specific knowledge gaps rather than general business support.

Transformational Results

After being on LaunchMe, being able to evidence their social impact has led to impressive results for Community Circus Paisley:

• Dramatic service growth – scaling services based on demonstrated demand and community need, tripling their programme delivery, diverse range of classes serving different community needs
• Significant staff expansion – local employment opportunities created with 13 additional staff members recruited with plans to recruit more to meet continued demand
• Business sustainability – robust income generation through paid-for-classes, sustainable cross-subsidy model working effectively and reducing dependence on grants
• Community Impact – Successfully changing perceptions of the Ley Park area with regular engagement from children outside the immediate area

Community Circus Paisley’s Lessons for Other Social Entrepreneurs

1. Cross-subsidy models work – Commercial activities can sustainably fund social programmes when designed thoughtfully
2. Impact measurement is crucial – Being able to articulate and quantify your impact is essential for accessing funding and demonstrating value
3. Targeted learning pays off – Identifying specific skill gaps and seeking targeted support is more effective than general business advice
4. Location-based regeneration is possible – Social enterprises can genuinely change perceptions and revitalise areas through positive activity
5. Growth requires planning – Sustainable expansion from 5 to 18+ classes requires systematic approach to impact measurement, funding, and staffing
6. Community assumptions can be wrong – The impact was “greater than most people anticipated” – don’t underestimate potential for positive change
7. Creative industries can drive social change – Arts, sports, and creative activities can be powerful vehicles for social enterprise

Future Aspirations

Community Circus Paisley demonstrates how creative social enterprises can achieve significant community impact while building financially sustainable operations. Their LaunchMe journey shows how targeted skills development – particularly in impact measurement – can unlock growth opportunities and funding access.

Their success in more than tripling their service delivery while creating substantial local employment proves that well-designed social enterprises can achieve multiple forms of value: individual development, community regeneration, economic impact, and social inclusion.

The organisation’s experience offers a compelling model for how social enterprises can use cross-subsidy approaches to serve both commercial and social markets while creating genuine community transformation.

Find out more about Community Circus Paisley on their website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.