Congratulations to Erin Hutton!

Congratulations to Erin, our incredible Café Manager and this year’s winner of the Social Enterprise Employee Champion Award at the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2025!

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Erin’s amazing journey and well-deserved recognition!

Erin first joined Scran Academy through our Academy programme, and since then, her growth has been nothing short of inspiring. Starting out as a café assistant at just 16, she quickly progressed to chef and now leads the way as Café Manager at our NHS Comely Bank Centre Café.

Over the past year, Erin has developed both personally and professionally. She leads with confidence and a genuine passion for supporting young people like herself. Customers love coming in for a chat and to see what delicious new special she’s been working on. She truly is the face of the café!

Reflecting on her journey, Erin said:

“Massive thank you to everyone that’s been part of my journey and to Scran for getting me to where I am today, they never gave up on me and made me believe in myself, they told me every day I could do it and they were right!! Getting nominated for the award was just as good as winning it for me so to hear my name be called out was amazing! To have my mum and partner there too just made the night, they were my support through it all. Thank you again everyone means a lot.”

It was amazing celebrating her win with influential people, including First Minister John Swinney MSP, Chris Martin (Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Scotland), and Kirsty Lynch from the Social Enterprise Academy, sponsors of the award, along with other changemakers dedicated to empowering young people and strengthening Scotland’s social enterprise community.

What makes Erin’s story even more special is how she’s now using her lived experience to support young people in our employability programme. Having walked that same path, she knows exactly how to help them thrive. Her passion and encouragement inspire everyone around her.

Erin’s journey perfectly embodies what Scran stands for: creating real opportunities for young people to grow, lead, and thrive. Now, she’s helping others do exactly that.

👏 Congratulations, Erin! We’re so proud of you and everything you’ve achieved. Here’s to even more success ahead. 💫