A SOCIAL enterprise run by pupils from a Wee County academy has received national recognition last week.

Lornshill Academy's Citizenship Café, which was launched in 2017 as reported in the Advertiser at the time, was one of 56 such ventures celebrated at the 15th Annual Social Enterprise Academy Awards.

Pupils and teachers travelled to the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Thursday, June 16, for the awards.

The café has been running for the past five years as a hub for the community, including parents and businesses, enabling the young people to learn valuable employability skills, for instance through barista training.

Daniel Ross, a teacher at Lornshill, said: "We are delighted to be recognised for the school's commitment to social enterprise at the Social Enterprise Academy Awards.

"Social enterprise plays an important role in the development of our pupils and it is wonderful to see them channel their social channels and create the change they want to see in the world.

"Congratulations to all of the schools recognised at this special event."

The café at Lornshill has been allowing young people to build their skills outside the classroom, boosting their confidence and ability to communicate.

Neil McLean, CEO at the Social Enterprise Academy, added: "By giving young people a real-life experience of running their own social enterprise in school, our programme delivers transformational learning which impacts them and their community.

"The young people participating are of all ages and abilities and they are passionate and articulate advocates of social enterprise, not only inspiring people in their own communities, but also people and communities across the world in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Egypt and South Africa.

"Thanks to support from The Scottish Government, we aim to give every school in Scotland the opportunity to create their own social enterprise by 2024."