Who are you?

I am Robbie Norval from Lingo Flamingo which is a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow.

What does your business do?

Lingo Flamingo brings tailored language courses and inter cultural workshops to vulnerable and older adults across Scotland. Recent research shows that speaking a second language can postpone the effects of dementia by up to 5 years.

We have therefore implemented a scheme to make learning foreign languages more accessible; empowering vulnerable and older adults through the knowledge of languages.

We deliver workshops and courses to care homes, day centres, retirement communities, NHS support groups and mental health organisations.

As part of our wider ethos we provide training, practical experience and the living wage to international students and refugees helping them integrate and get a foothold in the Scottish job market.

Where are you based?

We are based in the Orkney Street Enterprise Centre in Govan which is an amazing building.

It is an ex police station which has been converted into office space for start-up businesses and social enterprises.

I never would have thought that I would be spending so much time in a cell in Govan but life has a funny way of working out.

How did you get started?

It started from an idea on the back of a discussion in a Troon Café in 2014 to implement a scheme to help tackle isolation and loneliness and to empower older adults.

What is your background?

My background is a bit mixed. I was actually a personal injury solicitor for a while before teaching English abroad in Germany and Scandinavia.

I really enjoy languages but I would describe myself as a “language grafter” rather than a linguist as I still make quite a few funny mistakes, but that’s the thing that I love about languages- it is not about perfection and is instead about communication and having fun whilst doing so.

What is your top tip?

To always say yes. Sometimes opportunities arise that come from left field but it is surprising for us how many opportunities have led to new contacts or joint projects.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

We have our finger in quite a few pies. We have received support and assistance through Jobs and Business Glasgow, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and started with Entrepreneurial Spark in February 2016.

What was your biggest mistake/or what would you do differently?

I am sure we have made a few mistakes along the way but probably the funniest mistake was ordering Flamingo Rose Wine online for the First Minister at our launch night. The bottle was about 3 times bigger than I expected!

Although in saying that she did seem to appreciate the gift. It just goes to show that you should always read the small print...

Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

There are so many amazing social enterprises and charities in Glasgow that have inspired us to develop our enterprise.

We found a gap in the market and also wanted to make a positive contribution towards society.

Where do you plan your business to be in five years time?

We would love to be operating UK-wide having multiple tutor pools across the country and catering to a wide spectrum of different organisations.

Useful contacts:

We have received some great support from Jobs and Business Glasgow. They have given us premises, great advice and contacts to help make our idea into reality - www.jbg.org.uk.

Also GSEN (Glasgow Social Enterprise Network) are a very useful and informative network to be a part of - www.gsen.org.uk.

Contact Details: We are always looking for volunteers, tutors or potential partnerships, so please do get in touch.

contact@lingoflamingo.org

Twitter @lingoflamingo1 and www.lingoflamingo.org