Ecas

What Ecas does

Ecas is a registered charity (SC014929) founded in 1902 that provides support services to physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian, Scotland. Operating as a company limited by guarantee with approximately 10 employees, it is one of Edinburgh's longest-established disability charities, serving adults aged 18+ with a physical disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010 whose primary pain points are social isolation, loneliness, and limited access to disability-specific activities and equipment.

Ecas delivers a portfolio of weekly activity groups (Art, Craft, Music for Fun, Reading and Creative Writing, Swimming, Seated Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, and Computing), a volunteer-led Befriending Service (matched companionship of approximately 2 hours per week), a disability grants fund, and a Young People's Service (currently paused). Activities are delivered in-person at accessible venues around Edinburgh, including Out of the Blue Drill Hall and Oaklands School, and online via video conferencing platforms adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on physical venues, volunteer labour, and standard video conferencing tools. Grant disbursements grew from £17,276 (23 awards in 2020-21) to £43,689 (22 awards in 2021-22), indicating expanding programme activity post-pandemic.

Ecas is funded through a combination of investment income from an approximately £5 million portfolio, donations, and grants from external funders including the Scottish Government and corporate partners such as Aegon. Members pay £2.30 per 2-hour activity session with new members entitled to a two-week free trial, and grants are available to help eligible members cover fees and transport costs. The charity markets through its website (ecas.scot), social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky), email newsletter, and referrals from NHS, health workers, and social services; its go-to-market motion is community-led and direct-to-consumer, with both self-referral and institutional referral pathways.

Name

Ecas

Legal name

Ecas Ltd.

Website

https://ecas.scot

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ecas is a registered charity founded in 1902 providing activity groups, befriending, and disability grants to physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian, Scotland, operating with approximately 10 employees and a £5 million investment portfolio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management (EDALAGAK)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Befriending services
• Community activity groups
• Disability grants
• Charity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Ecas is a registered charity (No. SC014929) that relies on income from donations and fundraising to support its operations and service delivery.
2. Investment Income: Ecas is largely self-financed from income from its own investment portfolio, stated to be worth approximately £5 million, which provides operational funding independent of grants and donations.
3. Service Activity Fees: Ecas charges £2.30 per 2-hour activity session for members. New members can try an activity for free for two weeks. For eligible members, grants can help cover activity fees and transport costs.
4. Charitable Grants: Ecas receives grants from external funders including Scottish Government and corporate partners such as Aegon to fund specific programs including the Grants Fund, Befriending Service, and activity trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ecas is a registered Scottish charity that supports physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian through three main service lines: weekly activity groups (Art, Craft, Music, Swimming, Chair Yoga, Seated Tai Chi, Reading & Creative Writing, and Computing), a volunteer befriending service for companionship and reduced isolation, and a grants programme funding disability-related equipment and household needs. All services are delivered in-person at accessible venues and online, with sessions priced at £2.30 per 2-hour session and free trial periods available.

Product overview

Ecas is a registered charity providing a portfolio of support services for physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian, established over 100 years ago. The organization offers a unified program of weekly activity groups (Art, Craft, Music for Fun, Reading and Creative Writing, Swimming, Seated Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, and Computing), a Befriending Service for social connection, Ecas Grants for financial assistance with disability-related needs, and a Young People's Service (currently paused). Activities are delivered both in-person at accessible venues and online, with all materials provided, at a cost of £2.30 per 2-hour session with free trial periods available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Activity Groups A portfolio of weekly in-person and online activity groups — Art, Craft, Music for Fun, Reading and Creative Writing, Swimming, Seated Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, and Computing — for physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian, providing creative, social, and gentle physical activity opportunities at £2.30 per 2-hour session with a two-week free trial for new members.
• Befriending Service Volunteer-led befriending service matching isolated physically disabled adults in Edinburgh and Lothian with volunteer befrienders for regular companionship (typically 2 hours per week), including facilitated friendships and distance befriending options.
• Ecas Grants Grant fund providing financial assistance to physically disabled adults and children in Edinburgh and Lothian for items or services not accessible through welfare benefits, including household items, IT equipment, power-packs for wheelchairs, holidays, and transport costs.
• Young People's Service Partnership service for physically disabled people aged 18-30 to identify personal goals and develop independence, currently paused following a pandemic review.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% increase in lung function reported for COPD patient attending Chair Yoga
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AegoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Aegon provides funding for Ecas day trips and outings, including visits to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This partnership enables Ecas to offer trips for all activity groups, bringing members together from different groups and reducing isolation through shared experiences.
• Scottish Book TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Through the Live Literature scheme, the Scottish Book Trust brings reading and writing to communities by connecting Ecas Reading and Creative Writing Group with visiting authors such as Kate Foster and Angela Jackson, providing literary enrichment and creative writing workshops.
• National Galleries of ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024National Galleries of Scotland hosted a combined Art and Craft group visit for over 20 Ecas members, providing guided tours and educational experiences. The partnership creates cultural enrichment opportunities for disabled adults.
• Edinburgh PlayhousecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Ecas was named one of three Charity of the Year Partners at the Edinburgh Playhouse for 2022/2023. The partnership includes bucket collections during performances and raises awareness of Ecas's mission to promote equality and integration for physically disabled people.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/ecasedinburgh.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdJ-fzGzNmBJkQATP6O0q2w
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecasedinburgh
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecasedinburgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecas-scot

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ecas