LEx Scotland: A Journey of Digital Transformation

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and communication, small organisations and social enterprises often find themselves grappling with the challenges of going digital. While larger corporations boast digital marketing teams and developers, smaller entities must navigate these waters with fewer resources. For many, like LEx Scotland, a community interest company (CIC) born out of personal experience and a deep commitment to change, embracing digital tools has been transformative. Their journey—illustrated through their partnership with Breeze Digital and the Accelerate program—provides valuable lessons for organisations looking to demystify digital technology and leverage its potential for growth and community impact.

We recently spoke with Maddi Cassell, the founder of LEx Scotland, about their digital journey.

Maddi, can you tell us a bit about LEx Scotland and its mission?

The heart of everything we do is lived experience leadership or LEx leadership. We aim to increase and support lived experience leadership across different organisations, primarily in the third and public sectors. We build networks that foster collaboration; we work with organisations and public bodies through our consultancy services to help them co-create strategies, policies and learning and development programmes, always putting lived expertise at the centre. For us, ‘lived experience’ means much more than simply having a background in marginalised communities. It includes the real, often complex, personal experiences of individuals—whether that be poverty, disability, mental health struggles, or the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Lex Scotland was founded to harness these experiences and empower those who have faced marginalisation to become leaders in their own right.”

What were some of the digital challenges you faced before partnering with us?

When we launched LEx Scotland, things looked bleak. I am disabled and was dealing with PTSD. I had just lost my job. I wasn’t well enough to return to a conventional 9-to-5 office job, so I thought, ‘What can I do?’ I had a small redundancy settlement, and I decided it was time to pursue something I had dreamed of for a long time. Despite initial progress, things quickly became overwhelming. A key director had to step down, and we faced significant challenges, particularly in developing our digital presence. Our website was a mess—it was down for a month, and we had malware issues. As a startup, that’s critical time lost when building a name.

Your support was funded through the Accelerate programme. How did you come across the Accelerate program, and what role did it play in your journey?

I found out about Accelerate at the perfect time. It felt like my lifeline had arrived just when things were darkest. The programme aims to help organisations develop and launch revenue-generating ideas. It offered what we needed: personalised, expert advice on building and maintaining a digital presence.

Can you describe the support you received from our team?

Working closely with advisors like Margot from Community Enterprise and Marissa from Breeze Digital, we overcame some of the most pressing issues facing our fledgling organisation. Margot helped us completely rethink our marketing. She refined the language on our website, ensuring it was accessible to people unfamiliar with terms like ‘lived experience leadership.’ She also helped us understand where to focus our efforts, particularly since time was our biggest constraint. One of the most valuable lessons was that not all marketing channels are created equal. Margot showed us that our real strength was in conferences and personal connections, and we didn’t need to focus so heavily on social media.

How did we help you address the technical challenges with your website?

Marissa took on the daunting task of addressing our website issues. She offered me the choice to either have her handle all the fixes or to work alongside me so I could learn how to do it myself. We did a bit of both—she fixed the most urgent issues, but then she made instructional videos for me to learn how to manage the site myself. The empowerment I felt after learning to manage the WordPress-based site was a game changer. Before, I felt like I was being held to ransom by developers because I didn’t understand the technical side. Now, I have enough knowledge to manage updates and changes independently, and I can even push back if a developer suggests something unnecessary. That confidence has made all the difference.

What impact has the support had on LEx Scotland?

The impact goes far beyond simply solving immediate problems. The tools, knowledge, and confidence we gained helped us build a sustainable, flexible business model. The collaborative, inclusive approach the Accelerate team applied to the support has equipped us with the tools to manage our digital presence, saving time and money in the long run. For instance, the ability to update the website with new blog posts, project details, or content for funders has already paid dividends. I was able to add content that helped us with a recent funding application. Without that ability, we’d be waiting weeks for a developer to do it, which would delay everything.

Can you share some of this journey's financial and personal growth outcomes?

The financial impact is already evident, even just a few months in. It would have cost thousands if I had to pay for all Marissa's work. But beyond the immediate savings, the long-term benefits are enormous. The website is our window to the world—it’s how clients find us and is crucial for establishing our credibility. In addition to the direct economic impact, the digital empowerment I’ve gained has created a ripple effect in the organisation. I now feel more confident, which extends to how we present ourselves to potential clients. When working with marginalised communities, it’s essential that both the organisations that fund us and the people we serve see us as professional and competent.

What lessons can other organisations learn from your experience?

The journey of LEx Scotland offers a powerful case study on how small organisations can use digital tools to their advantage. The keys to success were personalised support, the willingness to learn, and the understanding that digital transformation is not one-size-fits-all. The Breeze Digital team offered us tailored advice that worked for our specific needs and goals. Digital literacy is not about learning everything; it’s about learning what matters to your organisation and focusing on that. The experience has allowed us to survive and thrive in a challenging environment. And as we continue to grow, the lessons we’ve learned about digital literacy will continue to serve as a foundation for our success.

What does the future hold for LEx Scotland?

We now have a clearer vision of our goals and how to achieve them. We’re using digital tools to work smarter, not harder, and that’s making all the difference.

The journey of LEx Scotland highlights a common challenge for many non-profits and social enterprises: the fear that going digital will be expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming. But with the right partnership, that fear can turn into empowerment.