First Minister John Swinney has officially opened the new Kanzen for Life Centre in Stobswell, Dundee.
The new Centre marks a major milestone for Kanzen for Life, creating a permanent home for its work with more than 2,000 people every week and significantly increasing its capacity to support people and communities across Dundee and beyond.
Former industrial premises have been transformed into a new community facility for activity, wellbeing, learning and development.
The project represents a £1,000,000 investment in capital and jobs. It has been made possible through charitable funding, Kanzen’s own income, partnership working and significant pro bono support.
The Centre includes dedicated spaces for activity, learning, wellbeing, meetings, leadership development and community programmes, all delivered through Kanzen’s LifeAbility model to help people build skills for life, confidence, resilience, relationships and opportunities to progress.
Mr Swinney said: “The transformation of this building into a vibrant community hub will benefit people across Dundee for years to come. Kanzen for Life stands as an inspiration not only for the city, but for communities across Scotland, demonstrating how social enterprises can help people gain skills, build confidence and access opportunities in employment, education and volunteering.
“By reinvesting profits into social and environmental causes, Scotland’s growing social enterprise sector supports tens of thousands of jobs, generates billions of pounds for the economy and helps communities thrive. That is why the Scottish Government is continuing to support the sector with more than £6 million in 2026-27.”
The opening was an opportunity to recognise the Kanzen team, volunteers, families, funders, businesses and partners who have helped make the new Centre possible.
Roy O’Kane, Chief Officer of Kanzen for Life, said: “The support we have had so far to bring our first Centre to life has been nothing short of remarkable and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has given their time or their money to help make this happen.
“Our new premises will help us expand our offering in the community and reach more people with our programmes. This is done by helping people develop skills for life, confidence, resilience, relationships and opportunities to progress.”
The Centre is based in Stobswell, an area which experiences significant challenges around poverty, health inequality, inactivity and opportunity.
Kanzen for Life’s purpose is simple: to build better lives and empower communities.
Roy added: “At the heart of Kanzen for Life is a belief that everyone deserves the chance to realise their potential. Through our LifeAbility model, we help people develop the skills, connections and belief they need to build better lives.”
“We are rooted in our local communities and we are proud to be a social enterprise. Generating our own income makes us stronger and more sustainable. It allows us to create jobs, develop people and reinvest money back into our work. Every pound we generate is another pound we can invest in changing lives.”
The new Centre has only been possible because of the people and organisations that have supported it. Charitable funders have made significant investments and businesses and professionals have provided expertise and pro bono support.
Kanzen started in Dundee in 2009 as a community martial arts club. Over time, the organisation grew beyond martial arts into wider physical activity, wellbeing, education, leadership and community development.
In late 2024, it became Kanzen for Life to better reflect the work the organisation does each week across Tayside. This includes children and young people, families, adults, older people, volunteers and community leaders.
Kanzen for Life
Kanzen for Life is an award-winning social enterprise charity committed to building better lives and empowering communities.
