Dear ,

Scottish Govt’s decision to cease funding SENScot means that it appears inevitable the organisation will have to close its doors by the end of June 2022 – which is profoundly sad for all concerned. The board of SENScot has now begun to engage with Social Enterprise Scotland and other sector partners to help contribute to the shaping of the new single intermediary and – for our part – try and ensure that as many SENs and their members as possible can have an opportunity to have their voices heard on how they wish to interact and/or engage with the new body. To this end, SENScot, this week, circulated a survey to all members.

We believe this is important given the many concerns raised about the future support and representation for grassroots social enterprises, especially rural groups, social firms and community-led organisations in deprived urban communities. In doing so, we want to try and do what we can to ensure that the new body is genuinely representative of the sector; that it is independent; and that it can become a credible and legitimate voice for social enterprise in Scotland. The response to date has been very encouraging and we will do our best to represent these views in the ongoing discussions. A thank you to all those who have already completed the survey.

With regard to internal matters, SENScot, regrettably, has now issued all staff with ‘at-risk of redundancy’ letters and the associated consultation process is underway. In addition, both Board and staff are also focusing on planning the wind-down of the charity over the coming months. As we stated in earlier newsletters, we will continue to try and keep people informed of developments over the coming weeks.

As readers will be aware, SENScot’s time on the social enterprise landscape is likely to come to an end in the coming months as a result of the recent decision by Scottish Govt to cease funding SENScot. SENScot’s work began in 1999 – and for those with an interest - The SENScot Story provides a timeline, charting significant milestones and developments across the Scottish SE community from 1999 up until 2020.

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This week has seen SENScot hosting Community-Led Tourism Week to coincide with Scottish Tourism Month. Starting on Monday, the five day programme has included a series of eleven online conversations on the opportunities and barriers being faced by local communities across Scotland - in the company of other communities as well as industry representatives and policy makers. With over 250 participants so far, this twitter page gives a flavour of what’s been happening during the week. Tomorrow will see a final session (12 noon) being chaired by Marc Crothall from the Scottish Tourism Alliance – which will include feeding back on the most important points raised during the week – as well as a good opportunity to help shape what happens next in Scottish Tourism.

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Recent Newsletters have referenced Scottish Govt’s support for SCCAN for the development of a network of Community Climate Action Hubs across the country. Latest information on the Hubs and how they will operate is being shared via a series of regional meetings  – taking place throughout March and into early April. The Hubs are intended to bring a more strategic regional approach in offering effective support to communities in making the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living - and also, of course, to facilitate better networking. As part of this initiative, SCCAN is now looking to recruit ten new Climate Action Network Coordinators. Their role will include consolidating and expanding the work of existing community climate action networks and helping create new regional networks, which can support the emergence of the regional community climate action hubs. See links for more details.

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An updated Manifesto for Rural and Island Scotland was launched this week by Scottish Rural Action. The Manifesto has sprung from the work of the Scottish Rural Parliament. First held in Oban in 2014, the inaugural Rural Parliament attracted 400 attendees. Three further Rural Parliaments were held in 2016, 2018 and, most recently, in 2021.

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Earlier this month, the SE Rural Hub hosted a session, titled ‘Communities leading collectively’, as part of Collective Leadership for Scotland’s Illuminating Leadership Festival, The SE Rural Hub session showcased the findings from its earlier research into collective leadership – from a community-led perspective. This Summary covers their findings.

Outside of Scottish Govt, The Robertson Trust has been one of the main supporters and funders for Scotland’s social enterprise community – and was also one of Senscot’s earliest funders back in 2002. The Trust, Scotland’s largest, independent, grant-making body, is now celebrating its 60^th anniversary and to commemorate this milestone, it has produced this short film and booklet in recognition of their achievements to date:

Last week, we highlighted the 20^th anniversary of the community buy-out of the Isle of Gigha. This Scottish Housing News Podcast looks at the community’s successes, highlights the transformation of the island’s homes and discusses the parallels between community enterprises and community-based housing associations:

Couple of ‘reminders’ for Glasgow-based social enterprises. Firstly, Glasgow SEN is conducting this Survey amongst members on volunteering - to assess the role, value and scale of volunteering across the city. The Survey findings will help inform and contribute to the development of a new Volunteering Strategy for Glasgow. Also, the Nature Accelerator Programme is now inviting applications.  The Nature Accelerator is a 6 month programme for early-stage nature-based ideas and enterprises that could create positive environmental, social, or economic change in Glasgow. Closing date of Friday, 15th April:

Meanwhile, over in the east, a new Portal, ESES Communities, has gone ‘live’ – as part of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal. The Portal has been set up to allow charities, social enterprises and local communities to request Community Benefits via the money being spent via the City Deal. The City Deal covers six local authority areas covering Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Scottish Borders:

InspirAlba is currently looking to recruit a Digital Engagement and Outreach Officer. The role will involve developing and supporting InspirAlba’ s outreach work, digital content and events - and engaging social enterprises across Rural Scotland to support information sharing, collaboration, shared learning, developing skills and building capacity: 

With various SEN meetings scheduled over the coming weeks, we’ll be listing core details – dates, times, guest speakers etc – to keep people up to date with what’s on and when

Thursday, 31^st March 2022 (10.30am) – A SEN Session for SE Counselling Service Providers. With SEN members reporting a continuing increase in demand for counselling services, this session will provide another opportunity for social enterprises to come together to share their thoughts on what opportunities and challenges this is currently posing and how they are responding. For more info’, email mary@senscot.net:

Thursday, 31^st March 2022 (3.30pm) - The Plunkett Foundation, with funding from Scottish Govt, aims to create a network of community pub groups in Scotland - to enable peer to peer learning and provide groups with free bespoke business advice and training. Working with their partners, Co-operative Development Scotland and Community Shares Scotland, they are running a series of online networking sessions and training events for groups at all stages of their journey from across Scotland.  and Thursday, 31^st March:

Tuesday 5^th April 2022 (10.30am) - Employability SEN Meeting –- An informal session, connect with other social enterprises who have an employability focus, discuss common issues, and relevant policy areas/developments and share your successes.  We’re also keen to hear how you are (or are not) engaging with No One Left Behind and your Local Authority.  Email Jayne to register

Thursday, 7^th April 2022 (2pm) - Health SEN Meeting - an informal session to connect with other social enterprises who have a health & wellbeing focus, discuss common issues, and relevant policy areas/developments and share your successes. See link to register: