March 2022

Hi 

There has been much sadness and disappointment at SENScot since learning we were not successful in our bid to Scottish Government to form the Single Enhanced Intermediary for Social Enterprise. Consequently, as of June 2022, we will no longer be funded. See our Board statement. 

Thank you for all the messages of support, such heart-warming words have fair brightened up a difficult couple of weeks. 

We will still be open for business until the end of June, so please get in touch if I can help at all. 

In the meantime, our board is seeking to work with Social Enterprise Scotland to help shape the new single body. So we would value you taking a few minutes to complete this short survey, this will allow us to best represent your interests in these discussions. Thank you to those who have already completed the survey. 

Worth a read through is The Senscot Story, charting a timeline of the organisation’s activities from its founding in 1999. It’s an impressive story that I’m proud to have been a part of during the past seven years. 

All the best, 

Mary 

SEN Sessions and Community Learning Exchanges

SEN Session for Social Enterprise Counselling Service Providers (Thu 31st Mar, 10.30- 12pm via Zoom) 
With SEN members reporting a continuing increase in demand for counselling services, we are providing another opportunity for social enterprise active in this area to come together to share their thoughts on what opportunities and challenges this is currently posing and how they are responding to this. For more information email mary@senscot.net.  Register here.  

Health SEN Meeting (Thu 7th Apr, 2-3.30pm via Zoom)  
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.  This session will also provide an opportunity to discuss the future of the Health SEN. Register here.   

Community Learning Exchange with Cranhill Development Trust (Wed 18th May)  
Cranhill Development Trust will be hosting an in-person CLE, providing an opportunity for participants to learn about the development of their community shop and garden and recently opened Post Office.  We expect this to be a popular visit, so get in touch soon to register your interest as places will be limited. Register interest with mary@senscot.net. 

Community Tourism Sessions this week – there are still some places available! 

- Community-led tourism: Girvan and Brechin pilot showcase (tonight at 6.30pm) Book here 

- Tourism leadership showcase (Thu 24th March)  Book here 

- Collaboration for tourism (Thu 24th March)  Book here 

- Outlook 2030- delivering for Scotland’s communities  (Fri 25th March) Book here 

Other Networking Opportunities  
 

Glasgow Community Food Network Networking Event (Thu 31st March, 11am-3pm)  
This event is taking place at Kinning Park Complex, Glasgow and is a free networking event for Glasgow Community Food Network’s members and non-member community, featuring speakers and breakout discussions. More info and booking details here. 

Community Food Health Scotland March bulletin 
If you’re not already signed up, check out this great resource for lots of community food & health activity and networking opportunities across Scotland. 

Networking event for community pub groups (Thu 31st March) 
Plunkett supports all types of community business but have recently received funding from Scottish Government 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.  Book your place. 

Solutions: helping people get the care they need and taking pressure off health and social care 
Outside the Box, as part of their ongoing work with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, are facilitating a series of digital drop-in sessions to continue the conversation on the importance of community solutions in relation to social care and wellbeing. The final session takes place on Monday 4 April (2 – 3pm) via Zoom and you can book your place here.  The session will provide an opportunity for people in community sector to raise issues, ask for information and to hear from other people working with similar situations and challenges. More info here.   Outside the Box are also gathering examples of where the community and HSCP services are working together and having good outcomes for people, so more places can learn from their experience. If you have examples you want to share, or know about, please get in touch with anne@otbds.org or freya@otbds.org.  

VHS Annual Conference 2022 (Save the date – Wednesday 22nd October) 
This event will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow with speakers, interactive discussions, exhibitors and their popular poster competition. More info. 

Member News 
 

West Lothian Well-being 
West Lothian Social Enterprise Network (WLSEN) has launched a new partnership project to improve mental health and wellbeing in West Lothian. The West Lothian Well-being project connects adults, experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, with local partners that can offer them support and advice.  This new signposting service is person-centred. It will identify an individual’s needs and, through discussion, find a pathway that can help build self-confidence and personal coping strategies. Well done to WLSEN and the social enterprises involved!

Weekday Wow Factor celebrate 5th Birthday  
It was great to join Weekday Wow Factor at their 5th birthday party earlier this month and to finally attend one of their daytime discos. Learn more about this amazing social enterprise in our previous Friday Feature.  

The Lennox Partnership – office furniture available 
“We’ll soon be moving from our ground floor office space at Carus House to a smaller space in the same building.  Although we’re trying to maximise the amount of furniture we can take with us, it’s clear we’re going to have to part with quite a bit of our current stock. I’ve added a few pictures below of some of the larger items we have which will not be needed when we move.  We’re hoping they may be of interest to other organisations or charities.  The furniture is in good/excellent condition and all the cabinets are lockable too. If you are interested, please drop us an email or arrange a visit to our Clydebank office if that’s preferable.  We wouldn’t be able to help with delivery unfortunately.” 

Won Connect launch two brand new websites 
“Our learning Platform: Learn new subjects online. Anytime. Anywhere. With no limits. Begin your digital journey with our online video courses, ebooks & self-study pdf courses. We have something big for you if you want to level up. https://shop.it-computer-learning.online/ 
Our Digital Platform: We Create Great Digital Experiences For Brands Like You 
We are a team of creative and technical digital problem solvers who use digital technology to solve your business problems and shape your online presence. https://shop.connectdesign.agency/” 

Other News 
 

GCU report to look at community projects impact on health 
Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University have been awarded £1.5m to undertake a study of the public health benefits provided by community-led organisations and activities. The study will see organisations across the UK participate in research exploring the importance of mutual aid provision in COVID recovery and anticipation of future crises. John Cassidy, chairman of Scottish Communities for Health & Wellbeing said the country had an “amazing resource” of knowledge and expertise that was not being used to its full capacity because it is continually under threat. More info. 

Lived experience of Covid-19 for marginalised communities 
Voluntary Health Scotland has published a report on the lived experience of Covid-19 for marginalised communities. The partnership comprises third sector, academic, public health and health protection colleagues and is chaired by Public Health Scotland.  Summary and Full Reports available here. 

The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK 
The Mental Health Foundation has released a new report with the London School of Economics and Political Science, ‘The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK’, which provides evidence from the UK and around the world that proves prevention interventions work. Poor mental health costs the UK a staggering £118 billion per year but much of this is preventable. Read more. 

Tenders & Funding Opportunities
 

Go to Partnership for Procurement (P4P) and Public Contract Scotland to check current and forthcoming tender opportunities. Some relevant examples below:     

The City of Edinburgh Council - Home Based Care Re-design and Associated Services – Flexible Purchasing System. (Closing date: 11am, 25/4/22) 

Tayside Procurement Consortium - Flexible Framework Refresh - Counselling in Schools (Closing date: 12pm, 25/4/22) 

Some current relevant funding opportunities are listed below, but for fuller listing go to SCVO-funding.  

 Investing in Communities Fund application questions are now available.  The fund is not open until April 2022, but organisations can have a look and start to prepare their proposals and prepare to answer to key questions before it opens.  It is a three-year fund, delivered over the period 01.04.23 to 31.03.26.  The ICF is a revenue fund, with availability of a small amount of capital funding of up to £20,000 per application for small scale capital costs, where this is directly linked to the revenue project, with activity to start as soon as possible after the 01.04.23, and no later than 30.09.23.  

People’s Postcode Trust – is offering unrestricted funding for the first time (either up to £2500 or £25K) under their themes:  Improving mental wellbeing; Enabling community participation in the arts; Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty; Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality; Improving biodiversity & green spaces; Enabling participation in physical activity; Responding to the climate emergency & promoting sustainability; and Increasing community access to outdoor space.  Competition is expected to be high, so applicants have to be ready to apply when the next round opens on the 1st of April – only a certain number of applications are accepted each round (the last round was closed by noon), so applicants have to act quickly on the day.  

SportScotland: Sports Facilities Fund - up to £100,000 are available for sports clubs, community organisations and social enterprises to provide or upgrade community sports facilities. Priority for activities that will encourage people from under-represented groups into sport and physical activity. Apply by 1 April 

 Firstport’s Build It - social entrepreneurs can apply for up to £25,000 of funding towards living costs, so they can turn their tried and tested idea into a full-time job, with up to £20K available to fund a single salary and up to a further £5,000 for additional essential costs. Typically, successful Build It applicants have been up and running for around one year and can demonstrate a strong track record of both income generation and measurable social impact. Deadline – noon, 7th April 
 
Supporting Rural Communities - grants of up to £25K over two years, for projects that will create a long-term difference in rural communities across the UK. Applicants must be from properly constituted, not for profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000 with applications particularly welcome from groups and organisations with projects in hamlets, villages, and small market towns. Deadline – midday, 12th April