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January 2022
SEN News
Scottish Govt’s consultation on becoming a Fair Work Nation came to an end in December. Given how significantly social enterprises contribute to the Govt’s Fair Work ambitions, SENScot facilitated a series of consultation sessions to inform our response on behalf of SEN members – thank you to members for your valuable contribution.
Key messages to emerge include: Fair Work should mean fair work for everyone – reaching and extending opportunities to more marginalised individuals; and there should be a flexible approach to Fair Work requirements ensuring they are accessible and proportionate for smaller organisations to enable them to further embrace fairness, flexibility and inclusivity.
There are gaps in some social enterprises’ understanding and, in their ability and capacity to fully implement Fair Work practices, with practical resource and support required. However, as acknowledged in the latest SE Action Plan which says, ‘social enterprises are leading the way’, so have the knowledge, skills and expertise to act as ‘Fair Work Champions’ to increase understanding of Fair Work across sectors. Members also called for a commitment to longer term, flexible (core) funding alongside ensuring procurement systems achieve a collaborative rather than competitive approach to ensure the success of a Fair Work Nation.
All SEN Session: Fair Work in Practice - Wednesday 23rd February (10.30am) - organised by SENScot and SCVO - to learn about and share Fair Work practices that social enterprises and the wider third sector have implemented within their organisation. Speakers will talk us through the Fair Work practices they have embraced. Scottish Govt will also provide an update on the Fair Work Nation consultation, and the upcoming refresh of the Fair Work Action Plan. We hope that you will join us and contribute to the discussions through sharing elements of Fair Work that you have adopted
Edinburgh Social Enterprise have an exciting opportunity to join their Management Committee (Board). Find out more by contacting Claire. In other ESE news, you are welcome to attend their AGM in person or online on Thursday 27 January at 4pm to find out about their impact and support in 2021 and plans for 2022
Members News
Impact Arts have moved! Their new address is in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre. They’ve also produced their Annual Report 20/21 telling the story of how they’ve continued to support people and communities to realise their potential
Congratulations to Move On for winning SURF’s Youth Employability award recently and to the other two employability SEN members – The Larder and Eat Sleep Ride CIC. Also check out Eat Sleep Ride’s winter/year end newsletter to see what they’ve been up to
The Larder’s Christmas Campaign helped to cook and deliver 450, three-course, Christmas dinners to people experiencing food insecurity, and with support from generous donors and corporate partners, they were able to support 496 people. Congratulations also as in other Larder news, they are Edinburgh Airport’s corporate charity of the year in 2022 and here’s the latest news from The Larder Bakery
Great article to check out - Shetland Soap Company reveals how disabled community members ‘blossom’ through their employment opportunities. And news on COPE’s new CEO here
Edinburgh Remakery opens again today at its new premises, the Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh, a ‘unique shopping experience at Edinburgh’s waterfront’. Be sure to drop by if you can!
Fresh Start are back open for donations and are in urgent need of kettles, toasters and curtains to make their starter packs to support people and families moving into a new tenancy after experiencing homelessness. Donation information can be found here.
The Ecology Centre brings people and the natural environment together for the benefit of both. Their award winning education programme has always been at the heart of The Ecology Centre. See details of the new 2022 programme.
Great to see this video from Spruce Carpets, about the meaningful work it has been doing to deliver a sustainable legacy for COP26, through reusing and delivering much of the flooring and carpets used at the venues to homes in need throughout Scotland.
Maryhill Burgh Halls is currently looking to recruit a Communications Co-ordinator (p/t) to raise the profile and awareness of the Trust and its community in the full range of media, establishing and protecting a prominent media profile for the organisation. Closing date is 31st January 2022.
Employability News
Third sector employers in Fife, Highland or South Lanarkshire - are you looking to create a new job or paid placement(s) in your organisation between now and March? SCVO could fund all or part of the wage costs for up to 12 months, incl support with recruitment process and training opportunities. SCVO is working alongside Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) and Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) to offer these initiatives, through the Community Renewal Fund, No One Left Behind and the Young Person’s Guarantee. Find out more by contacting communityjobsscotland@scvo.scot (Eligibility criteria, funding amounts and job lengths vary between local authority areas).
Date for Diary - planned webinar on Wednesday 26th Jan at 4.00pm on the National Commissioning Framework. As part of No One Left Behind, this Framework is being developed by Scotland Excel, for possible use by Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities . A prior information notice (PIN) regarding the framework has previously been posted on the Public Contracts Scotland website. No details released yet but you may wish to keep this slot free in your calendars and further information should come via PCS.
Young Person's Guarantee - Employment & Education Landscape: current evidence review - The evidence paper provides an overview of the current evidence on the employment and education landscape for young people aged 16 to 24 in Scotland, with equalities and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) breakdowns provided where possible.
The Employability Service Standards and Employability Customer Charter have now been published. The Standards is a living document, to be updated and improved based on feedback received from partners working with them and delivering services in local areas. The Charter has been co-designed with users of employability services and agreed by partners across the Public, Third and Private sectors. A Lived Experience Panel was established to create this document, which brought together users from groups likely to experience barriers to employment, including disabled people, ethnic minority groups and care experienced people. In response to user feedback, an Easy Read version of the Charter with partners, can be accessed here
HMRC have produced Unpaid and Expenses Only Work webinar covering the risks surrounding unpaid work, what is a ‘worker’ for minimum wage purposes, interns, volunteers and unpaid work trials. A useful resource which gets to the heart of a lot of issues organisations may face when it comes to the NMW.
Newly introduced Princes Trust Personal Development 12 week programme will soon be available at Glasgow Clyde College, Cardonald Campus to go with their programmes at Langside and Anniesland Campuses. First programme runs 31st Jan, second from 25th April – more here
Scotland’s Devolved Employment Services: Statistical Summary - The publication presents statistics for Fair Start Scotland (FSS) from April 2018 to September 2021 and experimental statistics on the No One Left Behind strategic approach to employability delivery, reporting on those receiving support from April 2019 to June 2021.
Funding/Finance
Workplace Equality Fund (WEF) - Third sector organisations – including registered charities – that are based in Scotland are also eligible to apply. To be considered, these organisations must partner with another organisation. The third sector organisation can partner with a private or public organisation and serve as the equality-related expert with respect to the identified priority group. Applications accepted until 11th April.
#ShiftThePower Scotland Comic Relief Fund – up to £20K available to support grassroots organisations with an income of £250K or less to make meaningful change in their communities under one of two strategic themes: Children Survive and Thrive; and Mental Health Matters. Deadline - 12pm on 8th March
Build It (Firstport): Are you a social entrepreneur with a tried and tested idea? Do you want to turn it into your full time job? Build It provides up to £25,000 towards living costs to support you to take the next step on your journey. Next deadline – 27th Jan.
Winter Support Small Grants Fund - for charities and community groups to pass funds onto families and individuals on low incomes to support them with what they need over the winter period, including vouchers or money for food, fuel, household items. Minimum grant of £500 or a maximum of £5,000. The deadline 12noon on Thursday 27 January 2022.
Rosa’s Rise Fund provides organisational development grants of up to £40,000 to Black and minoritised-led women’s and girls’ organisations in the UK. The deadline has been extended to 31st January 2022.
Scottish EDGE - competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth entrepreneurial talent. It consists of three competition categories: Scottish EDGE, Young EDGE and Wild Card EDGE, and five special awards within the Scottish EDGE category including social enterprise. Virtual application workshop on 25th Jan here. Closes 2pm, 15th February
Perth & Kinross - Community Investment Fund – This fund is designed to support local projects which tackles local issues and inequalities and improves quality of life in communities across Perth and Kinross. Deadline – 18th Feb
The Agnes Hunter Trust distributes £3000 grants to registered charities in Scotland that deliver health and social welfare projects. To be eligible charities must support those with learning disabilities, mental health issues, cancer, cerebral palsy, autism, visual or physical impairments. Or assist in the education and training of disadvantaged people. Deadline 24th Feb.
The Weavers' Company – Small, registered charities can apply for grants of up to £15,000 for projects working with young offenders, ex-offenders, as well as other disadvantaged young people. Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere. Deadline – 17th March
The Volant Charitable Trust’s Grants programme - supports projects that help alleviate social deprivation, particularly amongst women, children and young people at risk. Registered charities, community interest companies, community organisations and social enterprises can apply for up to £15,000 per year for up to three years to support work that will make a lasting difference for women and children affected by hardship or disadvantage. Initial enquiry deadline – Noon, 29th April
Thomas Wall Trust - Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to support projects that equip people (18 or older in order) from disadvantaged groups with critical life skills necessary for employment. Priority will be given to projects that target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups facing major hurdles to employment, especially; women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers. Deadline – 2nd May
ABZ Propeller Fund - Aberdeen International Airport welcomes applications from charities and community groups/organisations with links to education, sustainability, and economic regeneration, and with a focus on young people, the environment or that make a tangible and real difference to their local communities.
Support/Resources
SCVO Free HR & Employment Support – free support and guidance to all Third Sector organisations. Queries can range from policy/contract templates to reducing jobs within an organisation. Contact via email hremployment@scvo.scot or through the online webform and SCVO will triage and process the query, either answering via email, or invite you to a 1-2-1 phone or video call of up to 30 minutes to discuss further. They can also refer SCVO members to their pro bono legal advice service - however you do not have to be a SCVO member to access the HR & Employment support service
Fine tune your social enterprise for start-ups - Day-long online event on 1st Feb from Firstport for social entrepreneurs that have the spark of an idea, or are already up and running. Covering key enterprise-appropriate topics within the social theme, it also offers a brilliant way to meet other social entrepreneurs, share ideas and experiences, and explore potential business opportunities.
Latest Just Enterprise business skills workshop programme is here
Upcoming sessions from Social Enterprise Scotland here
Scottish Enterprise are hosting a number of free online events and workshops including:
Fair Work workshop - Security – How to provide secure and fair working conditions to retain and motivate staff (Wed 2nd Feb, 9.30am – 12pm)
Fair Work workshop - Opportunity – Explore the benefits of building a diverse and flexible workforce and practical ways to achieve this (Thurs 17th Feb, 9.30am – 12pm)
Fair Work workshop - Effective Voice – Explore the different tools and routes that can be used to encourage employee communication and the benefits of using these (Thurs 3rd March, 9.30am – 12pm)
Fair Work workshop - Respect & Fulfilment - Learn how to recognise and create a culture of respect within your business (Wed 23rd March, 9.30am – 12pm)
Accelerate from the EY Foundation is a 12-month programme for social entrepreneurs either running a social enterprise that supports young people or for social entrepreneurs aged 18-30, with tailored workshops and webinars, personalised business coaching, and networking events with fellow Accelerate members, business experts and professionals from the EY network and beyond.
Information/News
The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) – dates have been released for ‘Meet the Buyers’ events 2022:
Meet the Buyer South Event – the 1st South of Scotland event – Tues 5th April, 10am – 4pm
Annual Meet the Buyer Event – Wed 15th June, 10am – 4pm
Meet the Buyer North Event – Wed 7th Sept, 10am – 4pm
Close the Gap Blog: The pandemic hasn’t drastically changed the flexible working landscape, we still need regulatory and cultural change
The Gathering returns - on 15 and 16 June 2022 at the SEC in Glasgow. Over two days, amazing people from the voluntary sector and beyond come together to enjoy a packed programme of over 70 workshops, seminars, and training sessions
Fair Work Convention’s new webpage ‘Fair Work Across Scotland’ has links to: Scottish Government policy, support in the workplace, strategies relating to fair work and the Fair Work Convention’s wider impact which points to organisations and partners who champion fair work in Scotland.
Not just any job, good jobs! Youth voices from across the UK | Institute of Employment Studies
Takes a youth-centred approach to explore young people’s perspectives on what good quality work and support mean to them and the impact of the pandemic on their perceptions and experiences of work.
Jobs that work: Paving the way for good jobs through participatory co-design | Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A set of policy solutions focused on secure work, flexible work and fair enforcement of employment rights, for Government to deliver through an Employment Bill - based on a 2-year participatory co-design project with people who have direct experience of poor quality work.
Fast forward. Where next for the labour market? | Learning and Work Institute
The pandemic saw profound changes to the way we live and work and it is still unclear to what extent the economy and life will return to pre-pandemic patterns, or whether the pandemic has led to a permanent step change in longstanding structural shifts. This report identifies policy priorities to ensure we build an inclusive recovery and renewal of our labour market, economy and society.
Tenders
Ranked Framework East Renfrewshire Council Employability Support Services Five Stage Pipeline Approach - Deadline of 15/02/2022
PIN: Employability Grants Programme - East Lothian Council - An information session is being held at 10am on Friday 28th Jan via Teams. Opens Mon 31st Jan, with a deadline of Fri 25th Feb
