Dear ,

As reported last week, the SENScot board and staff are continuing to engage with Scottish Govt and Social Enterprise Scotland (SES) with regard to the setting up of the Single Intermediary as of July 2022.

Wider discussions with representatives of local SENs and TSIs are also continuing. In addition, the local SENs and TSIs are, independently, exploring what the nature of their future relationship with the Single Intermediary will look like – with particular reference to representation and governance. SES has indicated that, with Scottish Govt, it will be setting up a Transition Group – at which both the SENs and SENScot anticipate some level of representation.

Thematic SEN meetings are also being arranged during May – at which SENScot will be inviting outside speakers to explore with members the opportunities and practical support that will be available post July. The Health and Community Food SEN meeting takes place on Tuesday, 24^th May at 2pm; and the Employability SEN is taking place on Thursday, 26^th May at 1pm. (See Dates for your Diary – below). Further details on these and other thematic SEN meetings will be available over the coming weeks.

SENScot will be meeting with the constituted SENs next week, as well as with our wider membership in the weeks ahead. Subsequent to these meetings, a General Meeting (EGM) is being scheduled for early/mid-May, where the members will have the final say on SENScot’s future.

As always, if there are any significant developments in the week ahead, we will share them via this newsletter.

The Senscot Story provides a timeline, charting significant milestones and developments across the Scottish SE community over the couple of decades.

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Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) began 11 years ago – with two primary aims: to provide positive destinations for young people furthest from the labour market; and to create jobs across Scotland’s third sector. During this time, CJS has delivered over 10,000 jobs through over 200 participating third sector organisations (including SENScot). Last autumn, Scottish Govt announced that CJS, in its current format, would be coming to an end, with funding being directed instead to local authorities, who will now have responsibility for job creation within the third sector at a local level. SCVO, who managed the programme, has produced this Evaluation Report

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One of the most significant impacts of Brexit for Scotland’s third sector and the communities which they serve, has been the withdrawal of access to EU Funding – which had bolstered so much of their work over several decades. To replace these funds, the UK Govt has set up the Shared Prosperity Fund and, last week, announced that Scotland would be receiving £32m for 2022/23 – around £150m less than the £180m estimated as being an appropriate replacement for EU Funds. This article in The Orkney News gives an insight into its impact at a local level.

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A couple of times every year, this bulletin picks up the odd article from the Stanford Social Innovation Review, which may be of interest to readers. This week’s Review has an article that puts forward an argument that ‘Protest Movements Could Be More Effective Than the Best Charities’. The article cites a number of examples of social movements over the decades and, in spite of being more or less ignored by funders, argues they have been as, if not more, effective in bringing about positive social change than some of our major charities – and explores why this might be the case. It’s maybe not be for everyone – but, if you have the time (and interest), it's worth a read.

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In 2020, Alice Earley, a Glasgow University PhD student, completed a thesis on ‘Community enterprises, community assets and processes of urban regeneration and gentrification’. The thesis, taking examples from both Scotland and England, sought to address the long-standing debate regarding if, and how, regeneration can be achieved to benefit existing residents, while limiting the risks associated with gentrification. Alice is now seeking to develop this work – particularly in view of the changing political and policy context in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the impact they may have had. She is inviting community enterprises, that either own or manage assets, to participate in the following survey.

This newsletter, over the last year or so, has regularly promoted the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative – as a means of encouraging people in local communities to spend, as often as possible, locally and, in doing so, supporting their local economy. This Press and Journal article highlight the benefits of the Gift Card to one particular local business in Lewis – and also how it helping to ‘power up the islands’ economy’.

Scottish Community Alliance’s Community Learning Exchange Programme has proved a great success in helping to build levels of  mutual support across the sector – both by encouraging communities to support one another and by supporting our national networks and intermediaries to collaborate and to share resources to best effect. The Programme continues to welcome in applications for the year ahead – through to March 2023. See Guidance Notes for Applicants. Also, below, see details on two up-and-coming CLEs:

A reminder for readers that the Scottish Food Coalition (SFC) has organised a Good Food Nation Day of Action  next Tuesday, 26^th April 2022 (10am-3pm) at the Scottish Parliament. With the Good Food Nation Bill moving closer to becoming law, the event can provide an important opportunity for frontline voices to be heard and to support a final push towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system in Scotland. SCF sees this as being more than just tackling food insecurity – and believe that the Bill also provides an opportunity to address issues regarding health, environmental sustainability, fair trade and workers’ rights. If you’d be interested in participating, see link above for more details. Also, see twitter feed #SFCDayofAction.

Scottish Learning Disability Week is about awareness raising of learning disabilities – and takes place in May every year.  Each year has a different theme that is important to the lives of people with a learning disability – and his year’s theme is, ‘We all have human rights’. The week runs from 2^nd-8^th May. See this link to get involved and to follow the different events and activities taking place across the country:

On the back of the recent appointment of their new CEO, Pauline Smith, DTA Scotland is also now looking to recruit a Membership and Engagement Officer (Maternity Cover). The role will involve providing advice and information to early-stage development trusts, contribute to the development of resources and communications for established DTA Scotland members, and coordinate a programme of in-person and online networking and learning events. Closing date is Monday, 16^th May 2022:

Thursday, 5^th May 2022 (10.30am -2pm) – The Plunkett Foundation is hosting a Free Networking Event for Scottish community pub groups at all stages - for attendance either in-person or online. The event will allow participants the opportunity to meet other community pub groups, share ideas, network and learn about the journey of the Black Bull in Gartmore - purchased by the local community in 2019 and today is at the heart of village life. See links for more details:

Wednesday, 18^th May 2022 (10am-3pm) – Cranhill Development Trust is hosting a Community Learning Exchange - providing an opportunity to hear about their range of community-based support services and activities. In addition, people attending this ‘in person’ event will also learn about more recent developments including the community shop, garden and post office. See link for details and to sign up:

Tuesday, 24^th May 2022 (2pm) - Health & Community Food SENs session – looking at opportunities and support for members post July 2022. Speakers, so far, will include Community Food Health Scotland / Public Health Scotland, SCHW, CHEX, Outside the Box Development. Contact mary@senscot.net to book your place:

Thursday, 26^th May 2022 (11am – 4pm) – Eat Sleep Ride CIC is hosting a Community Learning Exchange, titled Creating Conversations for a Diverse and Inclusive Community, See links for more info and to book you place:

Thursday, May 26^th 2022 (1pm) - Employability SEN Session:  Opportunities and Support: Join us at our final Employability SEN session to look at the opportunities and support available for Employability SEN members specifically in relation to employability.  We will have a range of speakers who will outline their role in employability and the support they can offer.  There will be time for questions and for members to highlight the support they require going forward.  We will also be using the session to celebrate and reflect on the impact of our wonderful Employability SEN members. To book your place, email jayne@senscot.net: