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February 2022
SEN News
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.
*** NEW *** SEN Session: Social Enterprise: Sustainably tackling poverty through employability – Wednesday 16th March (10.30-noon)
Poverty is a growing problem, with around 1 in 5 people in Scotland living in relative poverty. Although there is no single solution, fair employment is seen as one of the most effective ways of alleviating poverty - and this includes supporting the employability of people furthest from the labour market. This session will hear from speakers from The Poverty Alliance who will outline the overall context and policy landscape of poverty in Scotland; Joseph Rowntree Foundation will examine research relating to poverty through an employability lens; and social enterprise, FARE Scotland, will demonstrate how they create pathways into employment, providing industry-led training and work experience for people who experience poverty. With time for Q&A and discussion on the role of social enterprises in tackling poverty, with a
specific focus on employment and employability.
*** NEW *** Virtual Community Learning Exchange with EnvironMentalHealth CIC - Wed 9 Mar, 1-4pm
This community learning exchange will provide participants with insight on how community focused Mental Health First Aid can support a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing mental health issues within their local community. With the Covid19 pandemic having a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Scotland’s communities, this exchange offers an important resource for community based social enterprises to increase their collaborations and empower individuals to support one another in relation to their mental health and wellbeing.
*** NEW *** Employability SEN Meeting – Tuesday 5th April (10.30-11.30)
An informal session, connect with other social enterprises who have an employability focus, discuss common issues, and relevant policy areas/developments and share you successes. We are also keen to hear how you are (or are not) engaging with No One Left Behind and your Local Authority. Email Jayne to register
We are always keen to facilitate members sharing and supporting each other, and are happy to organise community learning exchanges to help with this. If you would be up for hosting a visit and sharing with others or if you have an organisation in mind that you would like to visit get in touch and we can try and make it happen. Visits can be face to face or virtual and all costs are covered.
Members News
The new and improved Glasgow Wood (formerly Glasgow Wood Recycling): the new website, identity and retail space! With the help of external teams, the Glasgow Wood team are very excited to finally share all their exciting new upgrades! They are currently running a promotion - 15% off all stock products*! Check out their website and be sure to follow them on social media for updates. * Valid until 5pm, 28th February - for use in-store only.
Congratulation to The Ecology Centre who recently achieved a Silver Award from Green Tourism, the world’s leading sustainability standard, recognising the eco-friendly achievements of tourism and hospitality businesses.
Respite Now CIC is pleased to be part of consortium accepted to deliver East Ayrshire community renewal fund training with JCP referrals. The Peace of Mind community program is also gaining traction with new groups in Fife and Scottish Borders to complement existing ones.
Great article in the Scotsman from the founder of Brave, Strong, Beautiful about creating a more diverse workforce being good for business.
Edinburgh Food Social are looking for new members who share their passion for improving the food landscape in Scotland and the lives of those who live here, to join its board of Directors.
Congratulations to Move On, nominated as a finalist in the #ECCAwards22 for the Developing the Young Workforce category!
Check out the latest news from Articulate.
Please take a moment to read this honest and powerful story – My Unedited Truth - from Lydia who is supported by Sahelyia. “Saheliya reaches down to the core of your soul and gives you what you need. They will revive the fire which had died in an individual”.
Employability & Fair Work
Coronavirus (COVID-19) volunteering - third sector perspectives: survey report - the results of a survey undertaken by Scottish Government in collaboration with Volunteer Scotland to gather third sector perspectives on volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Poverty and Inequality Commission has published its advice to the Scottish Government for its next Child Poverty Delivery Plan, which it has to publish by March 2022. It makes specific recommendations on a range of areas including action on social security, work and earnings and housing.
Learning & Work’s Good jobs in Scotland is a report for the Poverty and Inequality Commission Scotland. The research explores the current state of job quality in Scotland; how employment and core measures of job quality are likely to change; and what works to increase the number and proportion of good jobs.
Modelling packages to meet Scotland’s child poverty targets – report looking into Scotland's child poverty levels and how the Scottish Government could work towards meeting national targets. The purpose of the analysis in this report is to look at some of the large, national level, devolved policy levers that the Scottish Government could use to meet the targets – focusing on childcare, employability programmes and social security.
Homeless Action Scotland has recently completed an analysis of their survey about people in paid employment being excluded from homeless services in Scotland.
Funding/Finance
National Lottery Communities Fund & Awards for All Scotland - NLCF have provided a simple guide to their main funding programmes for Scotland. These are:
· National Lottery Awards for All Scotland (up to £10,000) for community or sports projects.
· Young Start (up to £100,000) for projects with children and young people where they play an active role in development, design and delivery.
· Community Led (up to £150,000) for broad community wellbeing activities, in a local area, led by local people.
· Improving Lives (up to £200,000) to tackle specific needs, local or regional projects.
· Scottish Land Fund (up to £1 million) for community-led organisations that want to take ownership of land assets, land rights or buildings important to their local community.
The Catalyst Fund - a new type of social investment offering loans through a flexible, revenue-based repayment model. The fund is open all year round for social enterprises looking for social investment of over £50,000 to help them start and grow their business. There is a new schedule of information webinars organised for the coming months.
Social Enterprise and Net Zero: - designed to support social enterprises and the wider third sector to make the transition to carbon net zero. Loans are available from £10,000. Organisations who have a particular circular economy focus or are proposing specific projects with a focus on re-use, repair and leasing/sharing models, may also be eligible for a small grant award.
Firstport’s Boost It - helps social enterprises that have been trading for up to three years to strengthen their businesses so they can successfully sustain trading. It can also help social enterprises at the start-up stage if they need an injection of capital to be able to get their idea started. You can apply for any amount between £30-50K as a repayable grant.
New Tech Lending Community Fund - a £400,000 fund to make tablets and free data available to community organisations across the UK. Exclusively supporting organisations such as local authorities, charities and social enterprises who work closely with temporary accommodation services, such as centres for refugees, housing for those at risk of homelessness or women’s refuges. The grant will provide one-off, start-up funding of between £50- 120K per organisation, to establish or further develop Tech Lending Hubs, where tablets will be loaned to residents in temporary accommodation on a temporary basis. Apply by 1 March.
Community Connect – Three Good Cause Groups from three Member Regions (North, East and West) will receive a financial award of up to £15,000 following a vote by Scotmid members. Funding is available for projects lasting up to two years which benefit local communities and should focus on areas including children and youth; social inclusion; active lifestyles; environment; the elderly; health and wellbeing; ethical issues; or arts & culture. Deadline - 5pm, 3 March.
Bank of Scotland Foundation - Reach Programme - Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 over one year are available for work that addresses social exclusion or disadvantage to ensure that the most vulnerable people across Scotland are provided with opportunity and equality to make positive, sustainable changes to their lives. Closes 7 March.
Support in Mind Scotland's Rural Community Engagement Fund allows local groups and organisations across Scotland’s Rural* Communities to apply for micro-grants of up to £2,500 to support and promote mental health recovery following the pandemic in rural communities through community engagement and support approaches. Round 1 of this Fund will close on 31 March.
UnLtd Awards - offer a year of dedicated support and a £5,000-£15,000 grant, to social entrepreneurs trying to start-up or grow their social business. Current deadline - 31 March.
The Digital Xtra Fund - supports initiatives from schools and organisations that teach young people (aged 16 and under) digital skills and concepts such as cyber security, coding, and robotics. Priority areas include underrepresented groups in the digital sector and areas excluded from digital activities. Deadline – 5 April.
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.
Scotch Whisky Action Fund - supports targeted interventions designed to tackle alcohol-related harms in Scotland’s communities. New initiatives and pilot projects that test out innovative approaches designed to reduce alcohol-related harm are of particular interest to the Fund. Closing date: noon, 25 April 2022.
Volant Charitable Trust - their Open Grants programme (multi-year, up to £15K/year) supports Scottish charities and projects, whether national or community-based that alleviate social deprivation, particularly supporting women, children and young people at risk. Apply before 12:00 on 29 April 2022.
The Screwfix Foundation - offers charities and community groups funding of up to £5,000 to support projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve community facilities that will help those in need. Deadline – 10 May.
'I’ve got an Idea Fund' is offering grants of £250 - £3000 to either individuals or small groups or organisations who have a novel technical idea with a focus on DIY ideas where the applicants are building and experimenting with their idea themselves rather than outsourcing the development.. Ideas should deliver a social or environmental benefit and also be intriguing, inventive and have an element of fun.
Arnold Clark Community Fund – aims to reopen in March. Grants up to £1,000 available for community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises for winter projects providing food banks, toy banks, poverty relief, housing and accommodation.
Support/Resources
Scottish Govt’s Analytical Exchange Programme invites bids from third sector organisations for short, sharp projects (anything from an afternoon up to 10 person days) where statistical or analytical skills could make a difference to your organisation. The work would include individuals or small groups of analysts acting as analytical consultants to solve problems in your organisation and would be delivered free of charge. Submit applications to chiefstatistician@gov.scot by Friday 4th March.
The Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) has published new guidance for communities who are considering Community Right to Buy (CRtB) covering: Which CRtB option is most appropriate for your community; An overview of the three CRtB processes; Getting ready for CRtB; Four case studies from communities that have used the process and Tools and resources to help you on your journey.
Our Place: a new site devoted to promoting the benefits of place and place-based working. You can access case studies, resources, and a place toolbox. It also features information on local place plans, including a How to Guide developed by SCDC and Nick Wright Planning.
You can catch up on past Scottish Enterprise webinars now on-demand for you to play back at your convenience. Also Scottish Enterprise article on Building business resilience: how to thrive in the new world of work.
SAMH is providing a new, free service which frontline workers can access right now. The Time for You service offers instant access to free mental health and wellbeing support for frontline workers in Scotland. There are three levels of support to choose from, ranging from online self-help to one-to-one therapy.
Information/News
Tackling poverty for good mental health - a new partnership between The Poverty Alliance and Mental Health Foundation to carry out an ambitious research and policy programme to address poverty as a fundamental driver of mental ill-health. Mental health problems are not evenly distributed across the whole population. Poverty, inequality, and discrimination place some people at a much higher risk, and this research will look at the source and impact of poverty stigma on mental health.
Scottish Recovery Network’s interim report from their What makes engagement meaningful? project is now available. It outlines participant insights from three national discussion events. They have launched a short survey (closing 18th Feb) to give more people to chance to contribute.
Transforming participation for disabled people in Glasgow beyond Covid 19: Report and Recommendations from Disability Workstream to Glasgow Social Recovery Taskforce.
The UKRI ‘Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities’ study was a year long UK-wide project to find out and report on how coronavirus affected, and is still affecting the lives of people with a learning disability, as well as their parents and carers. The findings show that people with learning disabilities have done their bit through the pandemic to keep themselves and others safe: over 90% are double vaccinated; most are still wearing masks in public and getting regular COVID tests. But they are paying a price. More than half are worried about leaving the house, more than 1 in 5 are often or always anxious, or have had a new or worsening health problem. Yet support for people and families, has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. For many easing restrictions for others has left them living more restricted lives with no obvious end in sight.
