18/8/20 notes – Scotland’s Rural SEN met earlier in August, with 34 people attending from across Scotland. The group included social and community-owned enterprises, representatives from support agencies, and supporters of and those interested in rural social enterprise.
We welcomed fellow social entrepreneurs from Estonia, connected via the Erasmus+ ViSEnet project, who joined the meeting to learn from the Scottish perspective. The discussion gave updates on ongoing projects, and gave space for people to discuss current issues and opportunities they are facing. You can download the minutes here, and a summary of resources here.
Key points from discussion:
Virtual Learning Exchanges:
- The Scottish Community Alliance has confirmed funding to support a rural social enterprise virtual learning exchange project. This will cover time to make videos or presentations, and then share learning in a video-conference open to social enterprises, and Q&A. The virtual learning exchange events will be held in late September, early October, dates TBC. Stay tuned!
Mental Health Resources
- There is a need for improved access and awareness of mental health and wellbeing resources for social enterprises, their staff and volunteers. Covid has put considerable pressure on many third sector organisations, who have had to respond quickly and with resilience to serve their communities. This has had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of staff and volunteers. We have compiled a list of mental health and wellbeing resources in our resources summary.
Creating Opportunities for Young People
- It was highlighted that the social enterprise sector should continue to assist people into employment, and provide opportunities for young people. The importance of access and progression routes for young people, which allow them to learn and work (while remaining rooted in their own communities) was highlighted. This survey has been produced to determine previous activity and willingness to support these in the future. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/acessandprogressionroutes
Follow the Rural SE Hub on Twitter for more.