Rural SEN – 28 May 2025

The Rural Social Enterprise Network meeting held on 28th May 2025 focused on crisis support for social enterprises and communties. We are seeing more social enterprises asking for help as they face growing challenges, from cuts to funding and staff shortages, to rising costs and increasing demand for services. The recent Storm Eowyn had a Read more…

Rural SEN – 22nd January 2025

Our first Rural SEN session of 2025 was held on 22nd January, with a focus on tackling rising energy costs in rural communities.   The first session of the Rural SEN was conducted by Emily Berry from Utility Aid, the UK’s largest energy consultant for the not-for-profit sector. She explained who Utility Aid are, what Read more…

Rural SEN – 17 September 2024

Our third Rural SEN session of 2024 was held on 17 September 2024, with a focus on tackling depopulation in rural communities. The first session of the Rural SEN was conducted by Thomas Fisher and Theona Morrison from Uist Beò and CoDel. They presented statistical data from the Outer Hebrides and Islands and discussed their Read more…

Rural SEN – 30th May 2024

Our second Rural Social Enterprise Session of 2024 took place on the 30th of May and prompted some interesting discussion. We were first joined by Hilda Campbell from COPE Scotland. COPE Scotland is a charity organisation that has been offering free mental health tools and resources to promote mental and emotional health, wellbeing, and resilience Read more…

Rural SEN – 26th February 2024

Our first Rural Social Enterprise Session of 2024 took place on the 26th of February and prompted some interesting discussion. We were first joined by Beth Mukushi from The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). SCVO is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector. Through their Growing Climate Confidence website, Third Sector organisations in Read more…

Rural SEN – 21st September 2023

Our fourth Rural Social Enterprise Session took place on the 21st of September and prompted some interesting discussion. We were first joined by Jill Keegan from Scottish Community Alliance (SCA). SCA has two main functions – to promote the work of local people in their communities and to influence national policy in order to reflect Read more…

Rural SEN – 13th June 2023

Our third Rural Social Enterprise Session took place on the 13th of June and prompted some interesting discussion. We were first joined by Robyn Barclay from Third Sector Lab. Third Sector Lab have extensive experience of working in digital and design for charities, social enterprises, community groups and public sector. One of the biggest projects undertaken Read more…

Rural SEN – 2nd February 2023

Our first Rural Social Enterprise Session took place on the 2nd of February and prompted some interesting discussion. We were first joined by Diane Smith from SCOTO. SCOTO is a network of community tourism enterprises located throughout Scotland. Led by a team of dynamic individuals who each have extensive and varied experience in community tourism, Read more…

15th December 20, Rural SEN Notes

Members of the Rural SEN met in December 2020 to recap and connect on a challenging year, and look forward to 2021. Agenda items included: Recap of the October virtual learning exchanges, and identify themes for future sessions. Discuss Social Enterprise Net Zero Strategy and set up Rural Focus Group to outline challenges, opportunities and Read more…

15th Feb 21, Rural SEN Notes

The Rural SEN met for their first session of 2021 on February 15th. Agenda items included:   An overview of key points from the Net Zero Rural Focus Group Discussion on the research agenda and questions proposed by the Rural SE Research Focus Group Update on SEWF Rural Forum Overview of upcoming Virtual learning Exchanges Read more…

18th August 20, Rural SEN Notes

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 Read more…

3rd June 20, Rural SEN Notes

3/6/20 notes – Rural social enterprises and their supporters connected virtually at the Rural SEN meeting last week, giving people from as far north as Lerwick, to as far south as Kelso, the opportunity to share experiences, learning, and identify areas for future action and collaboration. A number of reports and resources were shared during Read more…