This Rural SEN meeting (held on the 25th of November 2025) was the fourth network meeting of 2025 and had a focus on Equality Diversity & Inclusion and Rural Census Deep Dive.

Rural Census Deep Dive – Scott Edgar (Diffley Partnership)

The Social Enterprise Census Scotland 2024 data was published in September 2025, and it paints a clearer picture of the growth and the current state of the sector in the country. Scott Edgar the Senior Research Manager at Diffley Partnership, delivered the first presentation, giving a deep insight into the rural data from the Social Enterprise Census 2024. 

Cultural Confidence & Inclusion in Rural Communities – Rani Kaur Dhanda (Inclusion Junction)

Rani Kaur Dhanda, founder of Inclusion Junction, delivered the second presentation. Inclusion Junction provides CPD certified development programmes for universities, charities, and SMEs, supporting leaders to communicate better, make fair decisions, and create spaces where people speak up rather than withdraw. Rani, with her background in teaching equality and diversity in higher education for many years, brings her lived understanding of cultural difference, while partnering with experts in disability, neurodiversity, ADHD, mental health and gender inclusion to ensure that every programme is wider than one lens. 

ABC’s of Community Assets – Suzanne Orchard (Stir to Action/ Centre for Democratic Business)

Suzanne Orchard delivered the third presentation representing Centre for Democratic Business which was earlier known as Stir to Action. Centre for Democratic Business (CfDB), launched in 2013, is a national organisation that promotes new economic alternatives, particularly focusing on promoting the role of democratic power for eradicating economic inequalities. 

Download the full notes, copy of presentation slides, and additional resources and news by clicking here.