Blog
Education Winter Newsletter 2018
Get a copy of our latest Social Enterprise in Education Newsletter, read on to find out how to enter our Big Issue competition and how schools got on in the Social Enterprise World Forum.
How can we be more kind as leaders?
Research shows that just one random act of kindness each day can make a significant difference to our ability to deal with challenges at work. How can you re-capture the art of kindness today?
A cuppa, cake & kindness: Bargarran Primary’s community café
Our education coordinator James went to visit Bargarran Primary to find out how they are connecting their community through social enterprise.
Scotland’s Young People Make a Lasting Impact at SEWF 2018
Opening the Social Enterprise World Forum, St Alberts Primary, Glasgow and Broughton High School, Edinburgh showed exactly why Scotland should be proud of its young people.
New Horizons shared on the Long Island
As the Rural Symposium came to an end David Bryan shares the challenges and solutions found across the world in rural areas.
Internationalism at the SEA Global Gathering 2018
Social Enterprise Academy Co-Founder, Jim Bennett, reflects on the international thinking that has helped shape the Academy.
Ask a #SocEnt School: BRO Enterprise
BRO tell us what inspired them to set up and start changing the lives of people in their community.
8 Ways to Develop Your Courageous Leadership
Courageous leaders are able to create a culture of trust and respect, which makes those around them be prepared to follow them. What does courageous leadership look like to you?
Social Enterprise in Schools Awards 2018
We take a look around this year's Social Enterprise in Schools Awards in Inverness!
Sponsored by: SQA, Kibble, Big Issue Invest & British Council.
Innovation and Insights: Could we benefit from a global mindset?
As a community of social changemakers, how can we benefit from a global mindset?
How Pakistan's Universities are Growing Social Enterprise
David sits down with Rehmat Khan, Social Enterprise Incubator Manager at BUITEMS Business Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center-BBIEC, to chat about how Pakistan's universities are supporting rural social enterprise.
What type of leadership does our sector need?
With the effects of austerity and increasing demand for services providing us with new challenges and opportunities - what type of leadership does our sector need to thrive?
SEA Meets: Ewan Aitken | Cyrenians (PT4)
To celebrate the launch of the brand new Chief Executive leadership programme, we spoke to Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, about the importance of living your organisation's values.
Ask a #SocEnt School: Blairhall Bakes
Blairhall Bakes give us behind the scenes access to their social enterprise!
SEA Meets: Ewan Aitken | Cyrenians (PT3)
To celebrate the launch of the brand new Chief Executive leadership programme, we spoke to Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, about ensuring his decision making empowers, rather than blocks, front line staff.
Ask a #SocEnt School: Crosshouse Cares
We found out how Crosshouse Primary School is getting on with their social enterprise Crosshouse Cares.
Women in Leadership: Time to try something different?
Dona Milne, Chair of Youth Scotland's board, shares how the organisation has achieved their 50:50 gender split three years ahead of schedule.
SEA Meets: Ewan Aitken | Cyrenians (PT2)
To celebrate the launch of the brand new Chief Executive leadership programme, we spoke to Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, about what it was like being part of a network of peers with other Chief Executives.
International Women's Day Webinar
What role can social enterprise play in progressing gender equality? Join us for a free webinar, where we'll be exploring this year’s International Women’s Day theme - #PressforProgress.
The 'Forever Projects': Learning from community ownership
Highlands & Islands Hub Manager, David Bryan, reflects on the inspirational story of North Assynt, as well as the opportunities and challenges of community land buyouts.
SEA Meets: Ewan Aitken | Cyrenians
To celebrate the launch of the brand new Chief Executive leadership programme, we spoke to Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, about how Chief Executives can help their organisations to thrive.
Reflect on 2017’s Lollipop Moments
Stories give us great insight into how small actions can make a huge impact – leadership is made up of lots of these potential 'lollipop moments'
Social Enterprise Roundtable with SEA Australia
Social Enterprise Academy CEO Neil McLean and the team from SEA Australia, spoke to Kibble Podcast Network about how social enterprise in Australia compares to Scotland.
Learning Lunch: How are you spending your time?
This month, we’re looking at how senior leaders can make sure they’re using their time effectively and are creating opportunities to nurture and grow the talent in their organisations.
Scotland & Malawi: Sparking Social Enterprise Collaboration
Sam and Karen discuss how collaboration and shared learning are igniting social enterprise ecosystems and creating real social change in Malawi and around the world.
Learning from Scotland's Rural Social Enterprises
Inspired by a visit from our colleagues at SEA Australia (from rural Victoria), we look at how Scotland has become a leader in rural social enterprise - identifying 3 underpinning themes that have contributed to this success.
Social Enterprise in Education Awards 2017
It's been another incredible year for Scotland's young social entrepreneurs. Here we share some of the highlights from this year's awards in Edinburgh and Inverness.
Connecting Communities ‘From Over the Hill’
To tie in with the launch of our LEADER funded programmes in the Cairngorms National Park, David looks at the rich history of this area and how solutions to local challenges may be found just 'over the hill'.
If at First You Do Succeed - Analyse, Learn & Succeed Again
When was the last time you analysed a project that went well? Lara looks at how we can potentially learn more from our sucesses than our failures.
Getting to the Heart of Community Leadership
Following a recent Academy programme in rural Pakistan, David reflects on the community leadership revolution in rural Scotland and what factors have contributed to its success.
4 TED Talks to Help You Reconnect with Information
This week, we share 4 TED talks that explore how ‘conscious information use’ enables us to have more personal and social impact.
5 Ideas to Build Reflection Time into Your Day
Our staff and tutors share a few simple ways you can promote reflection to help ensure that you’re making the right kind of impact with your work and relationships.
Your Year on Twitter with @SocEntAcademy
You have had a busy year! From starting up school social enterprises to leading change in organisations and communities, here is a little snapshot of what you've been up to.
60 Seconds with Elspeth McCoull
As Head Teacher of Glendale Gaelic Primary, Elspeth reflects on the leadership challenges facing Gaelic speaking teachers and educational practitioners in this 60-second interview.
Reflecting on Scotland's Social Enterprise Ecosystem
Reflecting on this year's Social Enterprise World Forum in Hong Kong, Neil shares his thoughts into the importance of having a strong ecosystem of support (and appreciating when you have one).
5 Podcasts to Get You Thinking
Evidence shows that a powerful story can have a significant impact on our thinking - so how can podcasts challenge our assumptions or shift our perceptions and behaviour? Give these five a go and see.
Learner Insights: Pete White
"For most of the people I work with the experience of being treated as an equal is new. They often tend to feel they are disadvantaged or only see what they can’t do. Suddenly their voice is heard."
Learner Insights: Carol Cunningham
“Turns out I am the world’s biggest reflector! It made me wonder if I expected the people I work with to be the same, but having been on the programme, it helped me to consider what their learning style was and consider their views to develop our services as a team.”
Learner Insights: Gary White
“Motivating people is a big part of my job. What I learned on the programme gave me a better understanding of myself. I am a natural starter and love to initiate new things but am not so great at finishing! So I look out for that.”
Learner Insights: Michelle Ferguson
I understood that I couldn’t change everything and I couldn’t make everything all right all of the time... We had an open conversation about how we worked. I walked away and thought it doesn’t matter if I can’t fix it. What’s important is that we have been open and we can adapt.”
Social Enterprise in the Periphery
The issues facing rural communities are all too familiar. But as the tide turns in Scotland through a rise in community-led and social enterprises, what could be behind these changes in the periphery?
Starting with the End in Mind
Exploring the 'Flight of the Buffalo' concept by James Belasco and Ralph Stayer, we're reminded that there may be more we can do as leaders to prevent the 'herd getting wiped out'.
Young People Embrace the Power of Connection
Young people are empowered by opportunities to turn their ideas into action, and they're using the power of connection and partnership to make sure it has an impact.
In Memory of Chris Higgins
Chris Higgins, our friend and Board member, sadly passed away on 31 May 2016. This is a tribute to a man who had enormous impact and was a great supporter of social enterprise in Scotland.
The Moment of Change
When you think one moment could change the one million moments that follow, we're empowered by various 'moments of realisation' where our learning really starts to click.
Creating Time to Slow Down
When time is the difference between making change happen now or later, it's so easy to push ourselves to work harder and faster. But could the fastest way forward actually be to slow down?
How to Start Writing Reflectively
Writing a journal is a simple way to practice reflection - here are some tips and ideas to get started
Mindful Leadership
We can spend a lot of time on 'auto-pilot' while we lose ourselves in the tasks that need to be done. But what might it mean to you to be more 'present' for that time?
The Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurs
Social enterprise is becoming fertile ground for young leaders to apply their strengths and leadership to create real social impact. So how can we encourage more of it?
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