Engage Update - 08 September

Scottish Learning Disability Week is a time to celebrate people with learning disabilities. It’s about making Scotland a fairer place, where people with learning disabilities are respected, included, and have equal opportunities in all areas of life. This week helps people understand the achievements and talents of people with learning disabilities. It also raises awareness about the challenges they face every day.

This year, people with learning disabilities told us they often feel excluded from jobs, healthcare, social events, and culture.

That’s why the theme for 2025 is:

“I Am Here”

This year we are asking support providers and members of the community to commit to better inclusion in their venues, services and in all aspects of daily life.

But don’t worry it won’t all be work, we will have music and cake!

If you would like to join us please let us know by emailing claireleikertas@turningpointscotland.com

Newsletters

Trading Standards Bulletin - 04  September

Cyberbyte September 2025 

News, Training and Events from Generations Working Together - September

Stories of the Future Magazine

West College Scotland - Ferguslie Learning Centre

Our new programme for this term has just started and we have a few places available in the

• Mental Health: Coping Strategies and Building Resilience course on Monday afternoons
• Creative Writing (Nat 4) class on Friday mornings 

Kathleen Brown
Kathleen.Brown@wcs.ac.uk
0141 842 1015

Paisley Halloween Festival 2025

Paisley Halloween Festival 2025 will take place in Paisley town centre on Friday 24 October, 4.00pm - 9.00pm and Saturday 25th October, 2.00pm - 9.00pm. The centre point of the celebration will be a town centre wide parade at 7pm each evening, featuring professional artists, costumed and choreographed community groups, large puppets, sound and light. The festival will also offer family friendly entertainment, a live stage, street performances, lighting and projection displays and street food traders.

We are pulling together a fringe programme of events taking place across Renfrewshire during the festival, which will be included in the event promotion. If you are planning to run any Halloween themed events or activities, please let us know by completing this form by 01 October 2025. 

Complete the programme registration form for Paisley Halloween

Paisley Christmas 2025

Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On 2025 will take place in Paisley town centre on Saturday 15th November from 1.00pm - 6.00pm. The programme will feature an outdoor stage with live acts, lighting installations, street performances.

We are pulling together a fringe programme of events taking place across Renfrewshire during the festive period, from Sat 15th Nov through until 31 Dec, which will be included in the event promotion. If you are planning to run any Christmas themed events or activities, please let us know by completing this form by  01 October 2025. 

Complete the programme registration form for Paisley Christmas

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mairi McAllan MSP, this week announced a number of actions designed to help tackle the housing emergency. After a significant period of influencing with officials, politicians and within the press, SFHA is pleased to confirm that measures on increased and long-term funding, MMR and homelessness prevention are being taken forward. 

Read more here

Got an idea you’d like to explore, questions you want answered, or plans to build your audience? SMIA One-to-One sessions give you space and support to work things through.

These free 30-minute Zoom sessions are open to anyone working in, or aiming to work in, music in Scotland. You’ll have the chance to meet with a member of our team, discuss your projects, and get tailored advice and guidance.
You can attend alone or with someone alongside you, such as a carer or support worker. If you have specific access requirements, please let us know.

September sessions:

• Thursday 11 September 2025
• Wednesday 24 September 2025

If something comes up and you can no longer attend, just drop us a quick message at info@smia.org.uk. We understand that plans can change and really appreciate the notice so we can offer the spot to someone else.

Book here

Scotland Demands Better

Scotland needs that change. Too many of us are being cut off from life's essentials. Too many are frightened of what the future will bring. Too many of us are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned.  Too many are going hungry, or are without a home, or sacrificing meals for families, dreading winter due to heating costs, or struggling to get by on wages that don’t cover their household costs.

Scotland Demands Better is our chance to come together and demand that politicians make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper.

Find out more