Engage Update - 09 June

Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
Updated Guidance

In February 2025 Scottish Government announced that the CMHW Fund for Adults would now be delivered as part of a multiyear programme of delivery. 

The opportunity to grant funding across two years has arisen as part of the Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding pilot, part of the government’s commitment to deliver fairer funding for the third sector. The pilot has been set up to provide more certainty and allow for longer-term planning, aiming to improve stability and cost-efficiency for organisations and services.

We have updated guidance accordingly and all information is now available on the Engage Renfrewshire website

Look out for Wednesday's Funding and Training newsletter for details of upcoming Information Sessions

From all of us here at Engage Renfrewshire we want to wish a sincere thank you to those who took the time last week to celebrate their volunteers as part of Volunteers' Week 2025! 

The Community and Voluntary Action Team had a great time meeting prospective volunteers at Monday's Volunteer Fair and were moved and inspired by the stories shared at the celebration event on Wednesday. 

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
 

Carers Week Website

Find out what is happening at Renfrewshire Carers Centre this week here

More Than Words

This month the ALLIANCE has launched a report and campaign highlighting the importance of communication for all, and the need for change. We’d really appreciate any support you are able to offer in promoting inclusive communication for people in Renfrewshire. 
 
Most of us will need communication support at some point in our lifetimes. However, because there is a lack of good support, people frequently encounter problems. We’ve heard countless stories of people unable to access health and social care when they need it, attend education or work, or participate in society.  
  
Our campaign calls for legislation and regulation to protect people’s rights to inclusive communication. 
 
To read more and support our campaign, click here. 

Alliance - Self Management Awards 2025

After some requests for an extension to the awards closing date, we have decided to extend the deadline for all nominations to Wednesday 18 June at 10am.

Is there a project, individual or community making a real difference locally? Do you know a resource that helps people live well or enables professionals to offer better support?  What about individuals or organisations using digital technology in an innovative way to support self management?  You might know someone who’s inspiring others to self manage and share the message. We have a wide range of categories to nominate to.

The Self Management Awards are an annual celebration of the variety of brilliant work happening across Scotland to support self management, and the individuals who are taking self management in their stride.

The award categories are:

• Self Management in the Community
• Self Management Resource
• Self Management Digital Innovator
• The Audrey Birt Self Management Champion
• Empowering Self Management Project
• Sensory Impairment: Positive Self Management
• Self Management through the Arts

More information about the categories and how to nominate can be found on our Self Management Awards page.

We have also produced the a Communications Pack to support the promotion of the awards in any newsletters, or social media. We’ve included logos, timelines and suggested posts. We would greatly appreciate any support in promoting and spreading awareness of these awards amongst your networks.

Closing date is now 10.00AM on  Wednesday 18 June.

CTA in Scotland - Healthy Communities Survey

The Community Transport Association (CTA) is conducting research into access to health & social care and is calling on operators to complete a new survey.
 
Your participation will help CTA to gather the data and evidence it needs about the sector's role and impact to make the case for greater recognition, better policy and fairer funding for Community Transport.
 
The survey, which is open to all Community Transport operators in Scotland, can be found here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyCommunities. It should take up to 20 minutes and closes to responses on 30 June.
 
If you’d like to find out more, please email scotland@ctauk.org or visit www.ctauk.org/healthy-communities-scotland.’

Renfrewshire Economy Conference

Wednesday 18 June 2025 at Paisley Town Hall

Renfrewshire Council have around 200 places at the event but were sold out last year and want to encourage as many different partners, local businesses and community organisations to attend as possible. It’s an event for all of us and a good chance to sit with others to discuss the Renfrewshire Economy, including tourism potential.
 
Key themes this year include:

• Employment and Skills
• Supporting Business
• Future Investments

The economic overview this year will be from Mhairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment will be in attendance.
 
You can register your place through the link below :
 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renfrewshire-economy-conference-2025-tickets-1328841563889?aff=oddtdtcreator

Surf Adwards 2025

The 2025 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration launched at a special online event. 

You can read the press release here: https://surf.scot/2025-surf-awards-launch-for-applications/
 
The SURF Awards are delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, with additional support from Creative Scotland, Scottish Procurement Alliance, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, and Scotland's Towns Partnership.
 
The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.
 
​The 5 categories this year are:

• Community Led Regeneration
• Creative Regeneration
• Improving Scotland's Places 
• Removing Barriers to Employability 
• Housing and Regeneration

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 1st September. 
 
You may be interested in applying for an Award or you may know a project who might be interested in applying or who deserves an Award. 
 
You can download all of the application materials and find out more about the Awards here: https://surf.scot/surf-awards/surf-awards-2025/ We ask that you download and read the Information Paper with the full criteria.  A recording of the Launch Event and a short film from previous winners are also available. 

 

Active Communities - Trustees Wanted

Active Communities is seeking new trustees who share our values and are passionate about creating accessible health and wellbeing opportunities for people across Renfrewshire.
 
We welcome applications from individuals who live in, or have strong ties to, the Renfrewshire area. We're particularly interested in those with professional skills and expertise to support the strategic direction and governance of our charity.
 
Whether you have previous board experience or are considering your first trustee role, we offer a warm welcome, induction, and support to help you get started.
 
To arrange an informal chat or express your interest, please contact Colette, our HR & Operations Manager, at colette@activecommunities.co.uk. You can also find more details in our Trustee Information Pack.