Engage Update - 09 March

Nominations close: 17 March 2026 at 12 noon
 

You've just over a week left to apply for this year's Scottish Charity Awards - the annual third sector celebration and opportuntity to shine a light on the positive impact of organisations, teams, and inspiring individuals across Scotland.

Winning or being shortlisted for an award can raise your profile, attract new supporters, and gives well-deserved recognition to those driving change in communities across Scotland.

The awards are free to enter and there are multiple award categories to showcase your achievements. Every finalist will also be gifted two complimentary tickets to attend our celebratory awards ceremony on Thursday 11 June at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow. 

Newsletters

Trading Standards Scotland - 5 March

Generations Working Together - 1 March

Ren Safe Online - March Bulletin.

Centred around the theme Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons, the three-day festival, which will run from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May, will welcome leading writers, thinkers and creatives to explore who their role models are and what makes a hero. With Christopher Brookmyre, Jenni Fagan, Val McDermid, Nicola Sturgeon, Graeme Armstrong and Sally Magnusson amongst the big names who will take to the stage.

See the full programme here

Empowering People, Places, and Policy – SURF Hustings and Conference

Last call for this special SURF Annual Conference and Hustings event to be held this Thursday 12th March in Paisley Town Hall. 

A key focus of discussion will be the four manifesto topics of Resource Local Democracy, Deliver Affordable Housing, Commit to Fair Funding, and Invest in Public Transport, and you will get a chance to grill the party representatives at a morning hustings session. There will also be a chance to learn from over a decade of evidence from our Alliance for Action place-based programme. 

Hustings representatives include:

• Grant Toghill (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
• Malcom Offord (Reform UK)
• Sophie Traynor (Scottish National Party)
• Ariane Burgess (Scottish Green Party)
• Josephine Oboh Macleod (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
• TBC (Scottish Labour)

With additional input including Neil Young of St Paul's Youth Forum and Author, Playwright and Performer Alan Bissett. 

Book a space here

HMRC

National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are increasing from April 2026. If you manage payroll yourself, this HMRC live webinar will help you understand the upcoming changes, stay compliant with NMW legislation, avoid costly errors and ensure workers are paid correctly.

You can also ask questions throughout using the on-screen text box.

During this webinar we’ll cover:
•    your responsibilities as an employer
•    current and upcoming rates from April 2026
•    how pay reference periods work
•    common errors and risks that can catch employers out
•    what to do if you discover an underpayment
 

Social Security Scotland Survey 

Researchers in Social Security Scotland are running a short survey for people who support their clients or work in partnership. It gives you a chance to tell Social Security Scotland about your experience of dealing with their teams over the past year. 

You can take part in the survey online. 

A dark mode-friendly version of the survey is also available. 

The survey will close on Wednesday 25 March.  Completing the survey will take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Taking part is voluntary and your responses will be confidential. No one will be able to identify you in any of the reported results. Only people working in the research team will be able to see your responses. 

It's OK to Ask

The ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign is promoted by NHS Scotland to empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey. Providing guidance on how to ask questions during any consultations or conversations about their health and care, the campaign aims to make patients more involved and informed on the treatment options available to them.

Social media toolkit containing guidance and social media assets are available to download at the bottom of this link.

Please share with your communities where appropriate. Should you require any help, or wish to request assets in other sizes or formats please get in touch NHS 24's Communications Team.