Engage Newsletters
Keep up to date with Engage Renfrewshire
Engage Update - 22 September
**ROCCO ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MIDNIGHT Tuesday 30th September**
The ROCCOs are Renfrewshire’s premier business event now in their 21st year and will take place on Friday 21st November at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel. Main Sponsor is Invest In Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council’s programme to grow the local economy and support employment.
The entry deadline has been extended to Midnight on Tuesday 30th September.
The ROCCO’s are free to enter for members based anywhere plus non-members that are based in Renfrewshire. The 17 categories this year are:
ROCCO Award for Environmental Sustainability – sponsored by Lochlie Construction Group
ROCCO Award for Innovation & Technology – sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
ROCCO Award for Excellence in Manufacturing -sponsored by NMIS
ROCCO Award for International Trade -sponsored by Glasgow Airport
ROCCO Award for Community Wealth Building – sponsored by Renfrewshire Council
ROCCO Award for Excellence in Tourism – sponsored by Renfrewshire Council
ROCCO Award for Most Promising New Business -sponsored by Business Gateway
ROCCO Award for Family Business of the Year – sponsored by The Malcolm Group
ROCCO Award for Journey to Net-Zero – sponsored by Ren Zero
ROCCO Award for Young Business Person of the Year – Sponsored by Rolls Royce
ROCCO Award for Employer of the Year – sponsored by Arnold Clark
ROCCO Award for Community Champion – sponsored by Engage Renfrewshire
ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business 5 or fewer employees – sponsored by Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd
ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business 5<25 employees – Terumo Aortic
ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business >25 employees – sponsored by Altrad Babcock
ROCCO Award for Business Leader of the Year – sponsored by Diageo plc
Download your entry forms from the website here
ROCCO Award for Renfrewshire’s Favourite Business – sponsored by Pacitti Accountancy & Business Advisory.
To nominate your favourite business please email awards@roccoawards.com by Midnight on Fri 3rd October & include ROCCO AWARD in the subject header. In email include the name of business and why in <100 words they deserve to win. Also include your own name, address & phone number. A shortlist will be announced with online voting open until early November. The winner will be announced on the night.
Supporting Young Volunteers
This development afternoon is aimed at Volunteer Managers and co-ordinators in Renfrewshire who directly support – or whose organisation supports – young people.
Https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-volunteers-development-series-with-ygam-tickets-1684392004829
Participants will gain up-to-date knowledge on emerging risks such as gaming and gambling harms, enabling them to stay informed and better support young people. The sessions will provide practical tools and resources that can be used in everyday work, including workshop ideas and signposting options. Finally, the event offers a chance to network with peers and local organisations, encouraging the sharing of best practice and the strengthening of partnerships across Renfrewshire.
You can find out more information about YGAM's training through the following link: https://ygam.org/training/
Scottish Recovery Network - Peer Connects
The Future is Peer: opportunities & impact webinar
30 September, 10:00-11:00
This Peer Connects webinar hosted by Scottish Recovery Network will arm you with evidence and insights to help you champion the value of peer support with your stakeholders, decision-makers, funders, local authorities, and beyond. 60 minutes of ideas and inspiration to kick start your day!
Book via the Scottish Recovery Network eventbrite channel: https://OpportunitiesImpact.eventbrite.co.uk
Going the distance: making peer support sustainable
7 October, 10:30 -12:00
Peer support is most effective when the right conditions are in place. What does it take to make peer support sustainable within your group, service, or community?
Join Scottish Recovery Network for this participative Peer Connects event to explore the key elements that help peer support thrive. We’re delighted to welcome Darren Sayer, Operations Manager at Hope Point Dundee (Penumbra) who will share learning from their innovative peer service.
Book in for a chance to meet with other people passionate about peer support and explore practical tips and examples to help peer support flourish: https://SustainablePeerSupport.eventbrite.co.uk
RenCAN - First Anniversary Celebration
Friday 3rd October, 9:30am - 2pm
The Wynd Centre, Paisley
What you can expect... a day of interactive workshops, themed panels, offers & needs, good food and lots of networking.
Full details and ticket information can be found here: https://renfrewshireclimate.scot/events/save-the-date-anniversary-event
Have Your Say: Help Shape Future Community Spaces in Paisley
UWS Students’ Union is exploring how our spaces in Paisley can better support both students and the wider community. We need your help to understand local needs - and we want to help by making our facilities more accessible and useful for groups like yours.
We have a range of flexible options, including a licensed hall for up to 500, a smaller bookable room for up to 50, and a board room for up to 12. Our facilities include a professional PA system and technical equipment, making them suitable for everything from live performances to conferences and community events. These spaces have previously hosted conferences, the Paisley Book Festival, weddings, awards ceremonies, gigs, DJ nights, cultural events, and community gatherings.
Our aim is to upgrade and adapt these spaces, so they continue to meet the needs of the Paisley and Renfrewshire community. As part of a feasibility study, we are asking local organisations to share their views on what’s needed, how these spaces could be used, and opportunities for collaboration.
Take our short survey here
Survey will close on October 6th
Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference
The 12th annual Cerebral Palsy Scotland conference will take place on Wednesday 8 October 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow.
The conference is inclusive for all those with experience of cerebral palsy – either directly, through family or professionally. The day is all about providing an opportunity for the cerebral palsy community to get together and share information and experience.
Register here
Scottish Apprenticeship Awards
The awards, organised by Skills Development Scotland and now in their 24th year, celebrate the vital benefits apprenticeships bring to people, businesses and the economy.
This year’s updated award categories recognise Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices due to complete this year – as well as apprentice employers and learning providers. There is also a special category spotlighting apprentices who are supporting net zero targets.
Nominations for the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards close at 12 noon on Friday 10 October.
Winners will be revealed at a live ceremony on Thursday 26 February, hosted at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026.
You can get involved by nominating an inspirational apprentice, employer or learning provider – as well as promoting nominations across your contacts.
I’ve attached a graphic that can be used to promote the awards across your channels.
Please visit apprenticeships.scot/awards to find out more and submit your nominations.
If you have any questions, please contact scotappawards@sds.co.uk
When teenagers are navigating puberty and parents are experiencing the menopause, households can become charged with emotion. These ‘double hormone households’ often face tension and conflict, which – if left unresolved – can escalate to relationship breakdown, and in some cases, young people leaving home.
This event creates a safe and open space to:
- Explore the realities of living in a ‘house of hormones’.
- Hear from experts and real experiences.
- Learn practical tools for handling conflict and supporting family wellbeing.
Our first House of Hormones event at the Edinburgh Fringe attracted 150 participants and received good feedback, with attendees saying it was ‘reassuring’ and gave them ‘practical ideas for handling tough conversations’.
How to register
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-of-hormones-tickets-1658875905489