Engage Update - 30 March

Renfrewshire Council Election Team currently has around 500 decommissioned, traditional-style ballot boxes available free of charge for schools, nurseries and community organisations. Instead of sending them for disposal, we would like to offer them for reuse, where they may still serve a practical purpose.
 
They measure 54cm long, 39cm width and 28cm deep.  Each box comes with a hinged lid that slots closed and includes the original ballot paper slot on top. They can be stacked open or closed.
 
Please note:
Boxes are well-used and may be marked, dusty or worn
They will not be cleaned prior to collection
Any official wording on the boxes (e.g. “Ballot Box”) will need to be covered or removed before use
Boxes are decommissioned and must not be used for real elections or political campaigning
You will have to collect from Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street.
Boxes will be allocated on a first come, first served basis
 
Collection times:
Monday 11th May between 12pm–6pm
Tuesday 12th May between 12pm–6pm
 
If your organisation would like to request one or more boxes, please reply to amy.crumb@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Organisation name
Number of boxes requested
Preferred collection time and day.

Newsletters

Trading Standards Scotland - 26 March

Safety NETworks March - Community Safety Highlights

Social Security Scotland - Stakeholder Newsletter - March 2026

Cyberbyte March 2026

Whole Family Wellbeing Fund

A £20 million fund for charities to deliver help that is tailored to the specific needs of families living in poverty or at risk of poverty. This will help them connect with the services and support in their communities that can make a difference.

The third Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, 'Bringing Hope, Building Futures', sets out that Whole Family Support means making sure families get the right support:

• when they need it
• where they need it
• for as long as they need it

Third sector organisations or partnerships can apply for a share of £20 million in funding for 2026/27. We expect that funding will continue and move to a multi-year basis from 2027/28, subject to future confirmation.

Applications close at midnight on Thursday 7 May.

Find out more

Billy McClean
Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership

I’m pleased to share my latest Vlog with you below.
 
In this week’s Vlog, I talk about:

• A visit with SMT to South Ayrshire HSCP to look at local initiatives and to find out more about alternative ways of working.
• My interesting meeting with Voluntary Health Scotland where we discussed prevention and early intervention.
• My regular thanks to staff for their great work. This week I mention some congratulations for the Commissioning team and our Home First Response team.

 If you have any feedback on this video or ideas for future topics, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch or email: HSCPcommunications@renfrewshire.gov.uk
 
I hope you enjoy this week’s update…


 

Love and Trouble

The New Tannahill Centre, working in partnership with Laura McGlinn of Scotland’s ACEs Action Community, is pleased to host a special community screening of the powerful documentary Love and Trouble.
 
This moving film explores recovery from trauma and the lasting impact of adversity, and forms part of a wider national tour supported by the ACEs Action Community. The event builds on the growing understanding in Scotland around trauma, resilience, and recovery.
 
Following the screening there will be a panel discussion and audience Q&A, creating space for reflection and conversation around trauma, poverty, mental health, and community resilience.
 
The evening will be hosted in a cinema-style setting in the Tannahill Centre main hall, with complimentary snacks and soft drinks available to create a relaxed movie-night experience.
 
Date: Wednesday 9 April
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Venue: The New Tannahill Centre, Ferguslie Park, Paisley
Free entry
 
A donation bucket will be available for those who wish to contribute.
 
This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about trauma-informed practice, community recovery, and the power of storytelling.
 
Reserve your place here:
 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1984822780366?aff=oddtdtcreator

MS Awareness Session

MS-UK are delighted to offer free MS awareness training sessions for professionals and volunteers.

Join us Friday 17 April at 10.00am 

The recording will also be sent to you after the event, or other dates are also available later in the year if you cannot make this one.
 
Why should your team attend this session?
MS is the most common disabling neurological condition in working-aged adults, affecting over 150,000 people in the UK. In addition to physical challenges like mobility, balance, and strength, many people with MS experience invisible symptoms such as fatigue, bladder or bowel issues, and cognitive difficulties. These can impact daily living, employment, and overall wellbeing.

Professionals play a crucial role in supporting those with MS. MS-UK is here to help increase your team’s understanding of the condition and the support available to the MS community.
 
What will you learn?
This session will be delivered by an MS-UK team member, alongside a volunteer with lived experience of MS.

• What is MS?
• Myths and preconceptions
• Symptoms that may impact on wellbeing
• A lived experience of MS
• Symptom management tips
• The kind of support that people with MS may need on their MS journey

 
Who should attend

• Health and social care workers
• Community based professionals
• Professionals that work for a charity or voluntary organisation supporting people with a disability
• Support workers or home care workers
• Professionals that work in health or social care
• Teams that support people living with MS

If you’re a care provider, social prescriber, or work in employment support (including the DWP), we recommend joining one of our specialised MS Awareness sessions tailored specifically for your role. Click the links above to find the session that’s right for you!
 
How to sign up
To join our free session click here. 

Home Energy Scotland

We're giving away prizes worth £750 each to 10 lucky winners across Scotland!

Our quiz offers you the chance to win a bundle of eco gadgets and appliances worth £750 for you and your home - but be quick, as the competition closes 31 March.
 
Simply answer four quick multiple-choice questions to unlock energy-saving tips that could help reduce your bills and lower your carbon footprint - and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. You’ll even get to choose the prizes that best fit your home and lifestyle.
 
Click here to enter