RenSEN Newsletter - 04 November

A selection of learning workshops and events taking place in November…

• Learn how to use AI for small business during this online workshop with Business Gateway (05 November)
• Is your charity sitting on cash in the bank earning low or no interest? This SCVO workshop covers how to address this – I have zero interest (06 November)
• Know Your Numbers– An online workshop delivered by Just Enterprise, aimed at those who have little or no previous knowledge in understanding and interpreting financial documentation (09 November)
• Recruiting Board Members – This online workshop from Just Enterprise ‘will look at the steps you need to take when recruiting board members including how to find the right people for your organisation and the ways in which you can approach them’ (18 November)
• Unlocking Opportunities with the Public Sector – This interactive information session hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland ‘will walk you through how public sector procurement works’ (19 November).

RenSEN News

• Safe Deposits Scotland’s Community Fund – Provides small grants up to £5,000.  Find out more about the application process here. Guidance notes can be viewed here
• Apt Renfrewshire offers a calendar programme of specialist training to Renfrewshire-based employers on topics relating to wellbeing at work.  Take a closer look here: Apt Renfrewshire workshop programme
• The National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start programme will pause on 19 December 2025 and reopen Spring 2026.  If you’re considering applying to Young Start but haven’t discussed this with TNLCF or requested an application form yet, then contact TNLCF as soon as possible so their Funding Officer can advise you further.

RenSEN - Any help with training staff?

Here are some options to try

• How to upskill employees with online resources from Skills Development Scotland
• Access free digital learning here
• Take a look at this YouTube playlist  from Skills Development Scotland (25 videos)
• Skills Development Scotland’s My World of Work – Find free learning courses
• Peer to Peer Workplace Learning
• Find out more about employer support through Skills Development Scotland
• FutureLearn - Upskill staff for their current job or reskill for a new one. 
• Find free training for employees through OpenLearn
• Find professional development courses through Open University in Scotland (OUiS)
• Browse SQA’s Skills for Work courses
• Grow with Google – Free digital learning and tools

The course is designed for people in helping & caring professions as well as informal settings to develop & apply counselling skills in non-counselling settings.

To find out more see attached document or email, enquiries@aarsewrvices.com


 

Renfrewshire council are delivering a workshop for businesses and organisations interested in starting their Net Zero journey to reduce emissions, save costs and win more business.
 
 
 
 
Event: Your Carbon Story Workshop : Measure it, Manage it. Win with it
Date: 17th Nov 2025
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Venue: Incube, 27 High St, Paisley PA1 2AF
 
This workshop will take attendees through:

• Understanding their carbon footprint and what it can reveal for their business
• How a Carbon Baseline Assessment can pinpoint energy, cost saving and efficiency opportunities.
• Hear from Net Zero specialists 
• Connect and network with Renfrewshire businesses and organisations already on their sustainability powered growth and net zero journey.

 To register for this event please click here.
 
Https://your-carbon-story-workshop-tickets.eventbrite.co.uk

 

 
Register your place at: Apt Renfrewshire Training - SUSE - Scottish Union of Supported Employment

• Wed 5th Nov – From Awareness to Action: Bipolar at Work 10am-12.30pm 
• Tues 11th Nov – Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business. How to make a Difference 9-11.30am 
• Tues 18th Nov – How to be a Confident Employer and Service Provider 2-4.30pm 
• Mon 24th Nov – Workplace Wellbeing , what works? 9-11.30am 
• Tues 2nd Dec – The Men and Mental Health Challenge 9-11.30am
• Mon 8th Dec – Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business. How to make a Difference 9-11.30am 
• Tues 16th Dec – Workplace Wellbeing, what works? 9-11.30am 

Social Enterprise Learning Webinars (for social enterprises at all stages)

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills
10 November – Social media essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
11 November – Introduction to business websites (online / Business Gateway)
19 November – Cyber security essentials for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
20 November – Social media fundamentals (online / SCVO) Fees apply
25 November - Unlocking the Power of AI for Social Impact (Social Enterprise Scotland)
02 December – Managing digital change (online / SCVO)



Governance & Leadership
18 November – Running effective board meetings (online / SCVO) Fees apply
20 November – Introduction to being a board member (online / Culture and Business Scotland) Fees apply
02 December – Good governance: Board and staff relationships (online / SCVO) Fees apply
20 January – Making the most of your SCVO membership (online / SCVO)
04 February – Introduction to project management (online / SCVO) Fees apply



Social Enterprise Essentials
05 November – Introduction to social impact measurement (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
09 November – Know Your Numbers – (online / Just Enterprise)
10 November – Introduction to safeguarding (online / SCVO) fees apply
13 November – Public Contract Scotland / Using PCS to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
25 November and 26 November – Measuring social value (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
27 November – Making online meetings better (online / SCVO)
03 December – Comms and marketing made easy (online / SCVO) Fees apply
28 January – Be report writing ready (online / SCVO) Fees apply
03 February 2026 – Plan measure and report social impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply
25 February 2026 – Social impact for start-ups (in-person Glasgow / Just Enterprise)
04 March 2026 – How to win contracts and service level agreements (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Monitoring and Evaluation
06 November – Plan, measure and report social impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Income Generation / Procurement
18 November – Securing corporate sponsorships (online / Culture and Business Scotland) fees apply
27 November – Unlocking legacy support (online / Culture and Business Scotland) fees apply
20 January 2026 – (Procurement) Working with the public sector: All you need to know (online / Supplier Development Programme)
21 January 2026 – Packaging your sponsorships (online / Culture and Business Scotland) Fees apply
27 January 2026 – How to find and bid for opportunities on Public Contact Scotland (PCS) (online / Supplier Development Programme)
28 January 2026 - Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)
04 February 2026 – Getting your business tender ready (online / Supplier Development Programme)