RenSEN Newsletter - 05 May

Here’s what’s ‘up and coming’ in the world of social enterprise…

• Ambitions 2026 – Deadline for applications is 7^th May. There are two strands: Step Up (for early stage social entrepreneurs) and Scale Up (to support growth-phase social enterprises)
• What’s new on the training calendar? Introduction to Business Planning (11.05) Renfrewshire: Stand out: Business storytelling that wins customers (14.05) Event marketing for charities (20.05), HR essentials for running a business (20.05), Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (25.05) Service design for charities (commencing 16.06)
• Scaling your social enterprise? – Apply for one to one consultancy support through Just Enterprise / Firstport’s  Launch Me provides business and investment readiness support with access to professional expertise / Connect with the Accelerate Programme (Community Enterprise).  
• Funding opportunities – Business Development Grant (Renfrewshire Council), Social Enterprise Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council), Business Restart Loan (Renfrewshire Council).

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills
06 May – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
06 May – AI Leadership Readiness for Charities (online / Third Sector Lab)
07 May – Renfrewshire: Turn your ideas into websites with Wix (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
18 May – Renfrewshire: Work smarter with AI (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
18 May – Social media essentials: Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
Commencing 18 May – Digital Senior Leaders Programme (online / SCVO) Fees apply
20 May – Event marketing for charities (online / Third Sector Lab)
21 May – Renfrewshire: Tips and tricks to using MS Teams for smarter meetings (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
27 May – An introduction to business websites (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
28 May – How to plan and schedule your online content (online / Business Gateway)
25 June – Unlock the full potential of Outlook (online / Business Gateway)


Governance and Leadership
25 June – Ask the Experts: Charity Law and Governance (online / SCVO)


Facilities Management
30 June – Facilities Management: Health and Safety Compliance For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
28 July – Facilities Management: Operational Budgets For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
25 August – Facilities Management: Fire Safety For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
28 August & 04 September – Facilities Management Training 2026 (2 day course) For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS) Waiting list in operation
13 and 19 November - Facilities Management Training 2026 A 2 day course for DTAS members (online / DTAS/COSS) Waiting list in operation


Social Enterprise Essentials 
06 May – Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
07 May – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
07 May (Evening) – How to start a business: the basics (online / Business Gateway)
12 May – How to identify and learn from mistakes (online / SCVO)
19 May – Renfrewshire: Employment Legislation: Are you ready? (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
19 May – Build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
20 May – HR essentials for running a business (online / Business Gateway)
21 May – Funding Fundamentals: growing support through funding events (online / SCVO) Fees apply
23 May (Saturday) – How to start a business: the basics (online / Business Gateway)
18 June – Funding Fundamentals: Choosing the right funds and thinking like a funder (online / SCVO) Fees apply
23 June - Measuring social value (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
08 July - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
23 September - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September – Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
13 October - Winning grants from trusts and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
02 December - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply


Business Planning
11 May – Introduction to Business Planning (online / Just Enterprise)
20 May – Renfrewshire: Meet your start-up advisor (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire) Booking essential
25 May – Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (online / Just Enterprise)
02 June – Renfrewshire: Developing a Sustainability Strategy (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)


Monitoring and Evaluation
07 May – Introduction to social impact measurement (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
14 May – Renfrewshire: Stand out: Business storytelling that wins customers (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
27 May – Plan, measure and report social impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply
09 June – Measuring social impact (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
12 July – Introduction to social impact measurement (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply


Income Generation 
12 May – Renfrewshire: Take control of your cash flow (online / Business Gateway)
14 May – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
19 May – How to generate sales (online / Business Gateway)
05 June – Renfrewshire: Tendering – The Basics (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
24 June – Charity accounting: Are you ready for SORP 2026? (online / SCVO)
20 August – Introduction to fundraising (online / SCVO) Fees apply