RenSEN newsletter - 07 October

RenSEN Network
RenSEN - Spotlight
RenSEN News
RenSEN - Is there a directory of local groups in Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire Local Business Series
Renfrewshire Community Transport
Business Gateway Support

Support and Training
Social Enterprise Learning

A selection of learning workshops and events taking place over the coming weeks…

• 08 October – Step-up your trading this festive season (online / Social Enterprise Scotland) – Information session on Firstport’s Step Up programme
• 09 October – Public Contract Scotland / Using PCS to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
• 19 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;.
• 28 October – Want to meet a panel of marketing gurus? Book now for this Question-Time style webinar hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland.

RenSEN News 

• 10 October (Noon) – Submission deadline for Inspire Scotland’s Outdoor Community Play Main Grants Fund
• Corra Foundation’s Racial Equity Fund is now open – The fund ‘provides unrestricted, multi-year grants of up to £50,000 to organisations that are led by, and working with, people from Black and racially minoritised backgrounds’. 
• Free employer training from SUSE Scotland for example: Tuesday 14th October (10.00am-12.30) From Awareness to Action: Bipolar at Work – An online webinar providing ‘a practical introduction to bipolar in the workplace’    Find out more about their Apt Renfrewshire programme.
• 21 October – Social Enterprise and the Construction Sector – Online information webinar hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland
• 21 October – Renfrewshire Women In Business networking event (in-person / Business Gateway)
• 11 November – In-person learning exchange hosted by Scottish Sports Futures (Glasgow).  Click on link to find out more
• 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 Question - is there a directory of local groups in Renfrewshire

• You can search Engage Renfrewshire’s online membership directory
• …or search the online  Social Enterprise Directory for Renfrewshire.  If your organisation is not listed, follow the onscreen instructions to have you details added.
• Want to build a list of local contacts? Then join us for the next RenSEN networking event.  It’s a great way to meet with other Renfrewshire-based social enterprises to exchange contact details, ideas, knowledge, experience, resources…etc.  
• Did you know you can search OSCR’s charity register by postcode or local authority area? (see image below)

• Search Social Enterprise Scotland’s listing of social enterprises by ‘Location’ – see image below

• Use the Advanced company search feature on Companies House to find organisations registered in your area, or by company structure e.g. SCIO, CIC, Company Limited by Guarantee etc.  See image below

30 October (09:30) - Join us for the next event in our ‘Renfrewshire Local Business’ series

The Renfrewshire Local Business event will provide potential suppliers with an opportunity to meet buyers from Renfrewshire Council, the University of the West of Scotland, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to find out what types of goods, services, or works they are looking to buy.
 
The event is open to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses based in Renfrewshire. So, whether you are a sole trader, limited company, partnership, supported business, or third sector organisation, you will have the opportunity to introduce your business and explain what goods, services, or works you can offer to the public sector.
 
This event is all about connecting Renfrewshire’s businesses with real opportunities in the public sector. By coming along, you will gain valuable insights into how to access contracts, build relationships with buyers, and explore opportunities that could help your business grow and thrive. Business support will be available from Business Gateway, Supplier Development Programme, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Business.
 
Venue: Tweedie Hall, 17 Bridge St, Linwood, Paisley PA3 3DB
Date: Thursday 30th October 2025
Time: 9.30am
 
This FREE networking event gives your business the opportunity to:

• Meet face-to-face with a variety of public sector services and buyers
• Discover upcoming contract, supply chain, and sub-contracting opportunities in Renfrewshire
• Gain insight into buyers’ requirements during table discussions with category buying teams.
• Opportunity to connect with key contacts in your sector
• Learn about the free tendering support available to local businesses from our business support partners and PCS surgery
• Network with other local businesses

All Renfrewshire businesses and suppliers are welcome.

Please register in advance using the Eventbrite link below to secure your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renfrewshire-local-business-event-tickets-1700290597949?aff=oddtdtcreator  

Renfrewshire Community Transport are looking to increase our community membership, as it’s not just for minibus customers or drivers, it’s about shaping our local future transport.
 
https://www.rencommunitytransport.org/about-us/become-a-member/



 

https://www.bgateway.com/events

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills
09 October – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
10 October – TikTok and Instagram Reels (online / Business Gateway)
22 October – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
22 October – Using Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
27 October – Using Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
03 November – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
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)
02 December – Managing digital change (online / SCVO)



Governance & Leadership
22 October – Managing conflict and maintaining positive trustee relationships (online / SCVO)
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



Social Enterprise Essentials
09 October – Public Contract Scotland / Using PCS to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
10 October – Developing your sustainability (hybrid / Just Enterprise) Fees apply
15 October – Next Steps: Growing your social enterprise (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
21 October – Planning your bid: Time and resources (online / Supplier Development Programme)
22 October – Making the Ask Masterclass (online / Culture and Business Scotland) Fees apply
23 October - Cash Flow Forecasting and Budgeting (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire) To book your place call 0141 530 2406 / email: renfrewshire@bgateway.com
04 and 06 November – Measuring social impact (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
05 November – Introduction to social impact measurement (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
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
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)


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


Income Generation / Procurement
08 October – Sources of funding for charities and social enterprises (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
09 October – Using PCS to find and bid for opportunities (Public Contract Scotland) (online / Supplier Development Programme)
14 and 15 October – Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
28 October – Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
28 October – Investment Readiness (online / Just Enterprise)
18 November – Securing corporate sponsorships (online / Culture and Business Scotland) fees apply
27 November – Unlocking legacy support (online / Culture and Business Scotland) fees apply
21 January 2026 – Packaging your sponsorships (online / Culture and Business Scotland) Fees apply
28 January 2026 - Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)