RenSEN Newsletter - 09 September

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

• 11 September – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
• 16 September (free) – Trustee Legal Update (online / SCVO)
• 24 September Evening – Renfrewshire Women in Business Networking Event (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
• 29 September – Using Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
• 07 October – Introduction to business planning (online / Just Enterprise)
• Just Enterprise e-learning courses – These e-learning modules from Just Enterprise are free to access and available whenever you are, 24/7.

RenSEN In-person Networking Event – 11 September (6:30pm-8:30pm)

Paisley Start-up Street, 65 George Street, Paisley.  PA1 2JY

Join us on Thursday 11 September at 6:30pm for 2-hours of peer-to-peer support, networking, plus the latest news from the world of social enterprise support …all that and biscuits so not to be missed!  To book your place contact Iain Cunningham, Social Enterprise Officer, Engage Renfrewshire. 

Funding Opportunities

• Closing soon…Scottish Edge Competition – Apply now for the Social Enterprise Edge Award.  Applications for Edge’26 close 10 September.  
• Fundraising Course - The organisation Fundraising Everywhere is offering a digital fundraising course (sponsored by Just Giving).  The course commences January 2026 – but you need to apply to join the programme and the submission date for applications is 5pm on 12 September 2025.  Places are limited.  To learn more click on this link where you’ll find details on how to apply plus a recording of their recent Q&A session.
• Community Tourism - Involved with community tourism? DTAS is hosting a learning exchange on 19 September.  Full details here: Cross-Sector Community Learning Exchange: Community Tourism Tickets, Fri, Sep 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
• Scotland’s Climate Week – 29 September to 05 October.  Useful resources incl. Net Zero Nation, Business Energy Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful
• SEN meetings - The next meeting of the Community Spaces Social Enterprise Network is taking place on Wednesday 01 October (13:30 – 14:30) – and the theme of the session is Community Asset Transfer and Facilities Management.  To book your place, click here: From Idea to Ownership: Community Asset Transfer & Facilities Management - Social Enterprise Scotland
• #tickthebox campaign - Join the #tickthebox campaign as part of this year’s Gift Aid Awareness Day (09 October).  Click on link to find out more.
• Local Event - Strengthening Opportunities for Older People in Renfrewshire - Renfrewshire Seniors forum, ROAR Connections for Life, Renfrewshire HSCP and Renfrewshire Council are hosting this event on Monday 10 November 2025 1-3pm in the Lagoon Arena Leisure Centre, Paisley.

Dates for your Diary

• 23 to 24 September – Scottish Fundraising Conference (Chartered Institute of Fundraising) – This year’s conference is taking place in Glasgow.  Find out more here
• 27 November - Scotland’s Towns Conference - The 2025 conference will take place at the Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC) in Glasgow! Registration form here

RenSEN Question – “We need new Board members!”

• Visit the RenSEN Online Resources webpage for more information
• SCVO – Things to consider when recruiting and inducting new Board members
• OSCR – Guidance on recruiting charity trustees
• Advertise for Board members through Engage Renfrewshire
• Digital Trustees – Match-making events to help charities recruit tech professionals to their board.  Click on the link to find out more: recruit a digital trustee
• SCVO Trustee Network – Links to online resources including Goodmoves
• Just Enterprise – Deliver webinars on range of related topics incl. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion recruitment practices, developing board members, Board skills audit, recruiting board members.  Contact Just Enterprise for news on upcoming webinars (Tel: 0300 302 3333 admin@justenterprise.org).

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills
11 September – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
18 September – Introduction to CANVA (online / Business Gateway)
22 September – Using Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
22 September – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
23 September – Why your organisation needs a blog (online / Business Gateway)
23 September – Building an effective digital strategy (online / Third Sector Lab)
29 September – Using Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
06 October – How to use CANVA (online / Business Gateway)
06 October - How to write engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
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)
02 December – Managing digital change (online / SCVO)



Governance & Leadership
11 September – Leadership for wellbeing (online / Business Gateway)
16 September – Trustee Legal Update (online / SCVO)
18 September – Strategic planning for social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)
24 September (Evening) – Renfrewshire Women in Business (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
02 October – Preparing for change: managing redundancy with clarity (online / SCVO)
22 October – Managing conflict and maintaining positive trustee relationships (online / SCVO)
02 December – Good governance: Board and staff relationships (online / SCVO) Fees apply



Social Enterprise Essentials
10 September – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
17 September - Working with corporates (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
18 September – Bookkeeping essentials (online / Business Gateway)
18 September Evening – Strategic planning for social enterprises (online / Just Enterprise)
20 and 21 September - SMART Marketing strategy for social enterprises (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
24 September – Increasing your profitability to grow your business (online / Business Gateway)
24 September Evening – Renfrewshire Women in Business Networking Event (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
25 September – How to generate sales (online / Business Gateway)
25 September – How to deliver low cost high impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
27 September – Marketing for hospitality (online / Business Gateway)
Commences 30 September – Winning grants from Trusts and Foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
30 September – Working with the public sector: All you need to know (online / Supplier Development Programme)
30 September – Build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
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
25 November and 26 November – Measuring social value (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
13 November – Public Contract Scotland / Using PCS to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
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



Business Planning
18 September – Business Planning: Renfrewshire (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
07 October – Introduction to business planning (online / Just Enterprise)


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


Income Generation / Procurement
17 September – Working with corporates (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
17 September – How to win contracts and service level agreements (online / SCVO) Fees apply
23 September – Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)
Commences 25 September – Introduction to fundraising (online / SCVO) fees apply
30 September – Unlocking Social Investment (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
30 September – Winning grants from trust and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) fees apply
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)