RenSEN Newsletter - 12 November

Social Enterprise News 

• Democratic Finance – Scottish Communities Finance Ltd and DTAS ‘have joined forces to create the Democratic Finance Scotland programme, which will support communities to be ‘agents of change’ by unlocking local wealth and control through democratic finance courses and tools’.  See link for full details.  
• Evaluation Support Scotland are offering free sessions on how to make the most of their online evaluation resources. Sessions are taking place on 21 November / 12 December.  See link for booking details.
• Digital Change-Makers – SCVO are hosting a series of meet-ups to discuss ‘new and emerging topics along with the challenges and issues’ re: Digital Change.  Topics include Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Attacks, Agile working.  First meet-up takes place online on 04 December.  See link for booking details. 
• Women and Boards - Social Enterprise Scotland will be hosting an online webinar to share ideas for encouraging more women onto Board Positions.  Booking required (see link).
• Interested in tendering? - Supplier Development Programme is delivering online workshops during in November on topics such as: How to find and bid for opportunities, Getting your business tender ready.  Find the full list of workshops here.  Want to learn at your own pace? Look at these Just Enterprise e-learning modules.
• Income generation - During November, Just Enterprise will be running workshops on Charitable Trading and Establishing a Trading Subsidiary.  If you can’t make these sessions, they’ll be running again in January (evening session) and February 2025.
• 3-D Printing Demonstrations – NMIS are offering 3-D printing demonstrations to encourage SMEs (including social enterprises) to better understand how cobotics and 3D printing can elevate their efficiency and innovation.
• Developing Facilitation Skills – This Social Enterprise Academy learning module aims to support agents of change in communities.  Next programme commences January 2025.  Click on the link for details.  Fees apply.
• Improving organisational sustainability – This Social Enterprise Academy online learning module aims to examine issues relating to organisational and financial sustainability.  Fees apply. To register click here
• A young person’s guide to starting a business – Start-up webinars for young people delivered by Business Gateway.  Dates in  November / December 2024  and February 2025
• Scottish Community Development Centre – Find out more about their online learning and resources such as Health Issues in the Community / Community Health Exchange / Communities Channel Scotland
• Single-use disposable beverage cup charge consultation – Link to the Scottish Government consultation made available via Scotland’s Towns Partnership website.

RenSEN Success Story

Another success for RenSEN member Shopmobility Renfrewshire! Earlier this year, the organisation carried out a comprehensive accessibility survey of Seedhill, Paisley.  As a result, two dropped kerbs are now located on Cyril Street to improve access to Williamsburgh Housing Association offices.  Shopmobility Renfrewshire worked with departments across Renfrewshire Council to implement findings from the survey and more dropped kerbs are now planned across the Seedhill area. 
 

Dates for your Diary 

• 11 -18 November Craft Week Scotland 
• 15 November – Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Awards (Ticketed event)
• 18 – 22 November – Co-production Week Scotland sharing ideas, learning and stories about how co-production put people and communities at the heart of support and services.
• 27 November – Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024 (in-person / Perth)
• 21 November – Social Enterprise Day 2024
• 21 November – Women in Business Renfrewshire: Overcoming barriers to success – In-person event hosted by Business Gateway Renfrewshire
• 18 – 24 November – Global Entrepreneurship Week

Your Ask/Your Offer

Ferguslie Community Development Trust Survey - RenSEN member, Ferguslie Community Development Trust, is currently preparing a Community Asset Transfer Request for St Ninian’s Church Hall (Blackstoun Road, Paisley).  As part of their activities, the Trust (with support from Community Enterprise Scotland) has developed an online survey to help gather ideas which will guide and influence the development of the building.  FCDT would welcome input from all RenSEN members and the wider community.  Please take some time to complete the online survey which can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/St-Ninians-Survey.  A hard-copy version of the questionnaire can be provided by contacting the Trust directly at info@fergusliecdt.org.uk.

Renfrew YMCA
Canal Lane, Renfrew – Have a sensory room, hot-desking space available plus full access to their Dunlop Street Building during week-day evenings.  View their venue hire brochure here.

Beechwood Community Centre – Are you looking for a space to deliver your activities? Beechwood Community Centre has space available on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 – 20:45. For a list of prices, contact the Beechwood Management Committee via email: traciemorrowbeechwoodcentre@yahoo.co.uk


Sewing 2gether all Nations
Sewing 2gether all Nations are excited to say they have been shortlisted as part of @LNER’s Customer and Community Investment Fund! 
How You Can Help: 
Vote for us to receive the grant. 
Share this email to spread the word.
So now it's over to you - please vote for our ‘Travel Empowerment Programme’  via the link https://surveys.perspectusglobal.com/?&id=7c7c3f6c39&id2=4996fc1f&lng=en-GB
HINT - We are listed under the "Better For People" Priority, and are 41st on the list!!


To have your Ask/Offer added or updated, please contact Iain Cunningham (Engage Renfrewshire) or Tania Morlan (Renfrewshire Council) and we’ll include it on the listing. 

Funding Updates

• Robertson Trust – Roberston Trust’s Small and Large Grant programmes have reopened.  Click here for more info.  View these watch-again webinars on how to apply to Wee Grants and Transport Grants.
• Women’s Fund for Scotland - Deadline for applications is 18 November.  Grants up to £5,000.  See link for full details.
• Firstport Grant / Build It – Online info sessions are scheduled for: 13 November  / 12 December /  07 January 2025 / 14 January 2025 / 21 January 2025 / 11 February 2025 / 20 March 2025 / 15 April 2025 / 22 April 2025
• Firstport Grant / Start It – Online surgeries to answer your questions about Firstport’s Start It programme.  Surgery dates are: 21 November / 10 December / 04 February 2025 / 11 March 2025 / 08 April 2025
• Unlocking the power of crowdfunding (27 November) – A free online Business Gateway webinar designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to effectively leverage crowdfunding for growth.  See link to book your place.

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

Free Upskilling Workshops for Renfrewshire's Social Enterprises and SMES in Cobotics and 3D Printing


Enhancing Digital Skills
19 November – Sustainable digital archives (online / Scottish Council on Archives Free)
20 November – Social Media Essentials: Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
21 November – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
21 November – An introduction to making AI work for you (online / Third Sector Lab)
21 November – Intro to digital marketing (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs Free)
26 November – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)
26 November – Building online communities (online / SCVO Free)
26 November – Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business (online / Business Gateway)
30 November – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
03 December – Social media essentials: LinkedIn (online / Business Gateway)
03 December – Introduction to AI for small business (online / Business Gateway)
04 December – How to create engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
04 December – Social media strategy for impact (online / Third Sector Lab)
04 December – Digital Change-makes Meet-up (online / SCVO Free)
05 December – ChatGPT for marketing (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
09 December – Social media essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
11 December – Developing an effective digital strategy (online / Third Sector Lab)
12 December – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
13 December – Social media: TikTok and Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
13 December – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
13 February 2025 – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)

 
Governance & Leadership
19 November – Recruiting New Board Members (online / Just Enterprise)
28 November – Evaluating policy influence (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
03 December – Adapt and develop your management skills (online / SCVO) Fees apply
04 December – New laws on disclosure: make sure you’re ready (online / SCVO Free)
05 December – Changes to charity law: How your trustees may be affected (online / SCVO Free)
17 December Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (online / Just Enterprise) 
16 January 2025 – Aspiring or New Leaders (in-person / Just Enterprise)
23 January 2025 – Good Governance: Culture and Values (online / SCVO) Fees apply
27 January 2025 – Developing a coaching approach to leadership (online / Just Enterprise) WAITING LIST IN OPERATION
28 January 2025 – Effective minute taking (online / SCVO) Fees apply
28 January 2025 – Women who made it to the boardroom (online / Social Enterprise Scotland)
30 January 2025 – Good Governance: Board and Staff Relationships (online / SCVO) Fees apply

Facilities Management
13 November – Meanwhile uses for old buildings (in-person / Scottish Historic Buildings Trust)
19 November – Traditional Building Maintenance (in-person / Historic Environment Scotland)
20 November - Keeping energy costs low (online / SCVO Free)


Social Enterprise Essentials
21 November – Climate resilience training for the third sector (online / Sniffer Free) WAITING LIST IN OPERATION
25 November – How to tell your sustainability story (online / SCVO Free)
28 November – How to deliver low-cost high-impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
04 December – Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
05 December – Comms and marketing made easy (online / SCVO) Fees apply
10 December – Taking the fear out of finance (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
18 December – A young person’s guide to starting a business (online / Business Gateway)
07 January 2025 – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
21 January 2025 – Introduction to GDPR (online / SCVO) Fees apply
21 February 2025 – Making friends with your finances (In-person Stirling / Just Enterprise)
25 February 2025 – Introduction to safeguarding (online / SCVO) Fees apply
26 February 2025 – A young person’s guide to starting a business (online / Business Gateway)
27 February 2025 – Be report-writing ready (online / SCVO) Fees apply
03 March 2025 – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
05 March 2025 – Working with corporates (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
18 March 2025 – Testing to improve service delivery (online / SCVO Free)
25 March 2025 – How to learn from mistakes (online / SCVO Free)


Volunteering
19 December – Quality Standards in Volunteering (online / Volunteer Scotland)
25 February – Meeting today’s volunteering challenges (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Business Planning
19 November – Business Gateway Drop-in Session (In-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire) 
20 November – Business Planning (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
29 November – Build your business plan step by step (online / Business Gateway)
12 December – Business Planning (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
16 January - Introduction to Business Planning (online / Just Enterprise)


Monitoring and Evaluation
21 and 28 January 2025 – Outcomes and Indicators (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
11 and 18 February 2025 – Evaluation methods (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
24 February 2025 – Plan, Measure and Report Social Impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply
04 and 11 March 2025 - Analysing and Reporting Outcomes (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply


Income Generation/Procurement
14 November – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
26 November – Using Public Contracts Scotland: How to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
21 November – Develop your fundraising skills (online / SCVO) Fees apply
03 December – Investment Readiness (online / Just Enterprise)
17 January 2025 – Budgeting for your organisation (online / Just Enterprise)
28 January 2025 EVENING – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
04 February 2025 - Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)
07 February 2025 – Sources of finance for charities and social enterprises (online/ School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
11 February 2025 – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
11 February 2025 – Working with the public sector: All you need to know (online / Supplier Development Programme)
18 February 2025 – Using Public Contracts Scotland: How to find and bid for opportunities (online / Supplier Development Programme)
25 February 2025 – Getting your business tender ready: The Checklist (online / Supplier Development Programme)
04 March 2025 – Introduction to tendering (online / Just Enterprise)
18 March 2025 – Funding business growth (online / Just Enterprise)