RenSEN Newsletter - 20 October

• General Data Protection Regulation with BTO Solicitors (17.11) - Join us and BTO Solicitors to discuss all things GDPR...perfect if you're looking for an introduction or refresher! This in-person workshop will cover GDPR essentials e.g. collecting and processing personal data lawfully, assessing and containing data breaches effectively, steps to help avoid data breaches and how to respond to subject access requests - plus a Q&A session.  Workshop starts at 10am.  Spaces are limited so book via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-or-refresher-to-gdpr-tickets-2003289853880?aff=oddtdtcreator
•  Upcoming workshops - Here's a selection...Recruiting Board Members (26.10), Practical guide to AI for non-profits (28.10), Risk Management (29.10), Meet the funder: Cora Foundation (03.11), Goal setting: Turn your plans into action (18.11)
• Trustee's Week 09-13 November 2026 - OSCR webinars listed here 
• Funding opportunities – Business Development Grant (Renfrewshire Council), Social Enterprise Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council), Business Restart Loan (Renfrewshire Council).

I need help with...networking

• Learn the basics with these top tips from Business Gateway and the Federation of Small Businesses 
• Hone your skills with these workshops...Pitching and presenting your business (21.10) / Create a business, people remember (13.11) / Using LinkedIn to build visibility and generate leads (03.11) 
• Remember practice makes perfect... here's upcoming networking events: Renfrewshire Women in Business (in-person on 21.10 and 18.11), Pitch and Roll networking event with Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce (04.11).  Renfrewshire Social Enterprise Network (RenSEN) (19.11)...and the Renfrewshire Business Network meet regularly throughout the year. 
• Thematic networks...CICs Connect is a network specifically for Community Interest Companies hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland (22.10). NB: To join the network, CICs must be members of Social Enterprise Scotland.  Not a member? You can register here.  Membership is free to those with turnover below £250k.

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills
21 October - Why your business needs a blog (online / Business Gateway)
22 October - 10 everyday business tasks made easier with AI (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
22 October - Get Online Week: An introduction to digital inclusion for the voluntary sector (online / SCVO)
23 October - Remaining visible in an AI landscape (online / Business Gateway)
28 October - Getting started with Xero (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
28 October - Practical guide to AI for non-profits (online / SCVO)
03 November - Using LinkedIn to build visibility and generate leads (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
03 November - Responsible AI in practice (online / Third Sector Lab)
17 November - Grow your reach with Instagram (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
03 December - What you need to know before building a website (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
08 December - How to use AI in everyday work (online / Third Sector Lab)
09 December - Making tax digital, what small businesses need to know (online / Business Gateway)
21 December - Introduction AI in your social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)



Governance & Leadership
26 October - Recruiting new board members (online / Just Enterprise)
Starting 25 November - Trustees for impact: Practical governance in action (online / SCVO) Fees apply
10 November - Being a Trustee: The Basics (online / OSCR)
12 November - Understanding Board Dynamics (online / OSCR)
Starting 25 November - Trustees for impact: Practical governance in action (online / SCVO) Fees apply



Facilities Management
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
21 October - Pitching and presenting your business (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
21 October - Renfrewshire Women in Business networking event (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
21 October - How to start a business: the basics (online / Business Gateway)
22 October – In-house fundraising training (online / SCVO) join waiting list
22 October (member only event) CICs Connect: Networking event (online / Social Enterprise Scotland - Not a member? Click here) 
28 October - Bookkeeping essentials (online / Business Gateway)
28 October and 4 November - Neurodiversity: from awareness to action (online / SCVO) Fees apply
29 October - Risk Management (online / Just Enterprise)
29 October - From data to impact (online / Third Sector Lab)
29 October - How to delivery high impact marketing at low cost (online / Business Gateway) 
03 November - Meet the funder: Cora Foundation (online / SCVO)
11 and 18 November - Introduction to project management (online / SCVO) Fees apply
13 November - Create a business, people remember (building a stronger brand) (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
18 November - Goal setting: Turn your plans into action (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
18 November - Renfrewshire Women in Business networking event (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
19 November - Funding Fundamentals: Thinking like a funder (online / SCVO) Fees apply
24 November - Funding Fundamentals: Writing strong progress reports (online / SCVO) Fees apply
01 December - Meet the funder: Aviva Foundation (online / SCVO)
02 December - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
07 December - Using Canva for better marketing (online / Business Gateway)


Volunteering
Engage Renfrewshire – Volunteering Service
Volunteer Scotland - Find links to online training here


Business Planning
19 November - Charity sector trends and opportunities (online / Third Sector Lab)
14 December - Strategic planning for social enterprises (online / Just Enterprise)


Monitoring and Evaluation
29 October - Resource Session: Gathering and analysing secondary evidence (online / Evaluation Support Scotland)



Income Generation / Procurement
22 October - Interpreting financial statements (online / Just Enterprise)
22 October - How to generate and increase sales (online / Business Gateway) 
23 November - Know your numbers (online / Just Enterprise)
30 November – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)