RenSEN Newsletter - 25 August

• Free evaluation resources - Evaluation Support Scotland is running a series of online Resource Sessions, designed to help organisations make the most of their free evaluation forms and templates.  Find out more here  
• Meet the funder: Social Investment Funder (Foundation Scotland) - This online info session will focus on Foundation Scotland's Social Investment Fund 'and how it supports charities, social enterprises and community organisations across Scotland'. 
• Funding: Changing Places Toilets - Funding for organisations to 'develop and build fully accessible toilet facilities for people with complex disabilities'. 
• Renfrewshire Women in Business network will be meeting on 28 August at The Russell Institute. Booking required.
• Upcoming workshops - Here's a selection... Resource Session: Building EDI into self evaluation (27.08), Meet the funder: Foundation Scotland's Social Investment (01.09), Strategic planning for social enterprises (07.09), Governance MOT (17.09),  Exploring community bonds (23.09), Leases and lease agreements (24.09), Roles and responsibilities of directors and trustees (28.09), Introduction to tendering (29.09).
• Renfrewshire / Doors Open Days 2026 (05 & 06 September) - This year's theme is Heritage at risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.  Click here for more info 
• Inclusive Ownership - Have you heard about this new initiative to support communities across Scotland, Wales and England to explore, acquire and manage land and buildings for community benefit?
• Funding opportunities – Business Development Grant (Renfrewshire Council), Social Enterprise Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council), Business Restart Loan (Renfrewshire Council).

Enhancing Digital Skills
01 September - Introduction to AI (online / Business Gateway) 
01 September – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
02 September - Introduction to business websites (online / Business Gateway)
03 September - Building your website with Wix (online / Business Gateway)
03 September - Social media essentials: Tiktok and Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
15 September - Social media essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
16 September - How to develop engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
24 September - Introducing AI in your social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)
25 September - Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
21 December - Introduction AI in your social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)



Governance & Leadership
Starting 22 September (evening) - Trustees for impact: Practical governance in action (online / SCVO) Fees apply
28 September - Roles and responsibilities of directors and trustees (online / Just Enterprise)
Starting 28 September - Step into management: Voluntary sector essentials (online / SCVO) Fees apply
29 September - Aspiring or New Leaders (hybrid (Glasgow) / Just Enterprise)
26 October - Recruiting new board members (online / Just Enterprise)



Facilities Management
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
29 September - (Development Trusts) Facilities Management: Insurance overview (online / DTAS)
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
01 September - Meet the funder: Foundation Scotland's Social Investment Fund (online / SCVO)
03 September - Building your professional voice online (online / Third Sector Lab)
04 September - Turning conversations into customers (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
09 September - Bookkeeping essentials (online / Business Gateway) 
23 September - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
23 September - Renfrewshire Women in business network meeting (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire) 
23 September - Low cost high impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
29 September – Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September - Introduction to data protection and the GDPR (online / SCVO) Fees apply
06 October - Meet the funder: Easyfundraising (online / SCVO)
13 October - Winning grants from trusts and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
22 October – In-house fundraising training (online / SCVO) join waiting list
28 October and 4 November - Neurodiversity: from awareness to action (online / SCVO) Fees apply
29 October - Risk Management (online / Just Enterprise)
03 November - Meet the funder: Cora Foundation (online / SCVO)
11 and 18 November - Introduction to project management (online / SCVO) Fees apply
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


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


Business Planning
07 September - Strategic planning for social enterprises (online / Just Enterprise)
16 September – Building your business plan step by step (online / Business Gateway)
18 September - Understanding accounts (if you're not an accountant) (online / Business Gateway)
22 September - Introduction to business strategy (online / Business Gateway)
14 December - Strategic planning for social enterprises (online / Just Enterprise)


Monitoring and Evaluation
26 August - Evaluating policy influence (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
27 August - Resource Session: Building EDI into self evaluation (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) 
02 September - A practical approach to ethical storytelling (online / Third Sector Lab)
08 September - Let's Evaluate! Getting started (online / Evaluation Support Scotland)  Fees apply
15 September - Let's Evaluate! Make to measure (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
22 September - Let's Evaluate! Telling my story (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
23 September - Resource Session: Evaluation Checklist (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) 
29 October - Resource Session: Gathering and analysing secondary evidence (online / Evaluation Support Scotland)



Income Generation / Procurement
27 August - Pricing your services (online / Just Enterprise)
31 August – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
14 September - Funding business growth (online / Just Enterprise)
16 and 23 September - How to win contracts and service level agreements (online / SCVO) Fees apply
21 September - Know your numbers (online / Just Enterprise)
23 September - Exploring community bonds (online / Democratic Finance)
24 September - Bookkeeping essentials (online / Business Gateway)
29 September - Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September - Introduction to tendering (online / Just Enterprise)
07 October - Managing finances (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
08 October - Creating effective corporate partnerships (online / SCVO) Fees apply
14 October - Unlocking social investment (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
22 October - Interpreting financial statements (online / Just Enterprise)
23 November - Know your numbers (online / Just Enterprise)
30 November – Establishing a trading subsidiary