RenSEN Newsletter - 29 October

Social Enterprise News

• Supply Chain Event on 30 October (09:30) Tweedie Hall, Linwood – With presentations from the heads of procurement from some of Renfrewshire’s largest public sector purchasers; Renfrewshire Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and University of the West of Scotland. The event will focus on understanding tender requirements and will highlight public sector opportunities for local SME's.  Book link here: https://forms.office.com/e/71Sd6Y2xri
• Supplier Development Programme – Online workshops taking place in November include: How to find and bid for opportunities, and Getting your business tender ready.  Find the full list of workshops here.
• Free training is available to help social enterprises write compelling bids for support through NHS Scotland’s Community Benefit Portal.  Full details and booking link can be found here. 
• 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.
• Renfrewshire is hosting DigiKnowVember, 4th-8th November, for a week of digital inclusion events both in person & online. A number of organisations are taking part, leading the way in digital inclusion and support for our citizens. Find out more

King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Each year, the outstanding the work of voluntary organisations across the UK is celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and it is awarded for life.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 round! To find out more about eligibility and nominating a local group near you, click here.

KAVS nominations for the 2025 Award will close on 1 Dec 2024.

Dates for your diary

• 05 November – How to be heard – an online webinar hosted by Community Woodland Association to help woodland groups connect with their audiences
• 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.
• 21 November – Social Enterprise Day
• 18 – 24 November – Global Entrepreneurship Week

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.

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

Enhancing Digital Skills
31 October – AI for your social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)
01 November – How to plan and schedule online content (online / Business Gateway)
05 November – Introduction to business websites (online / Business Gateway)
05 November – Social Media Essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
06 November – Understand how your website performs with Google Analytics (online / Business Gateway)
06 November – Social Media Essentials: LinkedIn (online / Business Gateway)
07 November – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
11 November – Why your business needs a blog (online / Business Gateway)
12 November – How to create engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
20 November – Social Media Essentials: Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
21 November – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
26 November – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)
30 November – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
13 February 2025 – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)

 
Governance & Leadership
12 November – Social Media Fundamentals (online / SCVO) Fees apply
19 November – Recruiting New Board Members (online / Just Enterprise)
03 December – Adapt and develop your management skills (online / SCVO) Fees apply
17 December Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (online / Just Enterprise) 
16 January 2025 – Aspiring or New Leaders (in-person / Just Enterprise)
27 January 2025 – Developing a coaching approach to leadership (online / Just Enterprise)


Social Enterprise Essentials
31 October – Introduction to business strategy (online / Business Gateway)
05 December – Comms and marketing made easy (online / SCVO) Fees apply


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


Business Planning
16 January - Introduction to Business Planning (online / Just Enterprise)


Monitoring and Evaluation
07 November – Plan, Measure and Report Social Impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Income Generation/Procurement
05 November – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
07 November - Unlocking social investment (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs)
14 November – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
21 November – Develop your fundraising skills (online / SCVO) Fees apply
03 December – Investment Readiness (online / Just Enterprise)
28 January 2025 – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
04 February 2025 Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)
11 February 2025 – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
18 March 2025 – Funding business growth (online / Just Enterprise)