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Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network - August Newsletter
Welcome
Dear Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network,
I hope you are all well!
The last month of summer is here, and we are gearing up for the the reopening of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Now in it's sixth year, the fund opens on the 18th September- and in the lead up we are hosting a number of information sessions for those groups who might be new to the fund, or who would like a refresher.
We will also be offering training sessions to support you to write your application, as well as to manage your project's budget and evaluation throughout the year.
Scroll down to see all the opportunities we have for you this autumn- along with a network meeting at The Tannahill Centre, right here is Ferguslie!
Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network
Thursday 17th September, 1pm-3pm
The Tannahill Centre, 76 Blackstoun Road, Paisley PA3 1NT
Wheelchair accessible, accessible toilets, car park and bus stop nearby
Join us for the next Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network meeting, an afternoon of speakers and networking ahead of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund's year 6 opening. Engage will share a funding update, plus there'll be time for attendees to share updates about their own work and connect with others. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
Click here to register to join the RWN meeting in September
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund- Single Year Information Sessions
Wednesday 26th August, 1pm-2pm; Thursday 27th August, 6pm-7pm; Monday 31st August, 2pm-3pm
Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS (in-person) or online via Teams
Wheel Chair Access, Nearby Parking; Accessible toilets
The Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund reopens for its 6th year. Join an info session to learn about eligibility criteria, funding limits, application timelines, and monitoring requirements. Ideal for new applicants and third sector organisations unfamiliar with the process. Time for questions included.
Click here to register to join a session In Person
Click here to register to join a session Online
Pachedu Multicultural Hub - Rediscover Africa 2026
Saturday 12th September 2026 11am to 5pm
The Tannahill Centre 76 Blackstoun Rd, Paisley PA3 1NT
Accessible Parking; Wide Doorways; Ground Floor Access / Step free; Automated Doors; Accessible Bathrooms; Dietary options labelled clearly (Vegan, Halal, Kosher); Public Transport Access; Baby Changing facility; Changing Places facility
Rediscover Africa is a vibrant cultural celebration showcasing the richness, diversity, and heritage of African communities. Through music, dance, fashion, food, and storytelling, the event brings people together to promote inclusion, cultural understanding, and community connections.
Open to all. Volunteers are also currenly sought to support the delivery of the day.
Microsoft Forms Volunteer Sign Up Form
Dementia Friendly Lochwinnoch - Singing for Wellbeing
with Daniela Hathaway
Monday 7th September 1.30-3pm
Lochwinnoch Bowling Club PA12 4AL Calderhaugh Lane
Wide Doorways
This is the first of our singing for Wellbeing sessions after the Summer. The session is lead by the wonderful Daniela Hathaway. The session starts with a cup of tea/coffee and some social chat followed by an hour of fun singing. You don't need any singing or musical talent to join in and benefit from our group. We charge £3 for the session.
St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Abbeycare Buddies
Wednesday Evenings from 6pm until 9pm
Marbill Coaches Stadium, St Mirren Park, Greenhill Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA3 1RU
Accessible Parking ; Lift access; Public Transport Access
A free community hub supporting people on their journey to recovery from addiction. Drop In Sessions no sign up needed.
FFIT (Football Fans in Training)
Women's sessions begin on Monday 14th September, 6.30pm-8pm | Men's sessions begin on Wednesday 16th September, 6.30pm-8pm
Marbill Coaches Stadium, St Mirren Park, Greenhill Road, PA3 1RU
Accessible Parking ;Lift access;Public Transport Access;
Get fitter, happier & healthier for FREE! FFIT is for men & women, aged 35 to 65. You will gain knowledge and confidence to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Over 13 weeks you’ll learn how to balance your diet, manage your weight & gradually increase your physical activity. FFIT also helps to improve mental fitness and resilience, while encouraging positive habits.
Find out more on the St Mirren website
Kairos Women+ Nothing About Us Without Us
Accessible Transport Guide Launch
Friday 18th of September 12.30pm-2.30pm
Unit 56-60, Embroidery Mill, Abbey Mill Business Centre, Paisley PA1 1TJ
Hearing loop; Ground Floor Access / Step free; Automated Doors; Public Transport Access
Join us for the launch of our Accessible Transport Guide co-produced by our disabled-led group. This event is for people with disabilities and long-term conditions and those working with these communities. At the launch, you can hear directly from the group, take the Access Guide away with you and connect with local organisations.
If you have any access requirements or would like to discuss accessibility before attending, please let us know when booking or get in touch with us directly.
Wellbeing News
Renfrewshire Ladies Social Group Nominated for Award ????
The Renfrewshire Ladies Social Group has been nominated for the
‘Age Scotland Member Group of the Year’ Award.
Winners will be announced in September 2026.
Brick Lane Music Academy - New Project!
Brick Lane Music Academy are pleased to announce a new project thanks to the SURE Fund, aiming to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug related harm in Renfrewshire. From September, we will offer workshops in music, art, film, comedy and more, supporting your recovery journey and working towards a Festival in May 2027. Sign up with this link, or reach out for more info.
Email Brick Lane for more information
Training and Funding
Renfrewshire Council - Community Benefits Donation to Support Digital Inclusion during DigiKnowVember
Closing: Friday 28 August 2026 at 5pm
Renfrewshire-based third sector, voluntary, community and charitable organisations are invited to apply for a £1,000 financial donation to help people build digital confidence, develop new skills as part of this year’s Digital Inclusion Festival “DigiKnowVember”.
Full details, including eligibility and how to apply can be found via the link below.
Information and application via MS Forms
Agnes Hunter Trust SCIO
The Agnes Hunter Trust SCIO was established in 1954 to support registered charities delivering health and social welfare projects in Scotland. The Trust now focuses on one key area of funding support: offering grants to charities that support disabled people in Scotland.
Service provision will focus on providing opportunities and enabling people to lead fulfilling lives. This may include activities that offer advice, information and support, or life-skills, volunteering and employability training.
Applicant charities may assist with a wide range or specific groups of people, for example those living with mental ill health, cancer, physical and sensory impairments and long-term health conditions, as well as people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and other neurodivergent people.
Next deadline: 27th August 2026.
Information via SCVO's Funding website
Writing Successful Funding Applications
Tuesday 8th September, Thursday 10th September, Tuesday 22nd September, Thursday 24th September, 10am-1pm
Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS
Wheel Chair Access, Nearby Parking; Accessible toilets
Practical training for third sector organisations and community groups on writing strong funding applications. Covers understanding funders' priorities, writing clear outcomes, evidencing need, creating realistic budgets, and using AI safely. Ideal for those with limited experience wanting to build confidence. In-person only, limited spaces.
Press here to register for the training
Let's Evaluate! - Free Evaluation Training for Third Sector Members
Wednesdays 21st October, 18th November & 25th November, 10am-4pm
Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS
Accessible venue, hearing loop
A free three-workshop programme by Evaluation Support Scotland, helping third sector organisations demonstrate their impact through setting outcomes, choosing evaluation methods, and reporting for funders. Normally £370pp, free to members. Limited to 16 places, one per organisation; attendees must commit to all three sessions with line manager agreement.
Email info@engagerenfrewshire.com to request the sign-up form.
Bookkeeping Training - In person and online session available
In-person: Thursday 3rd September, 10am-12pm | Online: Thursday 1st October, 6-7pm
Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS (in-person only)
Wheel Chair Access, Nearby Parking; Accessible toilets
Basic bookkeeping training for community groups and organisations, covering accounting records, restricted funds, charity accounts, financial statements and reserves, budgets, and financial policies and procedures. 1:1 support available at the end of the session.
Click here to register to join the session In-person
Press here to register for the session online
RAMH - Mental Health Awareness - Online Training
Friday 21st August 9.30am - 12 noon
Introduction to Mental Health Awareness training (2.5 Hours online). Provides a practical introduction to mental health, helping participants understand common conditions, reduce stigma, promote positive wellbeing, and build the confidence to support others through open, compassionate conversations. £60 per person
RAMH - Scotland's Mental Health First Aid Course
Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October 2026, 9.30am-4.30pm both days
RAMH HQ, 41 Blackstoun Road, Paisley, PA3 1LU
Accessible Parking; Ground Floor Access / Step free; Ramp - Wheel Chairs ; Accessible Bathrooms; Public Transport Access; Gender-neutral toilets
Scotland's Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) is a nationally certificated 12-hour course delivered over two days. Suitable for anyone, it builds the knowledge and confidence to recognise mental health problems, respond to crises, provide initial support, and signpost people to appropriate help using practical, interactive learning. £150 per person
Sandyford Sexual Health Services - Supporting Adults Living with a Learning Disability on Relationships and Sexual Health
3 Day Course: 25th and 26th November 2026 and 25th February 2027
(all 9:30am - 4pm)
The View House for an Art Lover, 10 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow G41 5BW
Accessible Parking; Ramp - Wheel Chairs; Lift access; Accessible Bathrooms
Do you support adults with a learning disability? Become a Relationships & Sexual Health Link Worker. You will help lead this work within your team, know where to access specialist advice and services, and join a network of NHS and third sector colleagues. Link Workers meet four times a year for updates, support and shared learning. Find more information by clicking here.
Asks & Offers
More Than Her Mindset
I'm looking for a small number of teams /organisations to pilot my new resilience workshop. As a Wellbeing & Resilience Coach with a background in Mental Health Nursing, I've developed a practical workshop to help teams better understand pressure, strengthen resilience and support wellbeing. Pilot pricing in exchange for honest feedback. Get in touch!
hello@morethanhermindset.co.uk
Engage Renfrewshire/Renfrewshire HSCP Smoking and Vaping Prevention Project
Does your organisation provide support to people? We would like to understand staff experiences of supporting people who smoke cigarettes. Your feedback will help us identify any barriers that may prevent staff from referring people to stop smoking services to better shape the support we can provide to make it easier for you to support people to access the service.
Click this link to go to the MS Forms Survey
Renfrewshire Council - Multilingual Money Advice
Renfrewshire Council have leaflets and posters about money advice in Polish, Ukrainian, Arabic, Farsi and Sorani (Kurdish). The posters and leaflets signpost to Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau and Advice Works. If your organisation would like any leaflets or posters to display please get in touch with Astrid on Astrid.Smallenbroek@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Renfrewshire Ladies Social Group
I’m looking for a venue with a screen for a group talk on Scottish women’s history for either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in October.
Can anyone help? Thanks. Email Rachael here
Network Member Showcase
Down's Syndrome Scotland
Down's Syndrome Scotland is the go-to charity supporting people with Down's syndrome and their families across Scotland, at every age and stage of life. In Renfrewshire, they support 42 members through FriendZ Space social sessions, an Inclusive Employment Programme helping members into meaningful work, a Family Support Service for families in crisis, and Choir 21. They also run CPD-accredited training for local professionals and information sessions for parents.