Engage Newsletters
Keep up to date with Engage Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network - February Newsletter
Welcome
Dear Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network,
With the days slowly getting longer and snowdrops and crocuses starting to peek through, we’re looking ahead to the Network’s upcoming Development Day.
This year, we’re putting the focus on staff and volunteer wellbeing. So many of us spend our time supporting others, and it can be easy to forget about ourselves in the process- sometimes leading to burnout or compassion fatigue. During the day, we’ll explore how we can build cultures of wellbeing within our organisations. We’ll hear from network members about how they support their teams, share practical ideas, and look at simple strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
The day will offer space to reflect, learn from one another, and hopefully come away with some useful ideas to try in your own setting.
As always, there will be plenty of time built in for networking and sharing updates, to spark new ideas and strengthen relationships across Renfrewshire.
The event will take place March 25th, 10.30am - 4pm at The Wynd Centre. Click below for more details and to register.
Please note, pre-registration is essential.
Click here to sign up for the Development Day
As usual, the newsletter is brimming with events, news, and funding and training opportunities.
This month, a few groups are reaching out to connect with members, you can find their submissions in the 'Asks 'n Offers' section.
Enjoy!
Network Events
Tackling Tobacco & Vaping Together
Thursday 12th March, 10am- 12pm
Tweedie Hall, Linwood
Disabled parking available in the car park. Tweedie Hall is a fully accessible building with level access and a lift to all floors. If you have any other accessibility requirements, please get in touch.
Renfrewshire HSCP Health Improvement Team are hosting an in person event aimed at staff working in organisations across Renfrewshire who are interested in tobacco and vaping prevention work taking place both locally and nationally.
This event will provide an opportunity to:
- Share updates on progress since our last stakeholder event in Feb 2023
- Highlight current information and available resources
- Support shared learning and discussion across tobacco and vaping work
- Gain insight into areas requiring further support and input
Further details will be shared in due course. For now, please register your interest using the link below.
For more details contact kwilkinson@engagerenfrewshire.com
Click here to register your interest the event
Dates-n-Mates Renfrewshire
Glynhill Hotel and Spa
Thursday 26th March, from 7pm to 10pm
Fully accessible
We will be celebrating 10 years in Renfrewshire with our Birthday Ceilidh at the Glynhill Hotel and Spa. Our star guest will be the Provost of Paisley, Lorraine Cameron. We will also be delivering 8 social events and activities in March, including a meal out, bowling, cinema club and a club night. ALL WELCOME, but call us on 0141 427 2957 to book your space
The Buddy Best- Music Jamboree for All
Tuesday 14th April, 11am- 1pm
Paisley St Georges Church, 82 Causeyside Street, Paisley PA1 1YP- enter VIA Stow Street side entrance
Wheelchair access/some disabled parking in Stow Street Car Park
Join the amazing The Buddy Beat for a free 2-hour drumming, percussion and singing music jamboree for anyone in the community. No experience is necessary, as community music making is for everyone. Lots of fun. Accompanied children are welcome.
Free refreshments will be available.
Please book your seat by emailing us tom.thebuddybeat@sky.com
RenCAN - Climate-Friendly Growing: Planting Tips for 2026
Thursday 5th March, 12pm-1.30pm
Paisley Central Library
Come along and find out lots of ways you can make sure your garden is climate-friendly this year! From nature-friendly pesticides to composting and seed saving, there are so many ways to grow in a sustainable way that's good for the planet and your pocket. Let Lucy Cunningham from NatureFix show you how it's done!
Lunch is provided. For more details email svenja@myleapproject.org
Fix & Mend Lochwinnoch (Monthly)
Wednesday 25th February, 6pm - 9pm
Wednesday 25th March, 6pm - 9pm
LEAP Workspace, 39 High Street, Lochwinnoch
Come and fix your broken items with a dedicated repairer on hand giving support and guidance.
Do you have any textiles in need of mending? Join our sewing corner, get peer advice and have a go at mending them.
Please register ahead of the session, registration can be found by visiting the website clicking the button below.
St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation - Menopause Goals
Starting 23rd April for 8 weeks
SMiSA Stadium, St Mirren Park, Greenhill Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA3 1RU
Our FREE Menopause Goals programme supports and empowers women aged 40+ who are experiencing menopause symptoms. Delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, each session covers a different topic, offering expert guidance, practical coping strategies, and a supportive space to help you better understand and manage your symptoms.
Living Life Event
Our programme of entertaining events for rest of the year is soon coming out. We are in the February programme, with March events to be launched in the coming days.
We run craft and musical workshops and March sees our popular local pop-up musical entertainment event in Paisley west end.
Click below to see details on Facebook as available.
Wellbeing News
ShopMobility Renfrewshire
We’re delighted to recognise ShopMobility Renfrewshire as our Centre of the Month for February. Supported by three staff and 65 dedicated volunteers, the centre serves over 656 members, with around 100 hires each month. Providing more than equipment, the team offers reassurance and advice. Special recognition goes to Margaret Dymond for her outstanding commitment.
Congratulations to the whole team.
Training and Funding
Ferguslie Learning Centre, West College Scotland - Confidence Building Course
Thursdays, 26th February- 2nd April, 9.30am -12pm
Ferguslie Learning Centre (near Tannahill Centre), 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS
Wheelchair access, disabled parking, ramp
Ready to boost your confidence and take on new challenges? This friendly and supportive course is designed to help adult learners build self-belief, improve communication skills, and feel more comfortable in everyday situations. No tests, no stress – just real growth.
For more information contact Kathleen Brown on 0141 842 1015
Kathleen.brown@wcs.ac.uk
SUSE is delighted to open registration to new online training courses for Renfrewshire Key workers.
How to be a Confident Service Provider
Monday 23rd February 9.30-11.30am
Gain an understanding of your legal responsibilities and how to confidently support people with vision impairments as a service provider or employer.
In-Work Support: Progression Discussions and Assessing Risk
Tuesday 3rd March 9.30am-12.30pm
Provide practical guidance to support service users’ progression and risk management in employment. Delivering in-work support; progression discussions; practical advice and guidance; career development and progression; identifying and mitigating workplace risks; scenario-based exercises. Support service users to progress and sustain employment. Assess and mitigate risk while enabling career development opportunities.
How to be a Confident Service Provider
Monday 9th Mar 9.30-11.30am
Gain an understanding of your legal responsibilities and how to confidently support people with vision impairments as a service provider or employer.
Action Planning for service users
Tuesday 17th March 9.30am-12.30pm
Enable key workers to create tailored, SMART action plans aligned with service users’ guides. Techniques for identifying service users’ goals and aspirations; methods for developing SMART action plans; practical exercises on tailoring plans to individual needs.
SURE Fund - Note of Interest
Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, in collaboration with Engage Renfrewshire, is delighted to launch a brand new community grants initiative – the SURE Fund.
The SURE Fund will provide a number of small grants (up to a max £20,000 per award) to support community-led activity that reduces alcohol and drug related harm, supports recovery and wellbeing, and builds stronger, more connected communities.
We’re particularly interested in projects that create positive opportunities for people to build skills, try something new, volunteer or connect with others, and those that engage young people in innovative ways to challenge stigma and open up conversations about alcohol and drugs.
Above all, we want to fund activity that reduces harm, supports recovery and wellbeing, values lived and living experience, and helps build stronger, safer and more connected communities over the longer term.
Register your Note of Interest here
Asks & Offers
Next Chapter Scotland
We are seeking local partners in Renfrewshire.
Having secured new funding to support local individuals and families affected by the criminal justice system, we are looking to connect with local community groups who might be supporting people who have been affected by the criminal justice system.
We can support with a variety of things, including:
- Housing
- Employment
- Defending your rights/advocacy
- Health
- Training for individuals and professionals on understanding service users rights and how to advocate for them
- Support upon release from Prison
- Supporting family members to support their loved one who is in prison with appeals, processes and other areas.
Contact shivon@nextchapterscotland.org.uk for more information
Network Member Showcase
Next Chapter Scotland
Next Chapter Scotland is a lived-experience-led charity founded in 2022. Shaped by people with direct or family experience of the justice system, it provides clear information, advocacy and non-judgemental support to those facing the consequences of criminal records or investigations. The organisation promotes wellbeing, challenges stigma, undertakes research and influences reform, and is now operating in Renfrewshire across Scotland’s communities and services with inclusive, trauma-responsive practice.
Find out more
Renfrew Development Trust
Renfrew Development Trust works to improve life in Renfrew, serving communities within the PA3 and PA4 postcode areas. It supports local development by strengthening physical, economic, social and cultural infrastructure, protecting the natural and built environment, and preserving important heritage sites. The trust also tackles unemployment, promotes education and skills development, and provides recreational facilities, helping residents build opportunities and improve their overall quality of life.
Find out more