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Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network - November Newsletter
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Crochet pumpkins made in one of the craft workshops run by network member St. Vincent's Hospice.
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Welcome
Dear Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network,
I hope you are all well!
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which also launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
This Thursday, 27th November, people will gather to march through Paisley Town Centre to Reclaim the Night, walking together for all women and girls to feel safe in our streets, especially as the evenings grow darker. If you’d like to join, the march sets off from outside the University of the West of Scotland’s entrance on Paisley High Street at 5.45pm.
Within the Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network, we’re proud to have many incredible members groups that support women, whether they are facing crisis, seeking ongoing support, or looking for a sense of community. These include Jubilee House, Renfrewshire Women's Aid and Kairos Women+ and many more.
As always our newsletter is brimming with news, opportunities and events from across Renfrewshire.
Enjoy!
Dates-n-Mates Christmas Party
Tuesday 9th December, 7pm-10pm
Gabriels, 33 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1EX
Wheelchair accessible
Join us for the Dates-n-Mates Renfrewshire Christmas Party on 9th December at Gabriels, Paisley, from 7pm–10pm! Enjoy a fun festive night with a buffet, raffle, music and dancing. Tickets are £10 for members, £12 for non-members, and £3 for support staff. Come along and celebrate the season with friends old and new!
Any questions contact 0141 427 2957
Star Project - Festive Workhops
12-14 Wallace Street, Paisley, PA3 2BU
Accessible access via yard to back door call for directions (0141 889 5850)
Join our resident artist Britta Benson for three sessional workshops:
Thursday 4th December, 12.30 -2.30pm
Explore the reuse of unwanted books into book sculptures for keeping or gifting. You can choose to make an angel, Christmas tree or hedgehog which can be personalised with poems, name plaques or messages.
This gentle craft session will leave you with plenty of inspiration for future projects.
Thursday 9th December, 12.30 - 2.30pm
Join a workshop where we will make pop up Christmas cards and tree ornaments, using collage and black out poetry.
Monday 15th January 2026 12.30 - 2.30pm
Join us for a workshop making our nests for 2026.
A gentle craft session ,making wee nests from shredded paper, twigs, recycled materials and then think about our hopes and hopes for the coming year.
V for Life - Vegan Christmas Finger Food & Nibbles Online Masterclass
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Friday 10th December, 11am-12.30pm
Online
Get ready to impress your guests this holiday season with our vegan Christmas finger food masterclass! Join us online for a fun, interactive session where you’ll learn to create delicious plant-based nibbles that wow at festive gatherings. Perfect for seasoned chefs or beginners, this masterclass adds cruelty-free flair to your Christmas spread and elevates your holiday cooking game.
Book tickets for the session here
We Are All Renfrewshire pledge
The “We Are All Renfrewshire” pledge, created by local groups and neighbours, affirms Renfrewshire as a place of welcome, safety and dignity for all to offer reassurance and show our shared community values.
Residents and organisations are invited to read the pledge, add their name, download and share the image, and display it publicly as a visible symbol of unity and inclusion.
Nehemiah
Tuesdays and Fridays
3 Dunlop Street, Renfrew (YMCA building next to Town Hall)
Nehemiah has expanded! Alongside our Recovery Café on a Friday morning we are now offering further activities to individuals with drug / alcohol dependencies. This includes a music group and creative writing group. Our 12-week groupwork programme Pilings is also running again. Service and self-referrals welcome. For more information please don’t hesitate to be in touch: hope@nehemiah.org.uk
The Stroke Association
The Stroke Association is the UK’s only charity providing lifelong support for stroke survivors and their families. Each year, we offer tailored support to local residents, fund vital research, and campaign for the best care. Click below to discover how we can help, including our phone helpline and one-to-one support for anyone affected by stroke.
Training
Young People and Vaping- Awareness Session
Thursday 4th December 1-3pm
Online on Microsoft Teams
Staff and volunteers in Renfrewshire who work with young people are invited to join this online awareness session on Young People and Vaping. The session will provide up-to-date, evidence-based information on the harms associated with vaping, the environmental impacts, and current trends and usage among young people. Participants will gain knowledge and practical guidance to help young people make informed choices that support their health and wellbeing
Funding
‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Catalyst Award.
Deadline: 4th December 2025
The awards are designed to support community led research. The awards are available to cover eligible costs arising from a defined research project.
Funding will be provided to support new and existing research projects that promote the health of individuals through fostering healthy environments and communities, and enabling access to healthy foods.
The Williamson Trust and RSE are looking to award demonstrator pilot-scale projects led by community-based individuals or organisations, who would each receive an award amount of up to £5,000 to conduct a research project for up to 12 months.
The Improving Access Fund
Deadline: Monday 19th January 2026
The fund is run by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, supports peer-led, disabled‑people-led organisations to boost equality and inclusion. With £1.5 million available, the Fund helps improve financial security, promote full participation, and expand accessible mental health peer support.
Grants of up to £80,000 (or £5,000 for unincorporated groups) are available
More information on how to apply
Every newsletter we will showcase two groups from across the network. If you want to be featured here for a specific month please get in touch.
Street Connect - Renfrewshire
Street Connect supports adults struggling with drug/alcohol addiction and related issues like social isolation and poor mental health. Working with local church partners, it offers holistic, person-centred support addressing causes of addiction, homelessness, poverty, trauma, and results such as poor physical & mental health and social isolation.
The team meets people through street outreach and drop-ins where they receive a warm, non-judgemental welcome. Street Connect provides one-to-one and group recovery support, supported referrals for rehab and wellbeing issues, and job/life skills training. Post-rehab, it offers 3 move-on flats for participants to learn how to maintain recovery in the community.
The Preshal Trust
The Preshal Trust aims to support vulnerable individuals and families to overcome social exclusion, poverty, deprivation, addictions, physical disability, mental health illness and other complex issues.
It operates a community-based drop-in facility for local residents Monday to Friday and offers a wide range of diversionary activities that aid recovery, build confidence and encourage active citizenship, including cooking, baking, IT, photography, literacy, numeracy, woodwork, knitting, sewing, yoga, line dancing and art sessions.
The Preshal Trust also provides weekly lunch clubs, daily breakfasts, food bank provision, a Paisley outreach hub and a caravan offering families the opportunity of a break.
Find out more