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Wellbeing Network News - January 2026
Welcome
Dear Renfrewshire Wellbeing Network,
Happy New Year!
I hope you’ve had a renewing, exciting or restful start to the year!
January promises new hope, fresh starts and seeding potential, but it is also a month that many of us can struggle with. As the days are still long and all the festive decorations have been packed away, some people might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Mental Health Foundation has a list of suggestions for what might help if you are struggling at this time of year, including:
- Get some light: Try to get outside each day, and open curtains or use lamps to brighten your space.
- Lightbox if needed: Can help with low mood (check with your GP)
- Keep moving: Gentle exercise and time outdoors can help you feel a bit better.
- Plan ahead: Cook in batches or make time to rest when you need it.
- Find small comforts: Notice the little things you enjoy about winter, like cosy nights in or walks in the fresh air.
As always, we have a great newsletter full of events, news, and funding and training opportunities!
Right2Dance
Starting Monday 19th January 2026
Monday: Tannahill Centre, Blackstoun Road, Paisley
Tuesday: West College Scotland Paisley Campus, Centre for Performing Arts Building, Renfrew Road, Paisley
‘Just for You’ is a programme of free dance classes for adults to improve health and wellbeing. Classes include Dance4all, Energise and Revitalise.
Class details:
Dance4all
Monday 1.00-2.00pm (Tannahill Centre)
Tuesday 6.00-6.45pm (West College Scotland)
Inclusive dance class for adults of all abilities. Carers are welcome to join in too.
Energise
Tuesday 6.00-6.45pm (West College Scotland)
Get fit, get funky, have fun! This class is perfect for those who want to get moving and have fun.
Revitalise
Tuesday 7.00-7.45pm (West College Scotland)
Breathe, unwind and relax. Gentle movement to help the stress of the day melt away.
Classes are free and are funded by the Renfrewshire Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
For more details please visit www.right2dance.com
Fix & Mend Lochwinnoch
Wednesday 28th January, 6pm - 9pm
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. We've successfully fixed lamps, accordion cases, jumpers, chairs, bicycles and more - as long as it's fixable, we'll have a look.
You can also join our sewing corner, get peer advice and have a go at mending them
(We do not currently offer PAT testing, which is your own responsibility for electrical items.)
Register your broken items here
Dates-n-Mates Renfrewshire
Dates-n-Mates Renfrewshire has a busy February planned for adults with learning disabilities, including friendly lunches, café catch-ups, fun quizzes, club nights and a Valentine’s Party. If you’d like to meet new people, build confidence and make 2026 the year you form lasting relationships, get in touch with the Dates-n-Mates team to find out more. All events fully accessible.
For more details see Dates-n-Mates Facebook or contact 0141 427 2957
Renewable Energy Workshop with Turbine Taskforce
Thursday 5th February, 12pm-1.30pm
Paisley Library
Participants will have a chance to learn first hand from experts in the field. Through an interactive mapping exercise, participants will learn about decision-making about the installation of a variety of Renewable Energy sources, including what areas are suitable for solar, hydro, wind, nuclear and tidal energy generation, working out the pros and cons of each area for each energy source. Engineers of the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland will be on hand to offer advice, support and guidance.
Click here to register and for more details
The Art Department -Creative Learning Workshops for adults and children
4th February until 28th March 2026
The Art Department 9-11 Causeyside Street, PA1 1UW
Wheelchair access to ground and first floor only
Attended Lift Service Available
Disabled Parking
Accessible toilet on ground floor
Two new artists – Lilian Ptáček and Marcer Campbell - join The Art Department and will be leading workshops in printmaking and drawing.
They are joined by artists Ann Vance (painting); Lucy Dorrian (fusion glass and glass painting); David Gillanders (Pottery) Marion Gardyne (Textiles and Print); Hoisun Yung (Painting and Drawing).
No experience necessary. All materials provided. Tutors are Disclosure
Click here to book workshops and for more details
RenCAN Networking Brunch
Thursday 29th January 2026, 9:30am-12pm
The Wynd Centre, Paisley
- Network - whether you're a newly connected member, or have been here since the beginning, it's a chance to connect with other organisations.
- Reflect on the network's progress - an opportunity to share learnings, milestones and achievements.
- Discuss ideas going forward - a chance to shape and grow the network through exploring ideas, identifying potential partnerships between organisations, and share opportunities (including volunteering).
Come for brunch...stay for the connections. We'd love to see you there!
For catering purposes, free tickets need to be booked in advance by visiting the website link for booking details.
Click here to register for the event
St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Women: Monday 16th Feb - Monday 18th May (6.30pm - 8pm)
Men: Wednesday 18th Feb - Wednesday 20th May (6.30pm - 8pm)
SMiSA Stadium, Greenhill Road, PA3 1RU
Get fitter, happier and healthier for FREE, with our FFIT, 13-week programme.
Proven to improve both your physical health and mental wellbeing. Read more about eligibility requirements for the programme here or contact hello@smfcfoundation.co.uk
- Improve fitness, strength, and energy
- Learn practical, realistic tips for healthy eating
- Build confidence
- Be part of a supportive group
- Take part in enjoyable, structured sessions led by trained coaches
Ferguslie Park Wednesday Drop In
Every Wednesday 9.30-11.30 am
“Community Room” Tannahill Community Centre, 76 Blackstoun Road, Ferguslie Park, Paisley
Wheelchair access and disabled parking
Everyone Welcome
Drop-In sessions include free refreshments and breakfast rolls, activities like darts and pool.
Participants can take part in informal discussions around life stories. We enjoy creative activities, one-off Trips and outdoor Activities (4 yearly) some including eating together.
Other activities include supporting the wider work of our partner organisation “Street Connect” through street outreach, hosting a Recovery Group, One-to-One support.
For more information contact Stuart Davidson, Mobile 07717 503059
Ferguslie Church Outreach - Facebook
RAMH Renfrewshire
From 21st January 2026, RAMH Renfrewshire Mental Health Community Service will be moving from 14 St. James Street to one of our existing buildings at 41 Blackstoun Road. Services will continue as normal in a calm, private and accessible space for counselling, 1:1 and group wellbeing support. The building is wheelchair accessible, with free parking and a bike shed. Partners are welcome to get in touch or arrange a visit.
For more details contact enquiries@ramh.org
Quality Radio
We’re absolutely delighted to announce that Quality Radio has been crowned Community Station of the Year 2025 at the Scottish Enterprise Awards.
A huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes Quality Radio what it is - our incredible team, volunteers, presenters, and listeners. This award belongs to you all!
We look forward to continuing to serve Renfrewshire and celebrating many more milestones together in 2026!
St Andrew’s First Aid- Mental Health First Aid training
6th February 9am-5pm
11th February 9am-5pm
Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS
St Andrew's First Aid has received funding to deliver the First Aid for Mental Health qualification, to staff and volunteers from third-sector organisations based in Renfrewshire.
If your third-sector organisation works with vulnerable people, then this is a perfect opportunity to equip your staff and volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to offer support for people going through tough times. For more information contact community@firstaid.org.uk
SUSE are offering free training sessions for organisations based in Renfrewshire, including 'How to be a Confident Service Provider'
Gain an understanding of your legal responsibilities and how to confidently support people with vision impairments as a service provider or employer. Please click below for details and to register
Online lunchtime session introducing theChat Parent Information Resource.
Wednesday 4th February, 12.30-1.30pm
This webinar is aimed at those who work with or support parents and carers, with information on the resource and how to access being shared directly with parents and carers through a targeted campaign that will launch at the same time.
This new resource was created in response to feedback from parents and carers as part of theChat engagement in 2024, where they asked for information to support them to have meaningful conversations with children and young people about relationships and sexual health.
Digital Inclusion for Health and Social Care
Join us for the next phase of the Digital Inclusion Programme Learning Exchange. This series of workshops will focus on how digital inclusion can be supported in different services and settings across health and social care.
Designed for staff working across health, social care, and wider sectors, these workshops offer practical insights and tools to help embed digital equity into everyday practice.
For more information and to register click below:
Digital Inclusion & Self Management: Practitioner Workshop
Monday 26th January 9.30-11am
Digital Inclusion & Social Care: Practitioner Workshop
Wednesday 28th January 1.30-3pm
Digital Inclusion & Ethnic Minority Communities: Practitioner Workshop
Thursday 29th January 10.30-12pm
Digital Inclusion & Disability: Practitioner Workshop
Monday 2nd February 10-11.30am