RenSEN Newsletter - 28 July

RenSEN – Highlights and Spotlights

• Third Sector Lab - Does securing a fully funded place to get practical support to strengthen your board with digital, data or design expertise sound interesting? If so, apply by 21 August to be part of the next Digital Trustees cohort (commencing 16 September)
• Inclusive Ownership - Have you heard about this new initiative to support communities across Scotland, Wales and England to explore, acquire and manage land and buildings for community benefit? 
• DTAS Scotland events - This one is for development trusts...training and surgery sessions 
• Upcoming workshops - Here's a selection... Renfrewshire Women in Business Network (28.07), Governance essentials for Development Trusts (03.08),Meet the funder: Foundation Scotland's Social Investment (01.09),Introduction to tendering (29.09), Interpreting financial statements (22.10), Risk Management (29.10) 
• Leadership training…Starting September 2026 – Register now for this Just Enterprise development programme designed to support Aspiring New Leaders (fees apply).  For established managers, take a look at this Coaching Approach to Leadership course commencing January 2027 (fees apply)
• Renfrewshire / Doors Open Days 2026 (05 & 06 September) - Want to take part? Click here for more info 
• Funding opportunities – Business Development Grant (Renfrewshire Council), Social Enterprise Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council), Business Restart Loan (Renfrewshire Council).

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise

Enhancing Digital Skills

30 July - AI and digital advantage: what businesses need to know (online / Business Gateway)
04 August – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
05 August – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
12 August - Video production for digital marketing (online / Business Gateway)
14 August - Social media essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
18 August – Inspire action and engagement through email marketing (online / Third Sector Lab)

Watch-again – Making AI work for you  / How to elevate your fundraising with AI / AI tools every fundraiser should know  / AI for charity communications (Third Sector Lab)


Governance & Leadership
03 August - Governance essentials for Development Trusts (online / DTAS Scotland)
24 August – Recruiting Board Members (online / Just Enterprise)
Board skills audit for start-ups (Just Enterprise)
Good Governance Online Check-up


Facilities Management
28 July – Facilities Management: Operational Budgets For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
25 August – Facilities Management: Fire Safety For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
28 August & 04 September – Facilities Management Training 2026 (2 day course) For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS) Waiting list in operation
29 September - (Development Trusts) Facilities Management: Insurance overview (online / DTAS)
13 and 19 November - Facilities Management Training 2026 A 2 day course for DTAS members (online / DTAS/COSS) Waiting list in operation



Social Enterprise Essentials
28 July – Renfrewshire Women in Business Network (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
30 July – Starting a business: The basics (online / Business Gateway)
06 August – How to create engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
11 August – How to build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
18 August – HR: the essentials (online / Business Gateway)
19 August – Low cost, high impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
25 August – The basics of starting a business (online / Business Gateway)
01 September - Meet the funder: Foundation Scotland's Social Investment Fund (online / SCVO)
23 September - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September – Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
06 October - Meet the funder: Easyfundraising (online / SCVO)
13 October - Winning grants from trusts and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
22 October – In-house fundraising training (online / SCVO) join waiting list
29 October - Risk Management (online / Just Enterprise)
03 November - Meet the funder: Cora Foundation (online / SCVO)
01 December - Meet the funder: Aviva Foundation (online / SCVO)
02 December - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
Watch-again webinar – Start up social enterprises: What policies do you need?


Volunteering
Engage Renfrewshire – Volunteering Service
Volunteer Scotland - Find links to online training here


Business Planning
10 August – Building your business plan step by step (online / Business Gateway)


Income Generation / Procurement
10 August – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
20 August – Introduction to fundraising (online / SCVO) Fees apply
27 August - Pricing your services (online / Just Enterprise)
31 August – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
23 September - Exploring community bonds (online / Democratic Finance)
29 September - Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September - Introduction to tendering (online / Just Enterprise)
07 October - Managing finances (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
22 October - Interpreting financial statements (online / Just Enterprise)
Social Investment Readiness Tool (Social Investment Scotland
How do I bid for a Quick Quote? – learn more here (Supplier Development Scotland)
Need help with financial planning? Apply to Just Enterprise for one-to-one support.  This video explains more.  Register for support here.