Engage Renfrewshire Ebulletin - Edition 42

e-bulletin

2 May 2014 Edition 42

A quick guide to Social Media Street Stuff Football Festival CashBack

for Communities Youth Work Fund (12 May 2014)

Voluntary

Arts Week (9 - 18

May 2014) The next e-bulletin will be circulated on 29th May 2014 Please submit articles by 12 noon on 22nd May 2014

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2 May 2014

Edition 42

In This Issue Social Media Guide - p3

In January 2014 a short survey was sent out to all members of Engage Renfrewshire.

Volunteering Page - p5

The aim of this survey was to give members an opportunity to provide feedback and their opinion on the quality and delivery of Engage Renfrewshire’s services.

Information Page - p6

All completed surveys were entered into a prize draw and a winner was drawn at random by Councillor Terry Kelly.

Events Page - p7

To view the video of the prize draw and find out who the winner is please click here.

Funding Page - p8 Employment Opportunities - p9

See below for a few of our additional support services: payroll and financial Services printing mailshot room hire e-bulletin e-alerts training PQASSO quality standard mentoring

Contact Us Engage Renfrewshire @EngageNews1 t: 0141 887 7707 f: 0141 887 8808 e: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101

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Social Engage Media Page Guide Social Media – Get Started!

‘Social Media: creating, sharing, and exchanging information and ideas in virtual communities and networks’ If you remove the word ‘virtual’ from the description presented here of social media you could be describing any number of local organisations that help people with advice, advocacy, support or guidance. So could we all be using social media to enhance our local services?

Social Media is useful to community organisations, voluntary services and social enterprises…Right?

In an article published (29 March 2011) on the ‘socialenterpriselive.com’ website on considering how social enterprises use social media Simon Devonshire of telecommunication company ‘O2’ remarked: 'Our experience suggests they are considerably more advanced in their use of such technologies than more mainstream businesses, and the extent to which social media is fuelling growth is truly striking'.

The full article itself considered the research carried out by O2 and the RBS SE100 Index where 500 social enterprises had been surveyed regards their use of social media. The research had revealed:  

91% of social enterprises use Facebook and LinkedIn 85% of the businesses had promoted their products or services using social media.

The survey also explained that 42% of those surveyed had said social media was important to their business and that 64% said social media had boosted their business As a headline the report noted that Social media could boost the UK’s social enterprises in 2011/12 by an average of £212,000 with ‘Nearly two thirds (of those surveyed) believe social media will help them be more successful by boosting their bottom lines by an average of 15 per cent…’

In essence the commissioned report was promoting the notion that social enterprises are ahead of more traditional small and medium enterprises in embracing social media and were benefiting from this in boosted turnover. The embracing of this new communication platform may be true in some areas of social enterprise however not all smaller community based trading organisations, community groups or volunteering agencies understand or even consider the potential of social media.

Why do it?

As a ‘free’ platform what are the benefits to be reaped from using social media to promote and engage? Can the process also make a community service ‘better’?

Most of us involved in community engagement have a range of printed marketing material available and normally a website but our most powerful and successful tools of promoting the service are the obvious ones – respected delivery and ‘word of mouth’. But in the present day could the online world be another avenue for ‘word of mouth’ promotion?

When considering the promotion of your services or your group social media can seem like a ‘nice to have’ or an ‘add-on’ but certainly not an essential. However an active presence on social media sites can help you tell your story and can help you attract new users.

Social media is great way of communicating with funders about your activities. It can get quickly to your clients and supporters, informing them about your work, and perhaps provides an efficient way for them to tell you how you can make improvements. Creating interesting regularly updated content is important and may appear to be time consuming but if it can help you share new developments in your organisation perhaps it’s worth the effort.

Many of those within your organisation may be able to help formulate ‘blogs’ or ‘posts’ in order to keep your social media presence fresh. There’s no need for long stories – if you want to hold on to your audience keep your dialogue simple, accurate and informative!

Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101 3

Social Engage Media Page Guide So...you’re going to try!

Like anything new, starting an on-line presence can appear daunting. To help you think about your first steps we have produced two short easy to read notes on perhaps the two most popular platforms for social media - ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’.

Just click on the pictures below to read them.

There are also many guides to social media available online - one example of which is ‘About that First Tweet’ produced by Unity Trust Bank and Social Misfits Media. ‘About that First Tweet’ assembles the thoughts of nearly 200 small and mediumsized charities and social enterprises on social media and is certainly worth a look.

What have you got to lose? The idea of a ‘word of mouth’ campaign on-line might help provide an initial focus for your first ‘tweets’ and ‘posts. Go on give it a go!

And if you need further inspiration our social media ‘ramblings’ can be found here!: Engage Renfrewshire Main Presence http://www.facebook.com/engagerenfrewshire https://www.facebook.com/pages/Volunteer-Renfrewshire/548104208592598?fref=ts https://twitter.com/EngageNews1 Renfrew West Social Media Presence https://www.facebook.com/EngageRenfrewWest https://twitter.com/EngageRW Staff Individual Presence https://twitter.com/StuartGrahamEC https://twitter.com/Stephen_Engage https://twitter.com/stuartengage https://twitter.com/AlanMcNiven1 http://alanmcatengage.wordpress.com/

Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101

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Volunteering Page

In January 2014 a short survey was sent out to all volunteers of Engage Renfrewshire.

The aim of this survey was to give volunteers an opportunity to provide feedback and their opinion on the quality and delivery of Engage Renfrewshire’s volunteering service.

All completed surveys were entered into a prize draw and a winner was drawn at random by our very own volunteering team.

To view the video of the prize draw and find out who the winners of the Braehead vouchers are please click here.

VOLUNTEERING! Engage Renfrewshire has a wide range of volunteering opportunities from a diverse selection of organisations and groups.

From working with children to fostering pets, we have something that you can do make a real positive difference to your community.

Registering as a volunteer with us is very simple. All you need to do is download an application form from our website (details below) and email your completed form to admin@engagerenfrewshire.com, or, call 0141 887 7707 for more information.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. http://www.engagerenfrewshire.com/blogs/volunteering/ Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101 5

Information Page

FREE Hospital Evening Visitor Transport Service Hospital Visiting made easier...

Royal voluntary Service is one of the largest volunteering organisations in the UK and in partnership with Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership and SPT we provide a FREE transport service for visitors to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Our volunteers can: Pick up visitors to the hospital at visiting time – afternoons & evenings Pick up near to your home Collect visitors from the RAH and take them home FREE of charge All you have to do is: Contact the booking hotline 0845 128 4027 this is open from 1 – 4pm Monday to Friday and 1 – 3.30pm on Fridays For afternoon bookings you need to phone the day before travel and for evening travel you can book on the day!

Journeys on a Monday afternoon need to be booked on the Friday before your journey.

Priority is given to: Older people People with a disability People on a low income But if there is space everyone is welcome to use the service FREE of charge and there is often space available.

Contact: Avril McLean – 0141 840 5298 or E avril.mclean@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk The STAR Project are conducting an annual evaluation with partners and would like your valuable opinion on the impact of our work. You may have a shared client, referred to us, or you may be a supporter of the impact of our work generally. The link below contains 9 statements to be rated with an option for further comments and should only take a few minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your continued support. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5LWQHMB Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101

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Events Page Childcare First - Ready Steady Restore support families by providing parents with the opportunity to gain a range of life skills and confidence through a variety of workshops and play sessions.

The project aims to ensure that the children growing up in Ferguslie & Shortroods communities are given the best chance in life and are ready to succeed. Our goal is to help our children to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

Are you a Parent of children aged 0-8 years living in Ferguslie Park or Shortroods and would like to develop new skills as your child has fun and thrives?

Then Ready Steady Restore could help you!

Up and coming workshops: First Aid Training  Health and Fitness Parent and Child Swimming Lessons  DIY Skills  Play Sessions 

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For more information please contact Nicola or Rebecca – Tel: (0141) 848 9664 or (0141) 848 9135 Email: RSR@childcarefirst.com Visit and like our Facebook Page where you can get up to date information www.facebook.com/childcarefirst

Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101 7

Funding Page BIG Lottery Fund Pauses applications to Awards For All Big Lottery Fund has announced a temporary pause in applications to its Awards For All programme.

The pause will take effect from 12.00 noon 9th May 2014 and reopening for applications at 12.00 noon 9th August 2014 For more information click http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/scotland/awards-for-all-scotland

Funder Spotlight Session CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund Monday 12th May 10.00am to 12.30pm Engage Renfrewshire Offices.

The CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund is an open grant programme providing resources to community based youth work organisations so that they can provide a range of diversionary activities.

Examples of the criteria are:Target young people 10-19 years old Offer free youth work activities for young people to increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests Focus resources in areas where there is a demonstrated need Support young people who are currently involved or at risk of becoming involved in violence, alcohol or drugs.

The session will be A presentation on the fund Question & answer session Meet people individually to discuss possible proposals if they would find that useful If you want to attend this session please contact admin@engagerenfrewshire.com to book a place.

Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) - Small Grant Programme The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) has been given approval by the Scottish Government to widen the eligibility criteria and grant size for the Small Grant Programme, in brief these changes are: The maximum grant has increased from £5,000 to £10,000 Community/Faith Based Organisations with income of up to £250,000 are now eligible (increased from £100,000) Larger or national organisations with a local project which has a cost base with less than £250k pa income may be eligible, but need to speak to VAF before applying Intermediary organisations (such as Third Sector Interfaces) can apply to develop community-led and localised initiatives in their areas Two or more organisations can develop joint projects and apply for up to £20,000, Updated forms and guidance notes are available on our website: http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/funding-and-support/tackling-sectarianism-small-grants-programme/ Could you please inform your networks of these changes. If you have any questions or problems please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101

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Employment Opportunities Housing Support Services (East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire)

Support Assistant (s) – Grade 2 (Ref :346)

Up 37.5 hours per week (to be worked as the service requires) (Full / Part-time posts available) Salary: SP 8 - 9

£ 13,650 - £ 13,924 per annum pro-rata

6% Pension 2 x Salary Insurance Benefit Sleepover Allowance We are seeking to appoint experienced workers in our Housing Support Services. We provide support each week in RAMH, supporting individuals maintain and develop their home and community life. Support is provided to individuals in their own home, while other support is delivered in 24 hour supported tenancies.

For more information - Please Click Here

Housing Support Services (East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire)

Sessional Staff Required (Ref.347)

£7.00 per hour Are you interested in a career providing support to individuals with mental health difficulties to maintain their tenancies, within their local communities?

If so, why not consider applying for a Sessional post within our Housing Support Services : For more information - Please Click Here

Play and Care Glasgow Coordinator We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to coordinate our Crèche and Childcare at Home Services in and around the Glasgow area.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in delivering high quality childcare services/ the ability to carry out home based risk assessments and match childcare workers to individual families.

Successful applicants will have SVQ 3CCLD or equivalent and be prepared to work towards SVQ4CCLD. This is an exciting stage in the development of our very busy Play and Care Services and offers an excellent opportunity for childcare career development for the right person.

The closing date for the post is: Wednesday 14th May 2014 For more information - Please Click Here

Contact: Engage Renfrewshire Limited, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, PA3 1NS Telephone: 0141 887 7707 Fax: 0141 887 8808 Email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com Website: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Scottish Charity number: SC018453 Company Registration number: 120101 9

If you have any good news stories, events or general information you wish to share with the sector please submit them by 12 noon on 22nd May 2014 for inclusion in our next e-bulletin 10