EEF Meeting 27th August 2025

Gerry McKeown and Camphill Blair Drummond hosted the Employer Engagement Forum this morning and provided a beautiful backdrop for those in attendance. Many thanks again to those in attendance for a packed and informative meeting which covered a number of topics and issues; creating some great networking opportunities for the chats over Camphill’s wonderful home baking!

Jonathan Aitken from SUSE spoke about APT: Making it Work provides a full assessment of eLearning resources and information systems used by staff and is carried out by people who have lived experience of disabilities, health conditions and neurodiversity. John Magill  introduced Scotwest Credit Union; highlighting payroll saving with Scotwest; allowing employees to save directly from their pay to their credit union account. He also promoted their loans, mortgages and community impacts.

Good Green Futures (Good Build) was highlighted by Tricia Robertson from Transition Stirling who spoke about the project diverting construction materials from landfill. Allan Conry introduced himself as Service Manager for Economic Development at Stirling Council and spoke about the positive future for Stirling’s economy. David Stewart spoke to the forum about Clackmannanshire Economic Regeneration Trust; their background, challenges, funding, successes and future planning. University of Stirling’s Net Zero Business Support was highlighted by David Newitt and Lynsey Joyce updated the forum on University of Stirling’s Work Based Learning offer.

Brodie Paterson gave an introduction to Enable Scotland’s Enabling Disability Inclusion; delivering support for business to improve recruitment and retention from disadvantaged groups. Laura Wilson and Liam Short provided an update on Robertson Construction’s projects across Clacks & Stirling. Lindsey McNaughtan updated the forum on her new role with Hub East Central Scotland and how that will help the EEF deliver sustainable outcomes from community benefits for years to come.

The forum thanked Gerry McKeown for all his support over the past years and wished him a wonderful retirement as he finishes towards the end of September. Finally, there was a reminder that Stirling Business Month and Forth Valley Business Week are both running in September; a quick search on both will highlight a number of events that may be of interest. Next meeting will be in Clacks and will tie in with Challenge Poverty Week: more details to come over the coming month.

Please find latest updates detailed below which include support from Positive Changes, networking and development session and funding available from Creative Scotland.

Positive Changes 

We’re excited to let you know about our next monthly Cari’s Kitchen session, held in person at new our offices in Stirling. These relaxed, hands-on workshops are open to women with direct experience within the justice system.

Upcoming session dates:

• Monday 1st September - 10:00am – 2:00pm

Cari’s Kitchen offers a safe, welcoming space where women can take part in practical chocolate-making sessions. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to take the first step.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn more about the art of Chocolate making

• Make a variety of handmade chocolates

• Take home everything they create

• Build practical and transferable life skills

• Gain confidence and self belief in themselves in relaxed and supportive environment

Spaces are limited to 6 per session, so if you know someone who would benefit from joining us, please email natasha@gracechocolates.co.uk to book a place by Thursday 28th August.

DWP: Supporting homeless and no fixed abode customers to move to Universal Credit

 We need your help in supporting homeless and no fixed abode customers who are claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by sharing the following important information: 

• Those claiming ESA will have their benefits end if they do not make the move to Universal Credit. 

• Migration Notice letters are being sent to their correspondence address. This provides all information required for a claim. They should not make a claim without it. 

• If they have not received this letter, they should ring the helpline (0800 169 0328) for support to make a digital claim. 

More information at Move to Universal Credit 

NHS Forth Valley – Decider Training Skills

The Decider Skills use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to teach children, young people and adults the skills to recognise their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours, enabling them to monitor and manage their own emotions and mental health.

Complex psychological theory has been distilled into highly effective, evidence based skills for individuals and organisations.

The Life Skills are 12 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills designed to be taught to groups and individuals using a fun, creative and interactive style. The skills cover mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and managing relationships. Attending this training will enable you to deliver the training to your client group.

*Completion of this training course does not enable you to provide training, to other staff.  Only authorised trainers are able to do this.*

The 1-day training will cover 12 of The Decider Skills.   Further information on the Decider Skills can be found @ www.thedecider.org.uk 

Boost Your Skills This Coming Autumn with Free Online Learning from SVE and The Skills Network.

 Now that the school summer holidays are behind us, many people are settling back into their usual routines. For some, that means a steadier pace at work, a return to regular volunteering duties, or simply a bit more time to focus on personal goals. It’s the perfect opportunity to invest in your own development — and SVE’s ongoing partnership with The Skills Network makes that easier than ever.

 The SVE microsite offers free, flexible online learning for anyone in Stirling involved in the third sector who wants to upskill. Courses are fully funded, nationally accredited, and designed to fit around your life, no matter how busy things get. Whether you’re a volunteer ready to take on more responsibility, a charity worker keen to deepen your knowledge, or someone preparing to return to work after time away, there’s something for you.

 Subjects range from mental health and safeguarding to customer service, equality, nutrition, and more. Everything is delivered online and at your own pace, with tutor support available if you need it. There’s no pressure, no deadlines, just the chance to learn something new, build confidence, and gain a recognised qualification along the way.

 This autumn, why not make time to explore a course you’ve always been curious about, or encourage a colleague or volunteer to do the same?

Visit the microsite here to see what’s available.

For questions or support getting started, contact rachel@sventerprise.org.uk

Stirling CAB Fundraiser

The Stirling CAB fundraising ceilidh is on Friday 12th September at 7.30 pm at Stirling Rugby Club.

• Music by Riverside Ceilidh Band

• Raffle

• Hot buffet & half a bottle of wine / beer per adult

 Family, partners & friends are welcome!

 Prices:

Adults - £20

Kids - £10

Please contact FinanceAdmin@StirlingCAB.casonline.org.uk if you would like to book tickets.

Creative Scotland Fund – Now Open  

Creative Communities Scotland

The Creative Communities Scotland fund will support grassroots community-led organisations across Scotland to develop and deliver projects that harness the power of creativity in supporting people and communities.

The fund is open to all hands-on, participatory art forms including dance, filmmaking, creative writing, music making, and storytelling. Organisations can apply for up to £35,000, for activities to be delivered between January and December 2026.

In line with the Scottish Government’s Culture Strategy, the fund is also focused on supporting communities who face barriers to engaging with creative activities because of social, economic, cultural, physical or other challenges.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 18th September 2025. Find out more here. 

Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

In Scotland, over 25,000 people with complex needs and disabilities rely on Changing Places Toilets to have their personal care needs met. However, many communities still lack access to these essential facilities.

The Scottish Government has launched a £10 million fund to support the creation of up to 150 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland, with a focus on areas where there are currently no, or very few, Changing Places Toilets.

Inspiring Scotland is delivering the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government, with expert support from PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society). A co-founder and Chair of the UK Changing Places Toilet Consortium, PAMIS has played a central role in the development of this fund, reflecting their long-standing commitment to improving accessibility for people with additional support needs across Scotland.

Organisations can apply for project costs, and up to £10,000 in development costs, associated with building a Changing Places Toilet.

The deadline for applications is Monday 20th October 2025. Find out more here. 

Outdoor Community Play Incubator Programme

This fund supports small community groups in rural and remote areas to deliver free, child-led outdoor play that improves children’s health and wellbeing. Grants of up to £5,000 are available, which will be awarded alongside development support and capacity building.

“For over 15 years, we’ve championed outdoor play as a cornerstone of healthy childhoods and stronger families. Yet we know that many communities face barriers to creating safe outdoor play opportunities. This new incubator programme builds on our experience of working alongside organisations committed to improving health and wellbeing of children across Scotland and will help rural communities overcome challenges by offering funding, support and guidance to create lasting opportunities for play.” - Celia Tennant, Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive

We are now inviting expressions of interest for this programme, which will be open to applications from 1st September until 22nd September 2025. Find out more here. 

Stirling City (STEP Gallery Room, Wed 3rd Sept) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1427333365519?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Callander (McLaren Leisure Centre, Tuesday 9th Sept)  - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1427333365519?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Killin (Killin Community Hub, Wed 17th Sept) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1427508429139?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Killearn (Killearn Village Hall, Wed 1st Oct) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/net-zero-workshop-roadshow-killearn-tickets-1427816299989?aff=oddtdtcreator 

This website is for you if you are just starting out, considering a career change or looking to inspire / recruit others into the industry 🔨🪜🛠️ 

For individuals:

✅ Create a profile and upload your CV

✅ Search and apply for jobs and apprenticeships

✅ Explore employers and get discovered by them

✅ Save favourite roles and track your progress

For employers:

✅ Create a company profile

✅ Advertise apprenticeships, events and tutor / assessor roles

✅ Search for candidates and build talent pools

✅ Support students, check CSCS cards and so much more!

What are you waiting for?!  Head to https://www.goconstruct.org and set up your account!

Looking for a safe, secure and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted laptops and computers? 

Our Laptop Recycling Service provides Stirling residents, businesses and organisations an opportunity to dispose of unwanted devices in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and benefits the local community. Refurbished devices are resold at a reduced cost, with all profits reinvested in the project, or distributed free of charge to those in need via Stirling Council, to combat digital poverty in our community.

We use a specialised data wiping procedure, to the strictest UK standards, ensuring all donated devices are sanitised and no personal or sensitive data remains. Data erasure certification will be issued to businesses and organisations.

Your devices can be dropped to us on-site at Stirling Reuse Hub during donation hours.

For larger donations, we offer a free collection service.  A collection time can be arranged by emailing us at   techdisposal@transitionstirling.org.uk

EEF Meeting – 24th June 2025

STEP (Stirling Enterprise Park) provided a warm welcome for the EEF and speakers today as we hosted over 55 attendees. Covering a broad range of topics, we managed to squeeze a packed agenda into an informative and thought provoking morning.

Gary Howden spoke about the Stirling Visitors Levy and how the engagement and analysis has progressed to date. Jill Keegan presented information on the Community Wealth Building bill and how Scottish Communities Alliance are supporting consultation and empowerment of communities within the development of the proposed legislation. Naila Wood talked about Balfour Beatty's approach to Social Impact and Community Wealth Building; sustainable development goals, meaningful place-based approach to social impact, sustainability and legacy. Kelly Mathewson updated the forum on the Stirling Studios and Forthside Development; which allowed Suzanne Graham of Turner Townsend and Alla Neklesa of Heron Bros to introduce themselves as key contacts within the project. 

Fiona McMillan spoke about Go Forth Stirling and how the BID (Business Improvement District) model is designed to help local businesses improve their communities. McLaughlin & Harvey's Andrew Tunaley and Alice Harley introduced the Stirling South Gateway Primary School development that is due to start soon and how they aim to engage with local employability and community delivery to support sustainable community benefits. Nicole Debrincat & Ali Davidson updated the forum on local employability commissioning and procurement frameworks across Stirling and Clackmannanshire; with an ask for organisations to highlight gaps in support and potential skills shortages.

Claire Meikle presented information about Career Ready and their Mentoring Programme/internships. There's an ask that any organisations interested in mentoring a young person get in touch with her and sign up to the coming programme of placements. Sarah Forbes & Emma Farquhar joined us from CITB to promote industry apprenticeship & skills funding which can help address skills needs that contractors regularly face. Maxine Morrison and Jackie Steven from CEG (Gateway) highlighted the Workit platform that Gateway operate in support of businesses offering work experience to school pupils across 24 local authority areas of Scotland; supporting the health & safety checks and successful placement of young people into working environments.

The next meeting will be the 27th August at Camphill Blair Drummond. Thanks again to Laura Melville and her team at STEP for looking after us this morning.

• Access to Bikes – Stirling City (inc. FK7, FK8 and FK9), Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Fallin – Adults – funding available to support adults 18+ with a free bike, helmet, lights and lock as well as 3 compulsory lessons/guided rides. Those supported are typically on low/no income including job seekers, shift workers who struggle to access public transport and don’t have access to a car and New Scots and also must agree to having lessons/ride support. Applications must be made by professional referral only (e.g. support worker/job centre work coach). Each bike is built to meet the specific needs of the participant, so please note that availability will be subject to a waiting period. 

• Access to Bikes – Stirling City (inc. FK7, FK8 and FK9), Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Fallin – Children – funding available to support children and young people between 8 and 17 with a free bike, helmet, lights and lock. Typical previous participants come from families with low/no income. Each bike is built to meet the specific needs of the participant, so please note that availability will be subject to a waiting period. Applications must be made by professional referral only (e.g. school/social worker). Please fully complete the attached when making referrals and return to this email. 

• Access to Trikes – Stirling City (inc. FK7, FK8 and FK9), Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Fallin – Children – very small amount of funding to provide a very limited number of trikes/accessible bikes to children and young people (8 – 17) with additional support needs. Applications must made by professional referral only (e.g. school/social worker). Each bike is built to meet the specific needs of the participant, so please note that availability will be subject to a waiting period. Please fully complete the attached when making referrals and return to this email. We anticipate a high volume of applications and expect this project to be significantly oversubscribed. As a result, a second stage of the application process may be introduced at a later date.

• Access to Bikes – Clacks and Falkirk – Adults – PROVISIONAL PROJECT – we have applied for a very small amount of funding for a free bike, helmet, lights and lock package for adults 18+ in Falkirk and Clacks. Funding not yet confirmed, but we are fairly confident we will be approved. Any referrals made at this point must be aware that should funding not be granted, we would most likely would not be able to support at this time. Those supported are typically on low/no income including job seekers, shift workers who struggle to access public transport and don’t have access to a car and New Scots. Each bike is built to meet the specific needs of the participant, so please note that availability will be subject to a waiting period. Applications must be made by professional referral only (e.g. support worker/job centre work coach). Please fully complete the attached when making referrals and return to this email.

• Free Cycling Lessons – 14+ - Free lessons to young people and adults aged 14+ who want to learn how to ride a bike or improve their confidence and skills in cycling. Open to all living within the Forth Valley. Reply to this email for more information.

• Visual Impairment Cycling Project – Providing free rides on our amazing side by side electric assist bike to people with visual impairments within the Forth Valley and wider Central Scotland. Reply to this email for more information.

• Bike Library – 18+ -  Adults aged 18 and above can borrow a bike, including electric bikes, trikes and cargo bikes (as well as standard bikes) from Recyke-a-bike for 4 weeks for free. Open to all. Review and book via - https://www.recyke-a-bike.co.uk/our-services/book-an-e-bikee-trike-loan 

Barnardo’s Scotland Welcome Service provides holistic and practical support to children and young people, and their families, from Ukraine. Our aim is to ensure that families have access to the support services they require to develop a sense of safety and belonging, social networks, and improved mental health and wellbeing. 

As part of our service, we run weekly virtual Youth Network sessions that are fun and informative. We play games, learn about new topics, and create an opportunity to develop friendships. 

We also host a weekly online Conversation Club for parents/carers. Informal discussions about a variety of topics provides the perfect opportunity to develop English skills in a supportive environment. 

In the upcoming weeks we will be introducing a more formal series of ESOL lessons for children/young people and parents/carers. Tailored to support the goals of service users, these lessons will be offered both digitally and face to face (in some locations).  

Further information about the service can be found on the attached poster. Alternatively, please contact scotlandwelcome@barnardos.org.uk.

We're excited to introduce our Thrive to Keep Well course for young people!

This youth course has been designed to support young people (ages 16-22) with their mental health, wellbeing and developing sense of identity, while they're navigating transitions and changes. Topics include 'harm reduction', 'anxiety and our reactions', 'boundary setting', 'identify & self-esteem' and more.

If you have a young person in mind who could benefit from emotional and practical support, within a small group setting once a week, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

We plan to commence this August 2025, referrals are now being accepted 🙂

Please contact learningandemployability@stirling.gov.uk to register.

Exams are over – what’s next? For many young people across Scotland, this is a time of decision-making and new opportunities.

At QA , we’re here to support them as they take their next steps. We’re excited to offer two clearing week events this August - one online and one in person - to help 16–24-year-olds explore apprenticeship pathways and prepare for success! 

Event 1: Results Day: What Now? Explore Apprenticeship options with QA! Online

🗓 Wednesday, 6th August 2025

🕘 15:00 – 16:00 

🔗 Eventbrite Tickets | Results Day: What Now? Explore Apprenticeship options with QA! Online 

Event 2: Results Day: What Now? Explore Apprenticeship options with QA! In Glasgow

🗓 Friday, 8th August 2025

🕘 11:00 – 14:00 

🔗 Eventbrite Tickets | Results Day: What Now? Explore Apprenticeship options with QA! 

Additional Workshops:

To further support participants, we’re also running two workshops focused on the application and interview stages of the apprenticeship process:

Ace Your Apprenticeship Application

🗓 Wednesday 13 August 2025

🕓 15:00 – 16:30

🔗 Eventbrite Tickets | Ace your Apprenticeship Application 

Ace Your Apprenticeship Interview

🗓 Thursday 21 August 2025

🕓 11:30 – 13:00

🔗 Eventbrite Tickets | Ace your Apprenticeship Interview 

All sessions are free to attend and are designed to boost confidence, develop employability skills, and equip young people with the tools they need to succeed.

EEF Meeting March 2025

Clackmannanshire Council and the National Trust for Scotland hosted the Employer Engagement Forum’s first meeting of 2025 at Alloa Tower. Our first meeting of each year is our annual networking meeting and we were delighted to welcome 50 attendees. All those in attendance remarked upon the fantastic venue, hospitality afforded to us and the wonderful tour of the tower by our NTS hosts and Clacks Council. We continue to thank everyone for their ongoing support and participation with the EEF.

We heard from Alison Fraser at National Trust for Scotland who welcomed everyone to the Tower and imparted our housekeeping instructions. Lindsey McNaughtan (KEIR CONSTRUCTION LIMITED) updated us regarding the Callander Primary School contract and encouraged all in attendance to liaise with her regarding community benefits related activity, donation or support.

Lawrence Durden updated the forum on current hospitality and tourism sector trends. He will supply the slides for the EEF to share with membership. Tina Coviello introduced us to Green Skills Training Limited; a company that she has set up with Stephen Cornwallis based at Dumyat Business Park. After delivering green skills programmes recently through employability funding, they identified a gap which they hope to address through the delivery of tailored training solutions to public and private partners (presentation is included on the EEF wesbite).

Rebecca McFarlane introduced the EEF to the Futures Institute Project – based within Dollar Academy. FIDA’s focus is helping young people to develop communication, team work and problem-solving skills; with a particular focus on sustainability and Scotland's journey towards net zero.

Ruth White  spoke about Scottish Land & Estates and the Pathways To Rural Work project being delivered in partnership with Forth Valley College & Sandra Clements (Hawkhill Community Centre). Ruth is keen to make links with organisations to encourage further ways of linking young people with rural learning and jobs across Forth Valley.

After the agenda and alongside the tour; members were able to network and discuss their organisations. Something we usually struggle to find the time to do at most of the agendas throughout the rest of the year! The next meeting will be the start of June. Time, venue and date to be confirmed. Thanks again to Alison Davidson, Paul Morris, Madeleine Muirhead and Neil Ramsay.

Photographs of the EEF Meeting and Venue (Alloa Tower), March 2025

Community Spaces aims to support local communities experiencing poverty and trauma in Scotland and is for registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000. Applicants can apply at any time and there is no set closing date for applications.

With our guidance  now available, the fund will provide revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for up to 3 years, to support the costs of community centres, hubs and anchor organisations that are delivering and/or hosting a range of services and activities to meet the needs of their community. Applicants should show how the various services they deliver and/or host relate to preventing or reducing poverty and trauma for local people.

By community, we mean a geographic community. This could be in an urban or rural area experiencing high rates of poverty and trauma.

We are particularly interested in supporting applications from organisations that can show how they reach out to and remove barriers for groups of people in their community who are at higher risk of experiencing poverty and trauma, such as disabled people, people experiencing racial inequity and asylum seekers and refugees, to ensure that they know about and can access the services and activities on offer.

The opening of our Community Spaces Grants marks the end of our phased return to Our Funds, following our pause  last year. We will continue to embed cycles of learning and continuous improvement across our work, including how we consider applications to our Nurturing Relationships  funding theme, which we will review after communicating decisions on applications made to our Open Call, which closed last month.  We will always aim to do so in a way which is fair and transparent, in keeping with the IVAR Open and Trusting principles  for flexible funding.

Each of our funds are designed to be clear, transparent, and accessible to meet the needs of potential applicants. We’ve worked hard behind the scenes to provide concise information on who and what we will fund under our Our Funds, however, if you have any feedback on this, we’d welcome the chance to talk to you about it.

We encourage all applicants to read through our guidance documents in the first instance before completing our application form, as this will increase the likelihood of a successful funding outcome.

We understand however that you may still have questions that cannot be answered by our guidance, and we accept enquiries by email to funding@therobertsontrust.org.uk or you can call us on 0141 353 4321. We are a small team but try to respond to enquiries as soon as possible. 

Employer Engagement Forum – October 2024

🎃 Scary biscuits! That was the limit of Halloween's impact on our Employer Engagement Forum meeting yesterday morning.

Huge thanks again to Codebase for hosting us; great to see so many people in attendance with lots of other events taking place on the same day!

Another varied and really interesting agenda along with some very special guests visiting us at the close of the meeting! We heard from Matty Dixon regarding his business journey with Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Brewery and his commitment to employing people from neurodiverse or physical disability backgrounds. Matty is a champion of real diversity and wants to embed that in his business model as it grows. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Brewery 

Louise Humpington introduced herself as the new CEO of Positive Changes and spoke passionately about trauma-informed recovery and the need for businesses to engage with best practice methods of supporting people in the workplace that are impacted by trauma. Grace Chocolates - Chocolates for Change 

Progress Partners are delivering Managing People for Growth in the Forth Valley area and Sarah-Jane Dale introduced herself and the offer they are currently delivering. MPFG is a skills building programme for new & emerging managers, or those who want to brush up their skills. It focusses on how fair work principles can release productivity, innovation & growth, excellence in people management, balancing the needs of employees and the needs of the business. Managing People for Growth programme – Scottish Enterprise | Scottish Enterprise 

Cherene Robertson from Lunar Eclipse EFL Therapy Horses CIC (Non Profit) spoke about her professional journey from aviation to the NHS to equine therapy. Cherene introduced as to Lunar Eclipse’s ‘Hoof Gang’ and brought along two very special guests to meet those in attendance; Bubbles and Teddy! Please contact Cherene if you wish to speak with her about how their tiny horses can help with emotional wellbeing, physical activity, cognitive engagement, companionship and comfort. lunar-eclipse.co.uk 

Steve McGuire from Reach 4 Business spoke to the EEF about drug & alcohol testing services. Something that’s prevalent in the news currently following a study by Edinburgh City Council and will no doubt continue to have an increased need across a large number of sectors in the coming years. Steve is keen to speak with any business, trade union, sector or SME about the services and how they can be implemented. www.reach4business.co.uk 

Techscaler was the focus of Onyinye Igbokwe's presentation. Techscaler is a nationwide programme which supports founders and employees to accelerate the creation of and growth of tech start-ups in Scotland. It focuses on building core start-up and scale up skills, fostering social infrastructure development, improving investor and international connectivity, and supporting a vibrant network of ecosystem partnerships. There are Techscaler hubs across the country and Onyinye is happy to speak to anyone with an interest in finding out more. Codebase Stirling 

Adam Harris introduced Myriad Wind to the group and their plans to develop modular wind energy for a more affordable and sustainable future. The company are receiving accelerated growth support from Scottish Enterprise and despite being a start-up, recognised a recruitment need to support the administration and organisation of the business. Adam spoke positively of the support they had received in both recruiting and supporting the professional development of their new employee through the support of both Stirling Council’s Learning & Employability Team and STEP. Myriad Wind Energy Systems 

Myriad Wind’s Presentation is available here:  Myriad_EEF_Pres.pptx.pptx 

Noelle Mackay is the Employability lead for NHS Forth Valley and is currently implementing processes within the area to ensure the organisation is accessible and supportive to people who aspire to work within the National Health Service. As an ‘anchor’ institution, the NHS has a number or roles – as employer, service provider and procurer, commissioner and steward. Noelle is working to ensure employment pathways to NHS Forth Valley are increasingly more accessible to all. The presentation reflected all of this and more (please access the presentation for more details). 

STEP’s Annual Business Survey starts today! We’re encouraging everyone to fill it in and share it with their networks now that it has launched. This survey is crucial as it helps shape the business support that  EEF partners offer for the next year, ensuring we meet the needs and priorities of the local business community. 

Last April saw the formation of a new Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health Improvement Service as part of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP (clacksandstirlinghscp.org).

We are delighted to share with you for your perusal and information, our new Clackmannanshire & Stirling Health Improvement Service Plan for 2024-2026.  We very much look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond, to continue to make a difference together to the health and wellbeing of our local people and communities.   

A few projects from Recyke-a-bike to make you aware of, which might be useful for yourselves or the people you support:

-   Free Bikes for Young People in Stirling area only – we have an allocation to give away bike packages for 10- to 17-year-old young people living within 400 meters of the Walk, Cycle, Live path (stipulated by funders) which includes some of the following areas – Raploch, Cornton, City Centre and top of the town, Springkerse, Causewayhead and Fallin. This project is for children from families who would not ordinarily be able to afford the cost of a new bike, with a key focus SIMD 1 and 2 areas. Please note this project is referral only (school, support worker etc) and is not to be shared publicly. Please email for more information.

-          Free Bikes for Adults – 18 and above, same locations as above and for people who ordinarily couldn’t afford the cost of a bike. Individuals would be given confidence boosting cycling sessions as part of this project, as well as roadside repair maintenance sessions and a small selection of tools/parts. Please note this project is referral only (Job Centre, support worker etc) and is not to be shared publicly. Please email for more information.

-          Free Bikes for Adults in Falkirk and Clacks – we have a very small allocation of free bike packages to give away to adults who ordinarily couldn’t afford their own bike in Falkirk and Clacks. Please note this project is referral only (Job Centre, support worker etc) and is not to be shared publicly. Please email for more information.

-          We are still running our adult Wellness rides Tailwinds – with great success. Free to attend with a free coffee too! For more information and to book on our Stirling rides check out - Tailwinds - Wellness Rides - Stirling Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite Clacks - Tailwinds - Ride Clackmannanshire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite Falkirk - Tailwinds - Wellness Rides - Falkirk Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite No eligibility required to attend. Public information, please share.

-          City&Guilds Level 1 Bike Mechanic Course­ – we have a few spaces left for our next free to attend 4-day City&Guilds mechanics course on the w/c 19th August. Those attending must not be in education, training or regular employment at the time of attending the course. Public information, please share. Please email for more information.

-          Bike Library – Free to hire for one month - electric bikes, trikes, cargo bikes, adapted bikes and family bikes as well as standard bikes via our library. No eligibility required except riders must be 18 and above. More information and to book check out E-Bike/E-Trike Library Info | recyke-a-bike. Public information, please share.

Working Health Services is a free NHS service available to self employed and SME businesses where no occupational health service is currently available.  The service can support people with a long term health condition or injury which is impacting on their work.  

We are now ready to launch our new project, the leisure-based Stirling Library of Things, aimed at engaging tourists and locals in reuse, offering them the opportunity to hire high-quality preloved items, for less. I wanted to share the details with you before we launch.  From wet suits and paddleboards to rainy-day packs and popcorn makers, there’s something for everyone. 

Smart Works offer FREE clothing and coaching to help women get the job

MyBnk are a financial education charity delivering financial literacy for young people. We achieve this using a suite of programmes that map to the curriculum, engage young people and deliver age relevant content in an interactive and captivating way. 

Our award-winning Money Works programme is aimed at young adults who are disengaged from education. Money Works is a 2-day course for aimed at the 16-25 age range that focuses on budgeting, spending habits, tax, banking and borrowing. Please see attached for more detail.

We also offer interactive shorter sessions (~100 minutes suitable for young people of school age S3-S6).

We are fully funded so there is no cost to voluntary organisations.

I look forward to hearing from you, please feel free to contact me with any questions or to arrange a suitable booking date with the MyBnk team.

Kind Regards Jennifer Graham

Our Van Raam Fun2Go side by side bike continues to put smiles on the faces of its riders! 

Great for people with balance, mobility, cognitive or visual impairments this electric assist bike allows people to cycle together side by side, with the pilot steering and stopping and the rider pedaling, or not! Sessions are free of charge. 

For more information contact David Cunningham at David.Cunningham@qa.com