This is an ONLINE event, held on Zoom – FREE EVENT

The 2021 Social Enterprise Census highlighted that over 1000 social enterprises run Community Centres and Halls and this has been one of the consistently largest fields of economic activity since the first Census in 2015.

Social Enterprise Scotland are hosting an online session to give social enterprises who run community spaces (in all their guises) an opportunity to come together – to connect, share ideas, and inspire each other.

Ally Graham from Beechbrae and Julie Carter from Eric Liddle Community  will share their own experiences, challenges and solutions to managing community spaces – in both rural and urban communities.

The session will build on the work of partners in this area (SCVO, Scottish Rural Network, Scottish Rural Action, Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), Community Enterprise).

We are delighted to announce that the University of Stirling Enterprise Programme and Scotland’s International Environment Centre are accepting applications for ‘GreenLaunch: Idea Builder Bootcamp’, a 7 week skills and training programme with a 100% online curriculum to help you accelerate the development of Green business ideas. 

‘Scotland's International Environment Centre, part of the University of Stirling will guide businesses through a practical approach of setting out the what and the how for small businesses to help support their journey to Net Zero. You will have the opportunity to gain experience how to create a Carbon Reduction Plan.

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Have registered on the Climate Action Hub, a free resource to access the resources you need to develop your carbon reduction plan.

• Started your net zero planning journey.

• Started a Carbon Reduction Plan for your organisation.

• Have access to fully funded net zero Expert Help.

• Understand the additional support and resources available to help your net zero efforts.

The workshop is hosted by Ceteris and all Clackmannanshire based businesses are invited to attend.’

This research being carried out by Dundee University on behalf of the Scottish Government.  Only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.  I’ll share it with the LEP, 

We invite you to contribute to our important research project,  to participate in a brief survey as part of our research project titled "Exploring the Dynamics of Employability Funding Allocation in Scotland."  conducted under the Scottish Parliament Fellowship. Your insights and experience as a local authority, third-sector provider and/or involved in delivering employability services would be incredibly valuable in helping us understand the current landscape and identify areas for improvement.

The survey is designed to take no more than 10-15 minutes of your time and will cover key aspects of employability funding, including allocation processes, timelines, and the challenges faced by local authorities and delivery partners. Your participation will provide crucial data that will inform our research and potentially influence future policy decisions in this area.

Please be assured that your responses will be completely anonymous, and all data will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The information you provide will be securely stored and will only be used for the purposes of this research. Your participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without any consequences.

To take part in the survey, please click on the following link: (Please skip questions which are not relevant to you. Survey does not allow backtracking. Please use open ended questions for more detailed insights)

Are you a creatively minded person? Do you like to be working outside and getting stuck in? What job will best suit your personality and qualifications?

Our career explorer tool helps you find the right jobs for you in the construction industry.

This is the link to Sands Bereavement in the Workplace Training webpage. After the training you receive access to Sands Learning Hub which offers an eLearning training session for those who may have missed the webinar, videos, resources in easy read, audio, and 12 languages which include template policy docs, support resources for managers and colleagues too.

Until the end of March our Bereavement in the Workplace training is free for SMEs but we do have to cover our costs so fees are charged for everyone else, please find the details attached.

Because you have such a wide range of contacts they may also be interested in the rest of our training so I’m sharing the link to our free open access webinars: Open Access Webinars - Sands.

If you have questions in relation to Sands Training then please contact our Head of Training, Clare Worgan on clare.worgan@sands.org.uk

We’re reaching out to you to ask for your help in spreading the exciting news that we have officially launched CivTech Round 10.  

We can today confirm the nine official Challenges and their

Sponsors, and we want to encourage as many people as possible, from individuals

with no previous commercial experience, to existing companies, large or small,

to apply. It doesn’t matter where in the world they are based either, anyone is

welcome. 

We have a passion for innovation and using tech for the greater

public good. Any organisation or individual wishing to learn more about the

CivTech programme can visit www.civtech.scot and we can also be found on LinkedIn at The CivTech Programme and Twitter.  

Collectively the new set of Challenges aim to use technology to

address skills gaps, improve carbon measurement in forestry, monitor seabird

populations, enhance firefighter safety, optimise emergency response, reduce

pharmaceutical waste, promote a circular economy in healthcare supply chains,

streamline data sharing across public organisations, and improve public

consultation processes. The value of the Challenges range from £650,000 to

£1.3m. 

Two additional ‘Wildcard’ Challenges under the title ‘AI for

Impact’ will be announced in the coming days. Please keep an eye out on social

media for more news on these Challenges. If Artificial Intelligence (AI) is

your thing, these could be of real interest to you…..

Successful respondents are paid over a series of stages to work

with public sector organisations to develop their proposals from ideas through

to commercially viable products.  

Proposals must be submitted via Public Contracts Scotland by midday on 10th September. 

Even if it’s just sharing a simple tweet or LinkedIn post (and we’ve

included examples in the media pack) we would very much appreciate your help.

In the attached pack you’ll also find a full list of the

Challenges, approved hashtags, and graphics. 

CivTech is the world’s first Government-run accelerator for digital public services so in

working together let’s show the world how it’s done. 

Change starts here. #CivTechRound10 

Join us for the Public Health and Sustainable Transport Conference on 28 November 2024 at the Albert Halls in Stirling.

Building on our 2023 webinar, ‘Place and Wellbeing: Integrating Transport and Health,’ this in-person event offers a chance to learn, network, and collaborate on improving health, taking climate action, and reducing inequalities.

Conference Features:

• Insightful key-note speakers                                  

• Engaging Workshops

• Networking Opportunities                                     

• Light lunch

Help shape our workshops! Take 2 minutes to share your theme and collaboration ideas in the Workshop Survey below.

Register your workshop ideas here: Workshop Survey

Join the Public Health and Sustainable Transport Learning Network for conference updates, to be added please email phs.healthyenvironments@phs.scot

Link to our Transport Page : Public Health Scotland Transport and Health

Translations and other formats are available on request at: phs.otherformats@phs.scot or 0131 314 5300.

This publication is licensed for re-use under the Open Government Licence v3.0. For more information, visit www.publichealthscotland.scot/ogl

What are your plans to encourage your colleagues to eat healthier options in the workplace?  Have a look for some ideas and information.  

We work with people who have been involved with the criminal justice system, to help them to navigate the unique challenges, stigma and discrimination that they can face.

In addition to our website,  peer support group, and blog, on 1st June we launched a brand new support helpline.

The helpline is there to provide non-judgemental information, support and signposting.

We cover the following areas:

• Work

• Health

• Housing

• Money Matters

• Family and Society

• Living Life

• The Criminal Justice System

• Defend Your Rights

We can also provide support directly to professionals on any of the above topic areas.

The helpline can be accessed by phone, text, WhatsApp (07591 339 618) or email (support@nextchapterscotland.org.uk).

We support:

• People with a criminal record

• The family members of someone with a criminal record

• Anyone under investigation for a crime, where they are facing stigma and discrimination as a result

The helpline is not staffed 24/7 - although we aim to respond to messages within 48 hours - so please encourage anyone who needs us to leave a message and we will get back to them as soon as possible.  

🚌✅The C60 bus will return to service from Mon (1 Jul) for residents and visitors between #Callander and #Killin.

An initial two-year in-house pilot by Stirling Council will replace the service previously provided by local operator Kingshouse Travel.

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, we understand the importance of keeping students engaged and learning. That's why QA is thrilled to offer a series of free Digital & Tech workshops designed specifically for beginners over the summer break.

Our "Tech4Futures" initiative is dedicated to equipping young people with essential digital skills and a foundational understanding of technology. These workshops are an excellent opportunity for students to explore new interests, enhance their knowledge, and prepare for the future in a fun and engaging way.

Workshop Highlights:

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Covering a range of topics from website design to problem solving in IT, digital marketing, and data analysis.

• Interactive Learning: Hands-on activities and real-world projects to make learning enjoyable and practical.

• Expert Instructors: Led by experienced professionals passionate about tech education.

That’s not all! QA are offering weekly employability workshops from CV Building to How to Ace your Apprenticeship Interview.

Workshop Details:

1. CV Writing

• Objective: Teach students how to craft a compelling CV that stands out to potential employers.

• Content: Structuring a CV, highlighting strengths and achievements, and tailoring the CV to specific job roles.

• Outcome: Students will have a polished, professional CV ready for their job applications.

2. Ace Your Apprenticeship Interview

• Objective: Equip students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in apprenticeship interviews.

• Content: Mock interviews, common interview questions, and effective communication techniques.

• Outcome: Students will leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to present themselves and respond to interview questions effectively.

Who Can Join: These workshops are ideal for young people looking to start their careers through apprenticeships.

Every Friday for the month of February, we have Badminton sessions. The sessions are 12noon-1pm at The Peak Stirling. Come along and give it a try! We cater to all abilities. 

We’re helping support people across Scotland who are looking for work by offering free travel to interviews and a Monthly Season ticket for their first month at work. 

The Wellbeing for Wee Ones Campaign looks to reassure parents that the natural interactions they already have with their babies are having a huge impact on their emotional and social wellbeing, both now and in the future. The campaign also shows that interacting with babies from the moment they’re born is important for their child’s brain development. 

This campaign was developed in consultation with key stakeholders and parents to make sure messaging was as widely accessible as possible. The strategy and creative highlight the importance for parents to interact with their infant in a way that promotes their infant’s wellbeing (mental health) and demonstrates simple, effective behaviours that parents can adopt as part of their everyday life.

There is information and tips for parents on the Parent Club Website, along with more on the ‘science’ behind it: Wellbeing for Wee Ones - Parent Club Website

The Scottish Government has a plan for a new law they think will make life better for people with learning disabilities, this will be called the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. We will call this the LDAN Bill for short.

SCLD believes that the Bill could make a big difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities in Scotland. Before they write the Bill, the Scottish Government wants to hear what people with learning disabilities think about their ideas for the Bill. This is called a consultation.

It is important that as many people with learning disabilities, family carers and organisations respond to the consultation.

Your response counts! #HaveYourSayLDAN

We subsidise the cost of Retailers Against Crime (RAC) membership to all of the BID’s independent businesses (levy-paying and voluntary members)

Gain access to informative, in-depth training programmes and use SentrySIS system to log incidents, gather intelligence and immediately receive alerts about situations or individuals to be aware of. Reply to this e-mail to become a member.

In addition we're working on rolling out a pilot radio scheme for retailers - find out more here and get in touch if you're interested.

Over a year ago we switched on the Stirling Free City Centre WiFi. Every BID levy payer has the opportunity to advertise their business on the system or gain insights from the data gathered by the system.

View this information pack or get in touch to learn more and to arrange your advertising space.

Is the cost of your utilities through the roof?

We have engaged Eyebright utilities to work with businesses in the BID zone to secure the best costs for utilities, water and telecoms. Find out more.

You could also save by improving energy efficiency of your premises - Contact Business Energy Scotland today to find out how much you could save and how you could take advantage of an interest free loan from the Scottish Government - with cashback grants of up to £20,000, while funds last. Find out more https://bit.ly/3zNgjaE

Our platform gives organisations the opportunity for flexible, cost-free training which could help them train new staff at no cost.

The programme is particularly aimed at the city’s hospitality sector and includes a number of key courses that are a mandatory requirement for some businesses and may be enforced by your respective departments. See the list of available courses.

Network with other businesses, offer them your services, share your feedback, ask questions, make suggestions and interact with us.

Join The Stirling City Centre Business Group on Facebook now.

Independent Stirling is our campaign that is all about celebrating and promoting Stirling independent businesses. Each of the businesses displays the ‘I’m In’ sticker so everybody that passes by notices and chooses to support local. 

All of the businesses are included on the independentstirling.co.uk interactive map of businesses and we create regular blog posts on different topics about them.

Thanks to us, Stirling City Centre now has footfall counters in key City Centre Streets. Footfall data reports can be accessed at goforthstirling.co.uk/footfall-data-reports