Business Mattters Magazine Autumn 20

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HELPING TRADERS TO KEEP ON TRADING

AUTUMN 2020 EDITION

HELPING RENFREWSHIRE GROW & PROSPER

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COVID Response & Resources, ChamberCustoms, TRANSFORM programme, Member news and more...

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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President’s Welcome Renfrewshire has been one of the hardest hit areas by the Coronavirus.

As a result, the period of the last six months has seen huge changes and challenges for our members.

Impacting on jobs, the economy and health issues.

As furlough comes to end however the impact on our economy and levels of employment are of huge concern. Many members however have shown great resolve in adapting to the crisis and this issue of Business Matters features many examples of our member companies supporting their employees, customers and of course the wider community.

I thank you for your efforts.

Concerns over the imminent end to the job retention scheme will have severe implications on our business community within the retail, aviation and hospitality sectors.

For example, over 5,000 people work at Glasgow Airport alone and already we have seen significant reductions in employment within the aviation sector throughout Renfrewshire. I call on both the Scottish and UK Government to provide more support.

The impact is of real concern. For example, while Scottish Government has supported aviation with rates relief, the sector will require a specific mechanism to ensure further job losses are kept to an absolute minimum. I fear that without bolder support we are in for a difficult winter.

Some good news however for Renfrewshire’s Aviation and Manufacturing sectors….

The National Manufacturing Institute who are developing for Scotland close to Glasgow Airport a world leading manufacturing base and have announced that it has signed a lease with property investment firm Canmoor for a unit at Westway Park, Renfrew.

This facility will be primarily used for the group’s £11.8 million research and development programme alongside the world’s largest Aerospace Company, Boeing, who will play a crucial role in

developing the Aerospace supply chain around the country.

The 60,000 sq ft of floorspace will be refurbished to accommodate the personnel and equipment needed for the Boeing programme, it will also house state of the art advanced engineering equipment used in projects with other manufacturing businesses including a purpose built area dedicated to advancing the use of additive manufacturing in Scotland. It is anticipated thousands of jobs will be created through these projects.

In addition, Our Council recently announced that Renfrewshire has reached a major milestone in its digital transformation to bring a full fibre infrastructure to homes and business throughout the region, The project is part of a £40 million investment from CityFibre and work has already commenced.

Renfrewshire Council reacted quickly to the Coronavirus in offering grant and loan funding to a number of local companies.

This fund should assist with short term cash flow and change objectives.

This latest fund of £1.3 million is most welcome.

The Chamber team worked closely with economic development to capture the key challenges for companies. Some five hundred companies were contacted as part of the survey- the biggest survey I believe ever carried out in Renfrewshire.

Kickstart is a major new initiative funded by the UK Government designed to create work placements for unemployed young people. The Chamber team are working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council and Engage Renfrewshire to co-ordinate these activities and offer a one stop shop for our members to apply, if you can offer a young person a six month job placement you will qualify for funding. By providing a placement will give the young person an opportunity to gain a valuable work experience, which may lead to a long term position. The first placements will be offered from November this year with the scheme running until December 2021.

Two further Chamber initiatives funded and developed by Renfrewshire Chamber, (1). Transform is designed to help you adapt and transition to the new business environment post COVID. With online training and support in key areas including leadership strategy, digital green recovery and wellbeing. Transform is free to join and delivered between August 2020-February 2021. Places are limited to a maximum of 20 for each discipline.

Please contact the Chamber Team to register your interest now.

(2) UNLOCK YOUR POTENITAL WITH CHAMBER BUSINESS MENTORING. Do you want to grow your business or grow as an individual in business?

If so then who better to encourage you than someone who has already made that journey?

With a diverse pool of Business Mentors across all sectors you will be matched with someone who has the right skills and experience to add value to your business.

The foregoing is just some of the ways Your Chamber can support you throughout the current environment.

The recent increase in Covid Cases proves that the virus is not going away any time soon and with an effective Vaccine projected to be months away we will have to live with this and try to rebuild the countries economy simultaneously.

By working together, supporting each other through our peer to peer network I have no doubt that we can all help Renfrewshire grow and prosper.

Support your Chamber and your Chamber will support you.

Be Safe.

Tom Johnston, President Renfrewshire Chamber

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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A Warm Welcome from our Chief Executive “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.”

An often-misused phrase perhaps however in this issue we have many brilliant examples of members who have done just that in response to the new landscape. The Chamber team have developed and launched several initiatives to help you on that journey.

TRANSFORM: Designed to help our members adapt and transition to the new business environment post-COVID. With online training and support in key areas including Leadership, Strategy, Digital, Green Recovery and Wellbeing. The program open to all members, is free to join and delivered over 3 sessions per course between August 2020-Feb 2021.

The first cohorts are now complete, and feedback has been positive. I would encourage you and your teams to sign up.

KICKSTART: the UK Government scheme providing funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term

unemployment is coming to Renfrewshire through a partnership between Renfrewshire Council’s employability experts Invest in Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and Engage Renfrewshire.

BUSINESS MENTORING: Our newly launched service can help you realise your personal and business growth ambitions, giving you the ability to take your company to new heights. We can put you in touch with highly experienced entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to share the secrets of their success. I encourage you to take advantage of our fully funded support service and find out how our Business Mentors can help you.

CHAMBERCUSTOMS: Businesses and governments across Europe have been trying to get to grips with the implications for cross-border trade post Brexit. Whilst the details are not finalised, it’s clear that bringing goods into the UK from the EU will involve a lot more paperwork than

it does now. To give some idea of the scale, around 180,000 UK businesses only trade within the EU, 68,000 only trade outside the EU and 73,000 trade in both.

The EU27 accounts for just over half of all imports into the UK so the volume of ‘checked’ goods passing through our ports will increase significantly.

All great examples of how your Chamber can help you “Connect and Grow.”

Thanks & regards,

Bob Grant Chief Exec

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Bute Court, St Andrews Drive, Glasgow Airport, PA3 2SW t: 0141 847 5450 / f: 0141 847 5499 e: info@renfrewshirechamber.com / w: www.renfrewshirechamber.com Next issue of Business Matters is Winter 2020 Deadline for editorial and adverts is Friday 4th December 2020 Themes are Technology, Marketing & PR

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Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the support of our Premier Partners:

West College Scotland offers a range of professional training and development courses to help you update your skills.

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Business Matters Autumn 2020

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intu Braehead

intu Braehead has introduced a wide range of measures to support their hard-working teams, as well as helping the local community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Team members returning from furlough when the shopping destination fully re-opened on July 13 have been offered support as they return to the centre, as part of a planned training and induction programme on the new measures that have been introduced in the centre to keep everyone safe.

The management team at intu Braehead, led by centre director Peter Beagley, have implemented various measures to keep everyone safe and to reduce the spread of the virus.

All the teams working at intu Braehead have been issued with personal protective equipment, including face coverings, and enhanced deep cleaning regimes have been introduced. Particular attention is being paid to key areas and touch points like escalators, handrails, toilets and keypads.

The team are also asking visitors to play their part too. Visitors and staff are being asked to keep social distancing guidelines at all times and be required to wear face coverings, in line with Scottish Government policy.

As each member of the team returns from furlough, they are being given training in the new methods of safe working through Toolbox Talks which are

used for all health and safety briefings.

It’s an unusual and challenging time for everyone so steps have been taken to ensure teams know they can talk to someone with designated members of the management team available. intu Braehead has a long term partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and the mental health and wellbeing of the teams remains a top priority.

Special health and well-being information boards have been placed in team areas showing online resources and contact information for the many agencies and charities giving advice on these issues. intu Braehead also continues to work with the national charity The Retail Trust, which provides emotional, physical, vocational and financial well-being for those who work in the retail sector.

And all line managers from intu Braehead will be taking part in a mental health first aid course run by West College Scotland this month, which will lead to them gaining a Level 3 Qualification in the First Aid Awards.

During the pandemic the centre has been working hard with the local community and charities by donating cleaning supplies, toilet rolls and personal protective equipment to the St Vincent and ACCORD hospices in Renfrewshire and the Ronald McDonald House Glasgow charity, which provides accommodation

for parents of seriously ill children in hospital.

Working with one of the shops in the centre, Hotel Chocolat, intu Braehead also donated more than 100 boxes of luxury chocolates to the critical care team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as a thank you for the work they are doing during the current health pandemic.

The team at intu Braehead has clocked up almost 400 hours of volunteering in their local communities helping people who are self-isolating and shielding by delivering shopping and collecting prescriptions.

And charities like Ronald McDonald House and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity have been given help with their recent fundraising appeals.

Community development manager at intu Braehead, Lydia Brown said: “We have always done our best to help people and good causes in our local community.

“And this work has never been more important than during these extraordinary times we are living through with the coronavirus pandemic.

“We also recognise that the situation we are in is handled differently by everyone and may have an effect on the mental health and well-being of the many people who work at intu Braehead, so we are putting a big effort into helping them cope with any extra stress or anxiety they may be facing.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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The accommodation offers flexible, modern work space that has been designed to work around occupiers and their unique business needs.

With vibrant open plan designs which are available in a range of sizes, an occupier can configure the space however they like whilst enjoying benefits such as gas central heating, doubleglazed windows, suspended ceilings with LG3 compliant lighting and fullyaccessible raised floors. Each floor also has a passenger lift and fully-accessible bathrooms, with shower facilities on site.

In addition, there is a total peace of mind thanks to external CCTV and building alarm system.

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Riverside Braehead provides easy access whether by car, bus or flight! The location provides a direct link to the M8 Motorway via the Braehead interchange at Junction 25a and Junction 26, a dedicated bus station and enviable commuting times to both the city centre and Glasgow International Airport.

In addition, Braehead shopping centre, Soar and a local park are all in your immediate vicinity, giving you

access to a host of shopping, dining and leisure opportunities. There are also two national hotel chains nearby including a Travelodge that is immediately adjacent.

Accommodation from 2,000 sq ft upwards is available. Business rates Fresh Start Relief Scheme available.

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Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Keeping our customers safe

Since the reopening of non-essential stores in July the team at intu Braehead have worked tirelessly to prioritise the safety of our visitors.

Whilst we still host all the brands you know and love as the number one shopping destination in Scotland, the experience has changed to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, retailers, and staff. Nothing is more important to us and we will continue to make sure intu Braehead and Soar are clean and safe places to be.

At intu Braehead we have adapted existing footfall-monitoring technology so that our frontline teams can accurately monitor and manage the number of people in intu Braehead and Soar at any time. Alongside this we have formed a one-way system throughout the mall with cross over points so you can travel seamlessly throughout the mall whilst maximising the ability to adhere to social distancing. Signage has been placed all

throughout the centre and, alongside tannoy messaging and floor staff, it is there to guide you to your favourite stores in the safest way possible.

Enhanced hygiene regimes that were introduced at the start of the outbreak have also continued, with more deep cleaning of key areas and touchpoints like escalators, toilets and keypads. Hand sanitation stations are also prevalent around the mall including all entrances. You can find members of our team on each entry greeting you with a smile (even if you can’t see it) making sure all visitors are wearing a face covering as per the Government Guidelines introduced more recently.

We pride ourselves on the fact that intu Braehead is at the heart of the community, and so our teams are working tirelessly to ensure the public’s safety.

We are aware that we cannot do this alone, and we ask that everyone who visits our centres will play their part in

keeping themselves and each other safe by following the official guidelines, and the instructions and safety information provided by our teams.

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Business Matters Autumn 2020

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From woeful WiFi to hashtag fails; social media trainers bare all in new book 2 of Scotland’s best known social media trainers are sharing the secrets of their 10 year career advising businesses all over the UK on their social media strategy.

Gary Ennis from NSDesign and Colin Kelly from Comsteria have co-written ‘Embrace The Space’, which promises to deliver ‘inspirational insight to businesses that give a damn’.

The book contains essential information and advice on everything from Facebook and Twitter to TikTok and Linkedin, as well as never before told stories from their life on the road as social media trainers for hire.

Gary explains, ‘We must have seen it all working all round the country with businesses in every sector from sole trader car mechanics and football clubs, to charitable organisations, multinational conglomerates and public sector organisations.

We’ve been told to ‘F off ’, delivered training in hotels which relied on passing busses for WiFi internet access, and enjoyed the company of one business owner who found Facebook so frustrating he threatened to smash up every computer in the room. This book contains all the advice and insight we deliver in our award winning training as well as all the fun stories we’ve gathered over the years.’

Sections on ‘Social Media And The Law’ aim to help readers avoid the pitfalls that so often accompany networks such as Facebook and Twitter and there’s also a chapter with advice on how to beat Facebook’s algorithm and get more people seeing your posts without having to pay to run an advert.

Colin says, ‘Part of what makes our social media training so successful is the fact we don’t shy away from the negative side and everything that can go wrong. Cyber-crime and trolling are huge issues and in this book we share with readers simple steps to take to use these networks safely.’

‘We’ve kept the tone light hearted’, says Gary, ‘Because part of what makes our workshops so popular is the banter between Colin and me, so we’ve made sure that comes across in the book. But underneath it all, is a lot of solid, business advice that’s been developed over the years. This isn’t a techy, geeky book and it’s not your typical business book with case study after case study. It’s for businesses that give a damn, whatever stage their at with social media and digital’.

‘Embrace The Space’ by Gary Ennis and Colin Kelly is available now in paperback (and coming soon as an e-book and audio book) and includes lavish, light-hearted illustrations from Edinburgh based designer Keith Atherton.

Available now on Amazon and from www.embracethespacebook.com

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Business Matters Autumn 2020

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TACKLING CORONAVIRUS TOGETHER

There are many ways colleagues and students from across the University have joined forces to support our communities during the unprecedented coronavirus situation. Colleagues and students, past and present, have been supporting the national efforts in the fight against coronavirus, not only by volunteering to join the frontline as key workers in health and social care, but by sourcing, developing, organising and deploying equipment and technology which is vital in helping the UK respond to COVID-19. Take a look below at the various ways we are tackling coronavirus together:

FORMER UWS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL HELPS ESTABLISH NHS LOUISA JORDAN UWS’s former Deputy Principal, Professor Paul Martin CBE, played a leading role in creating Scotland’s largest temporary hospital to help fight coronavirus.

Professor Martin was the workforce lead for the project and establishment phase of the hospital. His role involved advising and informing both the clinical shape of the hospital’s services and translating this into an integrated workforce model, looking at staff numbers and skills, training and deployment.

Speaking about his role, Professor Martin said: “One of the most impressive experiences was the teamwork across the project – from the designers, to procurement, to clinical modelling.

All of which was person-centred and connected to the core values of the NHS across Scotland.

Universities played a key role in the creation of the hospital, having informed the evidence base that underpinned the patient care standards; the research, for example, that supported design and

Professor Paul Martin CBE

infection control decisions; and, perhaps most importantly, the preparation of the broad clinical workforce.

1,200 UWS STUDENTS JOIN THE FRONTLINE Around 1,200 of our nursing, midwifery and applied biomedical science students joined the NHS frontline in the fight against coronavirus. The second, third and fourth year students, who study at our Lanarkshire, Ayr, Dumfries, and Paisley campuses, volunteered to work in hospitals across the country, putting their clinical skills in practice to help the NHS respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UWS students supported Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, and Dumfries and Galloway health boards, as well as some independent care providers.

Julie Edgar, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at UWS, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our students.

Hands-on experience is a key component of all of our programmes, with a large proportion of our pre-registration nursing

and midwifery programmes delivered in practice. It is with this in mind that we have absolute confidence our students are well-prepared to lend an important hand in supporting the NHS and others on the frontline at this time. Each and every one of our students should feel incredibly proud of themselves and know that UWS is here to support them every step of the way.”

Commenting on the opportunity, third-year UWS midwifery student Karen Stirling, from Law in South Lanarkshire, said: “It was an absolute privilege as a final-year student midwife to be given the opportunity to support those amazing people to do the job they are so good at. I am so grateful for the chance to support our NHS.” Third-year nursing student Amanda Beckett, from Motherwell, who worked with a community nursing team caring for people in their homes, said: “For me,

Amanda Beckett

there really was no question of whether I would opt in or not. I was all for it.

To be able to say that before I had even graduated as a nurse, I signed up to work to support the nation's effort to fight this pandemic – this is momentous to me.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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CUTTING-EDGE ANTI-CORONAVIRUS TECHNOLOGY PRODUCED THROUGH UWS PARTNERSHIP Academics from UWS have played a key role in the production of innovative thin film-based chips that will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Working in partnership with Glenrothes-based semi-conductor company, Semefab, researchers Professor Des Gibson and Dr David Hutson – of UWS’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI) – have produced the technology that will be embedded in non-contact thermometers, with the firm receiving orders for more than 12 million of the chips from across the world. Developed in conjunction with Semefab, through the University’s ITFSI and with funding from CENSIS and InnovateUK ERANET, the sensors embedded in the chips absorb infrared radiation, giving an accurate measurement of human body temperature without the need for any contact.

NEW APP TO TARGET DISPROPORTIONATE BAME COVID DEATHS A new mobile phone app to help reduce the disproportionate number of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people affected by Covid-19 is being designed by a team of Scottish academics.

Led by Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir at UWS, with funding from CEMVO Scotland through Scottish Government and Comic Relief (NSI funding), the app will provide government guidance in a variety of languages and formats to help local communities understand and adhere to social distancing guidelines and avoid unnecessary risks.

According to the Office of National Statistics, Covid-19 has disproportionately affected BAME communities, with BAME people representing around 15.5% of all deaths connected to the virus.

For some communities, accessing information on social distancing guidelines and information on easing of lockdown restrictions has proven to be a barrier.

“As lockdown restrictions begin to lift and social distancing guidelines

ease, it’s important that information is available to people in whatever format they require. The new mobile app will provide an accessible platform which will ensure that no communities are left behind, providing information on the latest guidance in a variety of formats to help people stay safe and make the right choices as we navigate the pandemic.”

Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir, UWS The app will send users alerts in their preferred language and format. This will include text-to-voice for blind and visually impaired users, colour-coded and large-font for elderly people, different languages, and options for people with dementia to be added at a later stage.

It will include real-time footfall at local shops and facilities to help users schedule visits at quieter times to avoid queueing and overcrowding. Users will also receive up-to-date public health information on social distancing, hand washing and self-isolation guidelines in different languages, which are being developed in consultation with CEMVO. Users will receive push notifications

Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir, UWS

with reminders about current guidelines and any changes to rules.

“We are delighted to be working with UWS in developing this mobile app, which we know will be an important and highly useful tool in helping ethnic minority people to receive public health guidance on Covid-19 and in avoiding shops with high footfalls. The app may not be the sole solution to addressing the issue of the disproportionately high rate of ethnic minority coronavirus deaths, but will at least be a step in addressing one of the many possible reasons for the high number of BAME Covid-19 deaths.”

Colin Lee, Chief Executive of CEMVO Scotland The 12-month project is now underway, with the app expected to be released by November 2020.

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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UWS Graduate Apprenticeships help businesses meet critical skill needs University of the West of Scotland recognises that these are extremely challenging times for all organisations.

As the economy recovers from Covid-19, businesses are facing ever-changing skill needs. Graduate Apprenticeships are supporting organisations to drive improvements in efficiency, quality and productivity and to develop the talent pipeline they need now and for the future. GAs are fully funded and are open to new and existing employees.

Katy Beckett, Quality Supervisor at Bray Controls (UK) Ltd in Renfrewshire, is in the first year of the University’s GA in Engineering Design & Manufacture. She said “The GA is really helping me in my current role at Bray and has given me a greater knowledge and understanding of the markets that we operate in.

The GA has provided me with further opportunities to identify possible areas for improvement while expanding my knowledge on methods and approaches to implement changes in those areas.

UWS is a great place to study – the academics are so supportive, the course structure is excellent and facilities are top class.”

George Crooks, Managing Director at Bray in Renfrewshire, said: “UWS understands what we as a business need. As Managing Director, I look for a supplier who makes the process as efficient as possible and this has been the case in dealing with UWS. GAs give the employee an excellent learning and training opportunity, equipping them with a broader skillset that enables them to impact positively at work.”

UWS has made a significant investment in expanding its portfolio of GA programmes which now includes Engineering Design & Manufacture, Software Development, Civil Engineering, Business Management and Early Learning & Childcare.

GRADUATE APPRENTICESHIPS develop the graduate talent pipeline your business needs www.uws.ac.uk/GAs

To find out how your business can benefit from GAs please get in touch at apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk or visit www.uws.ac.uk/GAs

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Renfrewshire tourism facing biggest challenge VisitScotland Regional Director Gordon Smith on the road to recovery This has been the hardest summer any of us working in tourism have experienced. Public health has rightly been top priority during the global pandemic, but economic hardship has a serious impact on the health and well-being on this and future generations.

So much hard work and planning goes into providing an exciting cultural visitor experience but unfortunately there was no option but to cancel the Paisley Food and Drink Festival and the British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley, as is the case with events across the country.

It has been humbling to see the innovation that many events and festivals have displayed in taking their celebrations online, such as the Sma’ Shot Day celebrations. A funding package from The Scottish Government for the events community, as well support provided by EventScotland, is assisting that vital sector to survive the crisis.

Glasgow airport serves as an important international gateway for the west of Scotland and beyond and the hotels and supply chains it supports, along with the associated employment. The loss of international travel is a huge blow.

VisitScotland has chaired the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) since March when the crisis began. The VisitScotland industry facing team across Paisley and Renfrewshire contacted businesses and operators to offer one-to-one support, signposted them to funding packages and financial support, as well as feeding their concerns and anxieties back to The Scottish

Gordon Smith, Director, VisitScotland

Government. Our Only In Scotland marketing campaign alongside Paisley Is activity are ensuring appropriate messaging is pushed out as restrictions are lifted.

There are grounds for optimism for Renfrewshire’s visitor economy, with the Paisley Museum and Paisley Town Hall re-development projects. The domestic market has always been an important source of revenue for the area and the

Paisley Is messaging is encouraging residents to Steal Back Summer by promoting local days out and Shop Local to support business. Providing we respect health and safety rules and act responsibly, everyone across Renfrewshire can help drive the economic recovery.

At VisitScotland, we remain committed to supporting businesses and helping the tourism industry become an economic and social powerhouse again.

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND Allan Campbell, Business Growth Enabler with Royal Bank of Scotland, provides an insight into how the bank has responded to the impact of Covid 19 and how it has been supporting customers during this challenging time.

“No one has been left unaffected by the impact of Covid-19. Whether personally or professionally, the difficulties and concerns it has created and continues to create has been immeasurable. As a bank serving business and personal customers across Scotland, we’ve been reaching out to communities to help them cope and work together to find solutions to the challenges it has created.

“We have been supporting businesses through lockdown, planning for exiting lockdown, managing staff furlough and creating the confidence to help business owners rebuild staff – and their own resilience. During the lockdown period we were able to react with pace to put measures in place to ensure support for our business customers. This included reduced fees on short term overdrafts, capital repayment holidays on business loans, access to bounce back loans and coronavirus business interruption loans.

We have also been able to support our customers exiting lockdown with help on returning to their workplace, forecasting vital cash flows and how to get back in touch with their customers.

We recently launched our new Tyl service which supports keeping staff and customers safe by accepting phone, online or contactless payments and we have also removed the card machine hire fee for 2020.

Our Mentor team has been supporting businesses get back to work by guiding them through all matters relating to HR and Health and Safety. We are also able to offer customers our free Mentor Live sessions which provide access to template and guidance on a range of HR topics relating to the current crisis, free weekly webinars led by our specialist teams and, if required, additional support through our paid consultancy service.

Further support has also been put In place for our personal customers with mortgage payment holidays being offered up to 31 October 2020, an interest-free £500 overdraft buffer offer and offering a fee-free cash delivery service to vulnerable customers.

We understand that these are difficult times and we are continuing to put measures in place to support our customers. If I can help any further during this time or you are looking to boost your business please feel free to contact me.

Mobile – 07711 765 096 Email – Allan.campbell@rbs.co.uk Twitter - @_AllanCampbell

IoT for Good Programme In April, Boston Networks launched our IoT for Good programme, where their Internet of Things (IoT) network – IoT Scotland - was opened up free of charge to anyone developing or looking to adopt solutions that might help to combat the unique challenges raised by Covid-19.

In parallel, Boston Networks ran a campaign looking at sensorbased technologies which are already readily available to use through their IoT Scotland partners, and which could help the public sector and businesses to reduce the risk of infection and to safeguard their workspaces. Solutions included: • People Movement / Footfall Monitoring - Using sensors to monitor numbers of visitors entering and exiting sites, visitor flow. Usage data is captured and analysed through a management platform where custom alerts can be set up and trends displayed.

• Smartphone Free Contact Tracing - Universal Contact Tracing solution which does not rely on smartphones but instead on IoT connectivity. Users are issued with simple and inexpensive Bluetooth enabled badges, keyrings, or wristbands each with a unique ID. • Remote Water System Monitoring – Using sensors to remotely record water temperature readings for early detection of legionella risk in buildings which have been closed or operating at reduced occupancy. Where water temperature is detected outside of predefined ranges a realtime alert is sent to nominated staff • Thermal Cameras Solutions - Boston Networks also

launched a new range of packaged thermal camera solutions which can be used by organisations to safely address the challenges of Covid-19 through the distanced detection of high fever temperatures.

• Contract Wins - Boston Networks have continued to expand their geographic reach following a contract award to deliver a creative connectivity solution for Barnsley Metropolitan Council and were one of only a few companies, to be appointed to a major framework to support Universities in the North East of England following a competitive tendering process.

For more information on IoT Scotland, visit www.iot-scotland.net To see what Boston Networks have been up to, visit www.bostonnetworks.co.uk

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Supporting the Renfrewshire Foodbank through Covid-19

The first few weeks of the coronavirus lockdown triggered an unprecedented rise in people across the Renfrewshire community needing the support of foodbanks. As a large organisation in Renfrew, we were aware that our partners from Renfrewshire Foodbank, who we support on our site, were probably going to need more support than ever before.

We reached out to Elizabeth and asked; what could we do to help? In the early days there was very little that the team required due to the support that local community groups were already providing through their members. With social distancing measures in place, the onsite team were working with reduced numbers; so we couldn’t even give them extra pairs of hands. Other than providing some additional Easter Eggs, some personal protection equipment and spare carrier bags we were a bit stumped what else we could do.

A few weeks later, Elizabeth approached us; as a result of the increased donations they were quickly running out of storage space and could we help. The volume of donations was so much, it was similar to Christmas when we open up one of our bays to temporarily store additional items, but this is only a quick fix.

As we all know, many months have now passed and the situation is still the same, the increased demand for the service the foodbank provides is only going to continue as we see the economy being hit and household incomes further impacted. Elizabeth and her team are surrounded by boxes and boxes of food, and having to troop back and forth to the overspill bays is not the most effective use of their time.

The Foodbank was originally constructed with 109m2 floor space, so we are currently in the process of extending this to provide a more permanent solution. The extension will add around 60% more space giving a total of 175m2 which will give the team of volunteers more room to move about especially during the current situation.

Normally we have our global Doosan Day of Community Service each year where we support local charities, by providing resources for big jobs that need extra pairs of hands, but due to the coronavirus this was cancelled. A group of our employees were also signed up to support the Kilt-Walk in support of the Renfrewshire Foodbank – so for now it will be a small group of people who will support to get this extension built, to ensure the team have the capacity

to support the increased needs of our community and keeping them safe at the same time.

Elizabeth Alexander, Manager of Renfrewshire Foodbank commented; “The staff and volunteers at Renfrewshire Foodbank are very grateful to Doosan Babcock for all of the help they have given us over the last few years. Their help and support has been invaluable, enabling us to carry out the work we do, providing food and essentials to people in crisis in our community and support to get back on their feet.

In 2015 Doosan built us a warehouse and office, providing telephone and internet access, maintaining the property and keeping it secure. Their employees donate food, volunteer to help at food collections, to sort and move food during volunteer days and help at our distribution centres. This year, due to the huge increase in demand for our service and the need to store greater volumes of food and essential items, Doosan Babcock have provided storage crates for us and are currently extending our warehouse.

Doosan Babcock truly are the best community partners a charity could wish for.”

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Arnold Clark adapts to a new way of doing business

Arnold Clark has been a well-known name in the Scottish business community since 1954, when the late Sir Arnold Clark started the company with one showroom in Glasgow.

Today there are over 200 UK branches from Elgin to Southampton, yet the company remains true to its status as a West of Scotland-based family-run business, establishing its flagship head office in Hillington, Renfrewshire in 2015.

With 66 years of experience in the motor trade, Arnold Clark has overcome some major challenges. However, there have been few greater threats to the business community than the current coronavirus pandemic, which has forced us all to change the way we operate.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

But adaptability has always been the key to its success. In March 2020, Arnold Clark was forced to close its doors for the first time in its history. However, behind the scenes, the work didn’t stop.

The Arnold Clark Group directors, led

by Chief Executive and Group Managing Director Eddie Hawthorne, decided to keep a small number of sites open to service emergency vehicles free of charge and provide vehicles for the NHS, key workers and community groups to keep them on the road during the crisis.

During lockdown, directors and essential staff also developed robust new processes to keep employees and customers safe. One-way systems were implemented in branches to aid social distancing, alongside new contactless processes, Perspex screens and enhanced sanitisation processes.

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However, Arnold Clark’s most significant move has been to change how customers buy cars. The company already offered a strong digital to physical e-commerce process for customers to buy, partexchange or sell cars, but since lockdown, the online process has been enhanced.

Customers can now browse over 20,000 cars on the Arnold Clark website, and reserve their choice for a fully refundable £99 deposit. They receive two bespoke videos showcasing all the features of the car in detail, and now, there are two options to collect: in-branch using the contactless Click & Collect service or, if customers live within 30 miles of a branch, they can choose home delivery. All paperwork is completed remotely and cars are thoroughly sanitised before handover.

Beyond car sales, these safety measures have been extended to other areas of the

Arnold Clark Group, including service departments, which offer a new online check-in service and an appointment system to avoid waiting in the branch.

Service advisors use contactless processes and updates are sent remotely, including a video of the work being carried out.

All branches are now operating safely and efficiently again, and the company continues to expand its offering in England by opening two new Motorstores in Shrewsbury and Leeds. Arnold Clark’s training division, GTG, is also now safely open and ready to resume training.

And while the company continues to adapt to these unique challenges, it is always guided by the original mission statement of Sir Arnold Clark himself: ‘To offer genuine value for money and provide customer service of the highest level.’

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Basics and beyond Returning to school after the summer break we were always asked to compose an essay on what we did over the holidays.

This is my essay on what I have been doing since COVID19 lockdown.

As a business coach and mentor all my client sessions were held face to face, enjoying a social as well as a business growth focussed meeting. With COVID19 all that came to a sudden stop! Almost all of my clients were either furloughed or could no longer trade.

Overnight virtual meetings and events became the norm with online platforms experiencing exceptional demand.

So as well as virtual networking what have I been doing? I encouraged those clients that were able, to invest time in on line learning opportunities and if permitted to participate in networking events.

I adapted my workshops/seminars to be webinar friendly and had the opportunity to deliver some of these.

Crucially, I invested time to explore how to improve my social media presence.

I now post regularly on LinkedIn and other social media and have substantially improved my website’s search engine ranking.

On the downside income has significantly decreased but with the new opportunities developed this should only be for the short term.

One significant learning point was that with the potential and the now general acceptance of on line meetings geographical boundaries have opened up significantly.

So from originally being unsure about the use of Zoom, etc these platforms have become valuable assets for business development. Something that would not have been seriously considered not so long ago.

Michael Clerck basics and beyond ltd www.basicsandbeyond.co.uk

Connected Chiropractic Whether you’re an athlete, or you just want to feel and move a little better, Connected Chiropractic is here to help.

Helping people in Paisley and beyond since 1998 as Fullarton Chiropractic, owner Katie Graham made the most of an enforced closure during lockdown to rebrand and rename her business.

While the name may have changed, the quality of care and commitment to helping people with chiropractic care, as well as sports and remedial massage, remains the same.

Owner and lead chiropractor Katie said: “We’re so glad to be able to welcome clients old and new back to our clinic.

Since we reopened at the start of July, patients have been able to use our full service, including consultations, reactivations, adjustments, and massages.

After being away for too long, we’re so glad to be back doing what we love.

“I’m a big believer in making the most of every opportunity. While it was a huge blow to have to close the clinic doors for an extended period due to COVID-10 restrictions, we found new ways to help our patients while at a distance, by moving our practices online and hosting

yoga classes online.

“With day to day care of our clients the priority, I simply hadn’t had the time to focus on things like branding. With more time at home than I’ve ever had before, we worked on a rebrand of the clinic which we’re extremely proud of.

We’re incredibly excited by the feedback we’ve had from our community about

Connected Chiropractic.”

Katie Graham MChiro, Chiropractor Member of the Scottish, Chiropractic Association

Connected Chiropractic, 7 Neilston Road Paisley, Renfrewshire PA2 6LL Tel: 0141 887 0444 www.connectedchiropractic.co.uk

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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CGC DEFIES CGC THE GLOOM BY BRANCHING OUT City Gate Construction

New division launched by Renfrewshire company A Renfrewshire-based construction firm has defied the downturn by announcing it has created a new division for the business.

City Gate Construction based in Linwood has launched a “steel and door division” which it described a “natural fit” to its existing portfolio of services.

The good news from CGC came in the same week that Britain plunged into recession with increasing worries over mass job losses in the coming months.

CGC however continues to buck the trend and is staffing its new manufacturing division with five highly experienced engineers – hired in recent weeks – who have a wealth of knowledge in this field.

Significantly, CGC is expecting substantial opportunities in “touchless door technology” in light of the pandemic and has identified this as an area where it sees future growth.

The new division is based at CGC’s Fulbar Road premises in Paisley – home to its steel operation.

It will offer installation of automatic doors, roller shutters and steel doors along with their ongoing maintenance.

Announcing the new development CGC Managing Director Leo Reilly said: “This is a hugely-significant development for the business as we buck the trend of economic gloom and face the future with confidence.

“We aim to deliver the same unrivalled

standard of service and professionalism which CGC is renowned for across Britain in the construction and refurbishment side of our business.

“It is also good news for our existing CGC workforce who are part of a forward-thinking business which is expanding when others are finding the economic climate challenging.”

CGC won the title of Renfrewshire Employer of the Year in 2017 in Renfrewshire Council’s Provosts Community Awards.

Last year CGC scooped the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce ROCCO Award for “Developing the Young Workforce” for its work with young people.

BeyondHR Dimension BeyondHR is a leading provider of retained HR and Health & Safety services across Scotland and Northern Ireland. We have more than 25 years proven experience of providing advice to employers and our professional team of HR and Health & Safety Consultants provide support to hundreds of SMEs each year.

All our HR Consultants have held senior HR roles within a variety of industries and are CIPD members.

We have vast experience of providing practical business support on matters such as disciplinary, dismissal, workplace investigations, employee grievance and absence management.

We are pleased to be a member of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and would be delighted to support our fellow members. If you would like to have a no obligation chat about any HR issues you have please feel free to contact us on 0141 3781140 or via the contact section of our website www.wegobeyondhr.com .

BeyondHR: We’re People People

Construction For 35 years, Dimension has been a leader in providing expert construction and specialist interior fit out services across the UK and Ireland.

We are proud of our Renfrewshire roots with our head office at Linwood which contains a dedicated manufacturing facility - and a committed highly-skilled workforce which takes pride in every job.

Last year Dimension became part of the CGC group.

CGC is a well known and highly successful name in the construction sector.

We never forget that customers are at the heart of our business. Through our partnering culture we create a positive work environment which is both collaborative and focused on achieving success AND which meets the exacting demands of our clients.

Our work can be seen across the hotel and leisure industry as well as in restaurants, bars and clubs. www.dimension.uk.com

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Covid-19 Response effort - Engage Renfrewshire Renfrewshire’s local third sector consistently delivers outcomes that matter to people, and during the crisis many have continued to build on their strong and trusted relationships within their local areas. Working very closely with communities and cohorts of interest, local groups demonstrated their agility and responsiveness, moving quickly to assess needs and deliver bespoke services and support.

Working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, the Health & Social Care Partnership and with local private sector organisations, community groups have helped shape the local response to a national crisis - often providing a ‘safe place’ for those vulnerable individuals and families most at risk.

Volunteering The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the important ways that communities support each other in and across Renfrewshire’s neighbourhoods. Volunteering has played a fundamental role - supporting people with basic needs and with other types of support that are keeping people connected and well. Across Renfrewshire, volunteering is part of everyday life for many people, making a huge and often hidden contribution to the lives of individuals and communities.

In an immediate response to the crisis Scottish Government launched a centralised approach to volunteer recruitment called ‘Scotland Cares’ which saw more 50,000 people signing up to volunteer in Scotland in a matter of weeks. Over 1,100 of these were in Renfrewshire, putting Renfrewshire in the top ten for numbers of newly recruited volunteers in Scotland.

Making volunteering in Renfrewshire as accessible and available as possible to all is a target for Engage Renfrewshire.

Encouraging people who would not necessarily consider volunteering to become more involved is important - to enjoy the benefits, especially improved mental and physical health, that volunteering brings.

Engage Renfrewshire employs a system call ‘Team-Kinetic’ as part of the volunteer engagement process, a digital volunteer management system that is designed with the end user, the volunteer, in mind. The ‘Team-Kinetic’ system allowed Engage

Renfrewshire’s volunteer officer to invite all those who had originally made notes of interest through the ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign to register their details with Engage. By registering they actively gave consent to important points regarding methods of communication and sharing information.

Without this system in place Engage would not have been able to easily identify and recruit the registrants from the Scotland Cares campaign.

Engage also utilised the system to ensure volunteers were sensitive to the situations they could find themselves in, and to do some groundwork towards volunteer safeguarding on behalf of the local groups requesting the volunteers.

Volunteers were required to respond to a set of statements, affirming that they understood the importance on social distancing & maintaining any and all health & safety processes while volunteering.

Funding In response to the crisis and to support the third sector, national funds were launched.

Officers from Engage undertook additional roles within this new funding landscape to ensure that local organisations were aware of all new opportunities. Engage officers also acted as assessors for the ‘Wellbeing Fund’ application process, provided support for ‘Resilience Fund’ applicants and provided guidance and assessment support for community anchor organisations delivering ‘Supporting Community Fund’ programmes.

Initial assessments of funding awarded notes an increase in demand for mental health and wellbeing support, along with counselling services. Digital support, particularly ‘kit’ (laptops for home use for children and families), has also been an issue along with general costs around data/Wi-Fi and phone top-ups.

Third Sector Response Renfrewshire is home to an active, connected and well established third sector - this meant that many organisations were able to respond quickly to meet need with food provision and digital support as the crisis hit. Even before national campaigns had begun an

estimated 690 in people in Renfrewshire were supporting around 14 community organisations providing direct food and resilience support.

Local groups have adapted their services at speed during the lockdown, particularly around digital. Keeping people online has been crucial, one example saw CREATE Paisley encouraging young people to access online self-care programmes, and online arts workshop programmes by providing free Data SIMS and top ups cards.

Other examples of local third sector response have included: • STAR Project: as well as adapting their community fridge service, Star Project also prioritised ways to engage community members in creative activities via digital platforms. Liaising with over 80 partners, including artists and other creative orgs, during the lockdown period. Star distributed data/mobile ‘top-ups’ to tackle barriers to online engagement.

They delivered craft/creativity packs, alongside ‘Community Fridge’ deliveries, to enable participation in creative activities.

• Kairos: adapted quickly and began delivering over 25 weekly online workshops including a discussion space, Pub Quiz and Kairos Museum (online workshops with Paisley Museum & Glasgow Women’s Library).

They launched three online series – Kairos Kitchen, Creative Café, Home Makers – to teach recipes, crafts and

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

more to the community via video.

• ROAR: In partnership with IAM ME/ Keep Safe ROAR brought children’s artwork and poems to older people self-isolating/shielding with over 1000 cards and drawings distributed in grocery deliveries and mail.

Partnership with ‘community ninja’ volunteers from a ‘tech’ company - helping get older people to try activities on new (to them) online platforms. A local book swap across Ralston Roar was arranged by committee and volunteers.

• New Tannahill Centre: Sent Party Packs to all residents in Ferguslie for a ‘synchronised’ celebration event, as well as a planning a ‘Gala in your Garden’ approach for the Ferguslie Park area.

• Linstone Housing Association: through their Supporting Community Fund grants programme Linstone worked with a wide range of organisations on their response to the crisis including Paisley FM, Music Broth, Loud ‘n’ Proud and PACE Theatre.

• Jambo! Radio was launched - a multilingual station based in Renfrewshire promoting diversity, tolerance and understanding. The

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station operating with 16 volunteers, and key members have taken up digital ‘media’ training from Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce – a course funded by Renfrewshire Council.

Organisations and groups have also been quick to collaborate and forge local networks with local businesses including: • Local food group ‘The Ark on the Clyde’ has been working with local suppliers; village stores and farm shops to provide groceries and essentials • Childcare Social Enterprise ‘Klas Care’ has been working with local shops to provide food for key workers and their children, plus distributing donated food hampers.

• Local football team Thorn Athletic FC have been working with local traders to deliver food and groceries.

Partnership Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of the approach in Renfrewshire. A sense of collective leadership supported by strong cross sector and multiagency partnerships already existed in Renfrewshire – and arguably the crisis has strengthened those bonds. We know that looking forward, recovery (particularly

Engage Renfrewshire Chief Executive Alan McNiven podcasting from his cupboard

for those that remain most vulnerable) will be very difficult. Renfrewshire’s response to the crisis has demonstrated that partnership working is key to that recovery - and acting within that partnership Renfrewshire’s third sector agencies will, as always, be working to help deliver a better future.

Linstone Housing Association Engage Renfrewshire has applauded Linstone Housing Association for their role in the effective distribution of Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund. Linstone were awarded £300,000 in their capacity of community anchor organisation; and have already made funding awards to a range of Renfrewshire organisations, from youth and family support services, to local food provision.

Community Anchor Organisations were asked to work collaboratively, and to support a coordinated approach locally, in order to act as a conduit for funding - channelling support to where needed.

Linstone are one of over 258 community anchor organisations across Scotland to be approved.

Engage Renfrewshire chief executive, Alan McNiven, said “Linstone are well placed to distribute this funding because of their broad networks and strong collaborative approaches. They have responded rapidly and effectively in getting the money to the right local groups and organisations who can maximise it for the benefit of our communities.”

Organistions who have received the funding include local community

covid response groups, and tenants and residents associations. They also include creative groups and those working with young people, and social enterprises, who put any profit straight back into their organisations, including one producing PPE. Engage were particularly impressed with the level of collaboration taking place across funded organisations, and commended everyone involved for working together to improve daily life for people in Renfrewshire.

Adele Fraser, Chief Executive at Linstone commented “As a community run Housing Association we wanted to act quickly to redeploy staff to support the needs of the local community and to play our part in the distribution of this vital funding in Renfrewshire.”

Alan McNiven of Engage added “We know that there are some terrific covid19 responses going on in Renfrewshire, supporting those who have been impacted most by the pandemic and lockdown; we’re continually inspired by the resilience and determination within Renfrewshire to find solutions to challenges.”

Linstone are encouraging groups and organisations working to respond to

community needs directly relating to the pandemic in Renfrewshire to apply for funding from Supporting Communities.

For more information visit www.linstone.co.uk or email communityfunding@linstone.co.uk

Linstone Team Lesley-Anne Junner, Adele Fraser, David Adam

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Erskine Welcomes New Trustees Erskine, the Veteran’s charity, has recently welcomed three new Trustees.

Joining the Board are Major Mike Edwards, former STV frontman, Dr Craig Fleming, businessman and fundraiser and Major General Chris Hughes CBE, Executive Chair of Veterans Scotland.

Collectively the new Trustees bring to Erskine a wealth of skills and experience, all of which will benefit the charity that cares for members of the armed forces community in four homes across Scotland and provides other services to veterans.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s most experienced, trusted and respected journalists Mike Edwards is well versed in the importance of caring for our country’s heroes. On joining Erskine Mike said: ‘When I was a journalist, my favourite stories were those I did at Erskine. I loved interviewing the residents and sharing their remarkable memories.

I’ve been an army reserve officer for nearly 30 years and I am passionate about Veterans’ affairs. I hope that I can bring to the table my take on current military affairs, an intimate knowledge of the impact of caring for loved ones, particularly those with a diagnosis of dementia, together with decades of experience in the mainstream media.’

After several years working in executive search and recruitment in the scientific industry, Dr Fleming has pursued a career in fundraising, having held senior leadership roles in leading UK universities, health charities and independent schools where his experience extended to marketing, student recruitment, communications, fundraising and bespoke events, later transitioning to consulting in this capacity with family-run, boutique fundraising consultancy firm, FJ Philanthropy Ltd. On joining Erskine he said: “I am honoured to be joining the board of trustees and working with team at Erskine, and look forward to supporting the organisation in the coming years.”

Dr Craig Fleming

Major Mike Edwards

Major General Hughes left the Army in 2009, having served extensively on operations, both in command and on the staff. He subsequently joined

BAE Systems Inc. and served in senior strategy positions before running a large business unit in the US. He is currently the Executive Chair of Veterans Scotland. Speaking of his new role in Erskine he said: “I know from my work with Veterans Scotland how important Erskine is, not only to the veterans’ community that it supports directly, but as a significant voice across the whole of the sector. I look forward to helping the Board navigate through the challenging times that lie ahead, so that Erskine may continue its exemplary work.”

Erskine Chairman Robin Crawford said: “I am delighted that Mike Edwards, Craig Fleming and Chris Hughes Major General Chris Hughes CBE have accepted our invitation to join the Board of Erskine. Following the retirement of a number of trustees, we identified the additional skills we required to ensure proper supervision and governance of our operations at Board level and are very pleased to have found three individuals with such extensive and relevant experience. We look forward to their contribution to the continued development of our strategy which seeks to ensure that the services of Erskine are relevant to the existing and emerging needs of veterans.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Renfrewshire Supports Erskine

During the pandemic, Erskine has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by local business and organisations in Renfrewshire as they were inundated with gifts, treats and donations.

One of the first acts of kindness was

by Domino’s who delivered pizza’s for our on-duty night staff, then donations flooded in including gifts, hampers and flowers for our residents and staff. Renfrewshire businesses pulled together to donate vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help bolster our supplies with companies such as JGB Steelcraft (UK) Ltd, Terumo Aortic and Chivas changing their focus to ensure that the needs of Erskine and other similar organsiations were met.

As we approached Easter in Lockdown there was no shortage of sweet treats as we took the delivery of a magnificent selection of chocolate eggs for our residents from Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors in Paisley with Morrisons in Erskine also donating a trolley full of eggs.

Barnhill Farm Shop donated boxes full of fresh fruit and vegetables for the Veterans living in the cottages at Erskine.

Local School Children also had our Veterans in their thoughts when they drew colourful, cheery pictures sending them in to brighten up our homes and

bring some cheer to our residents. With nearly 50 Renfrewshire Organisations showing wonderful Acts of Kindness to us during Lockdown, we cannot mention them all individually, but every single act of kindness and generosity was so appreciated at what was a really difficult time.

Kirsten Graham, Deputy Head of Fundraising at Erskine said: “We cannot thank the community of businesses, organisations and individuals in Renfrewshire enough for their heartfelt messages, kindness and generosity. This loyal local support has been an immense encouragement and relief to Erskine and our staff as we work together to care for and protect our Veterans. Thank You!” Renfrewshire Based Companies and Organisations who have supported Erskine (so far) during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

• Angelini’s Pizzeria • Aviate Training Technologies • Barnhill Farm Shop • Berrie Fresh Foods – Bishopton • Careways Licensed Grocer • Caulders Garden Centre • Chivas Brothers Ltd • Dani’s Diner • Domino’s Pizza – Erskine • Dunelm • Erskine & District Rotary Club • Gibb Stuart Ltd

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

GRA Systems Greggs Grill in the Park Harvies Tobacconist Henderson Properties Ltd Houston & Killellan Kirk Guild I am Me Scotland J W Filshill JGB Steelcraft (UK) Ltd Johnstone Community Council Karma Kenneth Keegan Funeral Directors Kingsferry Court Residents Linwood Gospel Hall Lochfield Bowling Club Lodge St Barchan No 156 Mecca Bingo Mitchells of Erskine Morrisons – Erskine Morrisons (Johnstone) NAC Plastering and Roughcasting National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Professional Beauty Systems Provincial Floors Ltd Sainsbury’s – Bishopton Shell Centreholm Service Station St Andrews Friendship Group Teaghlach MCC Terumo Aortic The Good Shepherd Centre The Lodge of Erskine No 1566 The Wee Howff Trinity High School

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Ross Wilson Public Relations Ross Wilson Public Relations is a long-established communications business designed to help you get your message across.

Run by Ross Wilson who has impeccable connections within the print and broadcast media, we have a strong presence within Renfrewshire - handling the communications activity for a number of high profile organisations. We deliver results-driven communications support because every business has a story to tell. Talk to us about how we can go about making and breaking your news. ross@rosswilsonpr.com www.rosswilsonpr.com

First Aid Scotland Limited First Aid Scotland Limited have over 30 years industry experience providing first aid and health & safety training and supplies to over 600 local and national business partners throughout the UK, including NHS, Renfrewshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and G4S security.

We offer First Aid Industry Body (FAIB) and HSE compliant courses to businesses throughout Scotland.

As well as first aid and associated training, we are also Scotland’s only independent Automated External Defibrillator (AED) retailer, advising on, and supplying all premium makes of these potentially life saving devices from our base in Abbeymill Business Centre, Paisley via our website.

We’re also main agents for EVAC chairs for stairway evacuation, covering sales, service and training for these vital emergency evacuation devices.

Check out our web site on www.aed-defib-shop.co.uk, or contact us for a no obligation quote on any of our services on tel: 0141 248 4969, or email Duncan at: duncan@firstaidscotland.co.uk

Who Cares? Scotland Who Cares? Scotland is a charity working for care experienced people.

Our Communities that Care project is based in Renfrewshire.

Our vision is for care experienced people to have a lifetime of equality, respect and love. Over 90% of children and young people are in care due to neglect and abuse yet sadly face poorer outcomes and are likely to die younger than their peers.

We are a membership organisation, providing advocacy and groups locally, offering people with care experience a chance to belong. Anyone of any age that has experienced foster care, looked after at home with a social worker, in kinship care, lived children’s house can get in touch.

Understandably the pandemic has had a particular impact on this group who perhaps have less support around them. Our new advice and support line is available on 0330 107 754 for any care experienced people.

Who Cares? Scotland need local people to stand beside us to help improve outcomes for local care experienced

people. We offer awareness training for professionals and community members led by people with care experience as well as various interesting volunteering opportunities.

We would love to hear from you.

Julie MacTaggart Project Coordinator jmactaggart@whocaresscotland.org Mob 07769 326101 or 07484 089832 Who Cares? Scotland c/o West Primary School, Newton Street, Paisley PA1 2RL

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Survival & Prosperity When you’re part of a family business, it’s easy to think your business is the only one facing the issues that you’re dealing with.

For this reason, it can often feel daunting to seek advice from an external party.

Mark Bradford, Specialist Consultant at Family Business Solutions, outlines why it’s important to look outside of the family business for guidance, whatever the situation may be.

Surviving the turmoil caused by Covid-19 will be the main point of focus for many businesses just now. What should you be doing to survive the uncertainty and disruption?

At Family Business Solutions our current work with clients shows three key can be taken to give your business the best chance of future success: • Spend time developing a cash flow projection – and keep it up to date.

• Carry out a strategy review – explore what needs to change for the business to prosper in the changed environment.

• Succession – should it be postponed, or even happen earlier than planned?

We ran a family business workshop in March for Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Royal Bank of Scotland. The event offered attendees the chance to listen to an overview of some of the issues that can come out to play in family businesses, and discuss the best ways to tackle them.

Since then Covid-19 has disrupted the economy, but it hasn’t disrupted the need to keep a focus on the issues unique to family businesses:

Mark Bradford, Specialist Consultant at Family Business Solutions

• They are emotional as well as economic systems – it’s not just about the facts and figures • Customers and suppliers can often be more forgiving and place a real sense of trust in family firms • Equality and fairness are key to surviving and thriving • Insights and impartial advice from experts in family business can be invaluable. Find out more at www.familybusinessolutions.co.uk SAVE THE DATE: Our next family business event with Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Bank of Scotland will be held online on Tuesday 6th October 2020.

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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ACCORD Hospice continues to put life into days For the past 25 years the community of Renfrewshire as a whole has supported our organisation financially and physically to continue to put life into the days of all the patients and families we care for.

Brian Hunter (Clinical Services Manager at ACCORD) wanted to clarify that the restrictions associated with Covid 19 has not prevented ACCORD achieving this goal. ‘During these strange and difficult times, and whatever the future brings, ACCORD Hospice and the services we provide will be here whenever you or your loved ones need us. This virus has forced us to deliver our services very differently - Personal Protective Equipment; social distancing and footfall restrictions - however through the guidance of the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland we have continued with our ongoing services.

Since the lockdown our Inpatient Unit has merged with St Vincent’s unit to sustain the availability of Specialist Palliative Care beds within Renfrewshire as a whole. This merger has now come to an end as St Vincent’s returned last week to open up their unit – Thank you.

Nevertheless our Inpatient Unit continues to function at full capacity, with the staff striving to meet the challenges of ongoing PPE requirements, social distancing, upmost safety and supporting family interactions. We have endeavoured to ensure the unit remains warm and friendly and I can assure you all of our staff are smiling under their masks! Recent restrictions have not stopped us engaging with patients and relatives, undertaking difficult and emotional conversations as well as being very diverse to meet every need.

All our community orientated services have had to adapt to new ways of supporting their patients and families. Through varied technology platforms our teams have monitored symptoms, minimised isolation, provided bereavement support and tried hard to put a little laughter into everyone’s daily routine. With all this in mind I must say a big thank you to all my team as they definitely have gone above and beyond!

Covid 19 has had a major influence on all our streams of income generation. All of our shops have been temporarily closed, large fundraising events postponed or cancelled and overall donations have reduced as everyone struggles with

the effects of this pandemic. However the reality is that our supporters have been innovative in trying to find various new ways to generate the funds required to meet our daily unfunded expenditure of £5,800 Through online quizzes, a virtual pet show and many more virtual challenges, these intrepid supporters (from lock-down to date) have raised a fantastic amount of funds – Thank you.

Many of you are out walking, running or cycling so why not contact our fundraising team on 0141 581 2000 and undertake your own personal challenge to help our cause? Many of you might be aware that the Scottish Government has pledged its support to bridge our funding gap, however when and how much still hangs in the balance, so your ongoing financial support (no matter how big or small) is definitely needed and will be gratefully received. We are working very hard to try and reopen our shops safely and hope to have our Store and our Paisley Centre shop open on 13 July. In the meantime we are looking at new ways for you to view, buy and donate goods to our store. Keep a close eye on our website and social media outlets for updates.

Fundraising Virtually As an organisation we must thank the many companies and individuals who have helped us in acquiring elements of PPE, toiletries, foodstuffs, transport and many more over recent weeks. It has been truly humbling to have so many people get in touch over the lock-down period – THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! Although these are difficult times for ACCORD, we have recognised the plight of the services and our colleagues in the community and Nursing Homes. As an organisation we have looked at many ways to provide support – 24 hour telephone advice; Medication courier service and the creation of a Bereavement support service in collaboration with St Vincent’s.

We will continue to offer such support going forward.

Post-Covid is unknown at this time but we are under no illusion that it will continue to be very challenging with many changes required going forward. What is certain is that we will need your understanding and continued support to come through the other side stronger than we were on that first day of Lock-down.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Include Me 2 Club Our Barrhead based charity has delivered more than 9000 meals to residents hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, alongside 450 Activity Packs, Emergency Support Vouchers and provided over 30 devices to stay digitally connected totalling over £25,0000 in support.

Include Me 2 Club, which helps children, young people and adults with additional support needs, launched the Community Meals project, supporting individuals, couples and families across East Renfrewshire and Glasgow’s East End. Since the initiative began, volunteers at the club have dedicated 4000 hours over a 16-week period to cook, pack, label, deliver and travel more than 4250 miles across the community to help those most affected by the impact of Covid-19.

Paul Mcilvenny, Chair of Include Me 2 Club (IM2C), said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have been helping our members, and we knew there was a lot of need there, so we applied for money from the Scottish Wellbeing Fund. The Community Meals project provided a main meal and was delivered daily, by our amazing team of volunteers and supporters.

“The recipient got daily meals across the week, so it left no gaps, especially for those who were shielding or couldn’t leave the house.”

“A massive thank you goes to our Community Meals coordinator Elaine Stewart and our amazing team of volunteer drivers and delivery runners for making, preparing and delivering the meals to the most vulnerable and impacted members of our society.”

Elise Kelly, a young volunteer at the IM2C said being part of the project was a “great experience”.

She added: ‘’Volunteering with the community meals project has been a great experience. I have learned new skills, met

new people and have been able to see firsthand the impact of the project in our community. The difference that the project makes is so visible, and it feels great to have the opportunity to make a change and help people local to me.’’

Bosses at the charity also saw a need to keep in touch with their members and in response to the pandemic, technology played a key part in staying connected, with 35 online groups and activities taking place every week.

Paul explained: “Our members were really feeling the hit of the pandemic, with being stuck in self-isolation so we were hosting a lot of online support, as well as support over the phone too.

“We moved all of our services online and onto digital platforms, including Facebook Live and Zoom. We also started a daily videos chats with our volunteers, so members were still able to see a friendly face.”

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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TRANSFORM: Helping you navigate the postCovid business environment Funded and developed by Renfrewshire Chamber our TRANSFORM programme is designed to help you adapt and transition to the new business environment post-COVID. With online training and support in key areas including Leadership, Strategy, Digital, Green Recovery and Wellbeing. TRANSFORM is free to join and delivered between August 2020-Feb 2021. Places are limited to max 20 for each discipline. Please contact the team to register your interest now.

TRANSFORM: Green Recovery with leading environmental consultants Mabbett • Session 1: 15 Sept 2020 10am-11am Title: What’s the fuss about “net zero” emissions?

- Background to Scottish government goals and targets – net zero emissions by 2045.

- Strategic planning and what this means for companies both large and small.

- Current help available for companies - A consideration of your own company’s current status on net zero emissions planning - One action to take away.

• Session 2: 22 Sept 2020 10am-11am Title: What SME’s can do to reduce emissions and save money • Session 3: 29 Sept 2020 10am-11am Title: Your Net Zero Emissions by 2045 Strategy – Opportunities Contact Jill Carrino jcarrino@renfrewshirechamber.com 07702 9094744

TRANSFORM: Mental Health & Wellbeing with Brian Costello – Headstrong As we return to work Mental Health has been pushed to the front of many of our agendas. Whether it be for our colleagues, for ourselves or, in many cases, both, it is imperative that business leaders understand the modern Mental Health landscape to create success.

The good news is that’s not as difficult as it may initially seem.

In these sessions HeadStrong’s Brian Costello will give us an insight into everyone else’s minds by helping us understand our own. Brian will give us some key understandings over these 3 fascinating sessions.

• Session 1) Wednesday 30th September 12-1.15pm • Session 2) Wednesday 7th October 12-1.15pm • Session 3) Wednesday 14th October 12-1.15pm Contact Jill Carrino jcarrino@renfrewshirechamber.com 07702 9094744

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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TRANSFORM: Leadership for Today: mapping your journey in an ever-changing world.

With John Armstrong – On Track Training & Coaching.

The arrival of Covid-19 has had an enormous impact globally and as lockdown restrictions ease, a “new normality” is starting to be established. So, what does this mean for leadership at work today? This programme will create an opportunity, for those leaders attending, to reflect on their experiences and learning so far and to map their own journey and their future in an everchanging world. The three themes chosen highlight areas where leaders might be able to impact positively on their people and organisation.

• Thursday 22nd October 2020 12pm-1.15pm The Adaptive Leader • Thursday 29th October 2020 12pm-1.15pm The Caring Leader • Thursday 5th November 2020 12pm-1.5pm The Resilient Leader Contact Bob Grant bgrant@renfrewshirechamber.com 07702 909476

TRANSFORM: Digital with Gary Ennis from NSDesign Attendees will learn how best to use Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin to help market their organisation and engage with customers. Digital marketing will also be covered including use of video, email & blogging. A great opportunity for Chamber members to learn from the best. Gary is an award-winning digital marketer – and NSDesign is a well-established and respected company in this field.

• Session 1) Tuesday 22nd September 10am-12pm • Session 2) Tuesday 29th September 10am-12pm • Session 3) Friday 9th October 10am-12pm Contact Jill Carrino jcarrino@renfrewshirechamber.com 07702 9094744

TRANSFORM:Strategy – Fit 4 Business (The R-series) with John Leburn - Exponentiate.uk RESILIENCE (n): the capacity to absorb energy from disruption Has the COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on your business? Struggling to make sense of it all? Are you looking for some simple guidance in a business world that seems to have turned upside down?

Join our 3-part TRANSFORM:Strategy series designed to help you step back and review how the recent disruption caused by COVID-19 has impacted your business and its future prospects.

John Leburn, a Principal Consultant from Exponentiate.uk, will take you through 6 simple (easy to implement) fixes that can often be the difference between success and failure.

• Session 1) Tuesday 25th August 9am-10.15am • Session 2) Tuesday 8th September, 9am-10.15am • Session 3) Tuesday 15thth September, 9am-10.15am *new dates to be announced shortly* Contact Stuart Murray smurray@renfrewshirechamber.com 07525 323500

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Stuart Murray returns to Chamber Team

Development Executive Stuart Murray

In late July the Chamber welcomed back Stuart Murray as he re-joined the team in the new role of Development Executive. Stuart will be a familiar face to many members after successfully running the mentoring project until Summer 2019 on completion of funding. He is married with 2 children & is a Paisley “Buddie”.

Stuart has a dual role running the new mentoring programme and working with companies who wish to become members engaging with Renfrewshire Chamber for the first time.

Bob Grant, chief executive said “The team and I are delighted to welcome Stuart back to the Chamber team. We have created the role of Development Executive in response to the challenges of Covid-19 and Stuart was the ideal candidate with his extensive knowledge and contacts as we launch our new mentoring service. You will also see him out and about (digitally at first) engaging with prospective members and helping Renfrewshire grow & prosper.”

You can contact Stuart for more details on how he can support your business at email: smurray@ renfrewshirechamber.com tel: 07525 323500.

Unlock Your Potential with Chamber Business Mentoring Do you want to grow your business or grow as an individual in business? Then who better to encourage you than someone who has already made that journey?

With a diverse pool of Business Mentors across all sectors, you will be matched with someone who has the right skills and experience to add value to your business.

Business Mentoring can help with: • Business strategy • International business knowledge • Export expertise • Creating business opportunities • Innovation • Teamwork/Leadership skills Using this service will not just give you the confidence to develop your business, it can also introduce you to a great network of contacts who can open doors and inspire new thinking.

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Business Mentoring can help business owners like you realise your personal and business growth ambitions, giving you the ability to take your company to new heights.

We can put you in touch with highly experienced entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to share the secrets of their success.

Take advantage of our fully funded support service and find out how our Business Mentors can help you.

Stuart Murray is our Development Executive responsible for Business Mentoring in Renfrewshire. He can be contacted on: Mobile: 07525 323500 Telephone: 0141 847 5458 Email: smurray@renfrewshirechamber.com

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Leonie Bell announced as new Director of V&A Dundee Ms Bell is described by the museum as “one of Scotland’s most experienced cultural leaders” and is a former head of culture strategy and engagement at the Scottish government.

Dundee-born Ms Bell said it was a “huge privilege to lead the museum into its next phase.”

The £80.1m museum opened to the public in August 2018. Ms Bell currently leads the Future Paisley Partnership at Renfrewshire Council, in charge of the city’s cultural regeneration plans.

She also chairs the advisory board of the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art and is a trustee of the Edinburgh International Festival.

She developed Scotland’s first cultural strategy in more than a decade at the Scottish government, and is formerly Creative Scotland’s director of arts and engagement.

Ms Bell replaces Philip Long OBE, who was recently appointed chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland.

Leonie Bell

She said: “Like so many, I have watched V&A Dundee flourish in its first two years, and it is a huge privilege to lead the museum into its next phase.

“The museum celebrates the designed world and through its programme it

enriches and inspires, drawing people in and reaching out across Dundee, Scotland and the world.

“Its role now is greater than ever. The way we live, work, gather, communicate, share, learn and play is changing.”

At the heart of Paisley & Renfrewshire Local news, local stories, local entertainment, local sport, local people...

IN PRINT | ONLINE Special Chamber members advertising rate - call us now 0141 887 7744

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Chamber Customs ChamberCustoms is the customs brokerage service from the Chambers of Commerce. It’s different from other brokerage services by harnessing the reach, expertise and knowledge of the Chamber network to offer an unbeatably fast, reliable and compliant service. We’re the only customs broker in the country to offer a ‘One Stop Shop’ with direct links to all sea, air and road ports and terminals in the UK. We’ll help you to keep in control while we do the hard stuff, acting in your best interests every time.

Bob Grant, Chief Exec

At the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the number of annual customs declarations is forecast to increase from 55 million to around 300 million, with businesses who import goods facing a lot more administration. We launched ChamberCustoms to respond to this demand by offering a simple and reliable brokerage service which will help members and non-members alike.

ChamberCustoms offers an HMRCcompliant service that you can trust.

The Chambers of Commerce: a Trusted Partner For almost 100 years, Chambers of Commerce have been trusted by government and businesses to certify certificates of origin and preferential trade documents. Every year our experts issue thousands of documents, relating to goods worth millions of pounds, ensuring that goods can enter foreign countries with minimal delay and cost. Uniquely, ChamberCustoms has been created to clear goods for import and export at every port in the UK. We can access faster duty and VAT payments through our deferment account and make duty and VAT payments to HMRC on your behalf, or help you through a flexible accounting system to pay HMRC directly.

A potentially complicated process is made smooth, quick and entirely transparent.

It sits alongside all the other services

offered by Chambers of Commerce to enable businesses to operate and thrive in today’s global economy. Businesses now have the opportunity to access more of their customs information in one place.

Brexit and Beyond In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, businesses and governments across Europe have been trying to get to grips with the implications for crossborder trade. Whilst the details are not finalised, it’s clear that bringing goods into the UK from the EU will involve a lot more paperwork than it does now.

To give some idea of the scale, around

180,000 UK businesses only trade within the EU, 68,000 only trade outside the EU and 73,000 trade in both. The EU27 accounts for just over half of all imports into the UK so the volume of ‘checked’ goods passing through our ports will increase significantly. Being outside the customs union will mean that imports into the UK from the EU will be treated the same as those from the rest of the world. They will shift from being goods in free circulation within the EU, to imports subject to duty and VAT. Traders today complete around 55 million declarations annually, which, according to the ONS, could rise to around 300 million at

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. This will impact every business that imports or exports goods.

ChamberCustoms can help.

Making Customs Declarations Paperwork related to imports and exports is complex and can be confusing. To add to the difficulty, goods will be subject to increased border checks when we leave the EU, with any one of 26 government agencies taking an interest. For example, livestock and animal products will get the attention of the Plant Health Agency, the Port Health Authorities and the Rural Payments Agency. Other agencies

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include Trading Standards, Environmental Health and the National Measurement Office. They all operate at ports to protect consumers, and businesses, from products that are a risk to safety, are counterfeit, could harm our environment or simply aren’t what they say they are.

As an importer or exporter, making a declaration requires you to understand everything about the goods you are clearing from a customs perspective.

You need to know: • The tariff code for each item in your consignment?

• Do your goods require any special licenses or certificates?

• Does the UK have a trade agreement in place with the country of export from the UK? • Are your goods subject to any quotas?

• Are you importing under a customs procedure?

• What is the origin of the goods?

• What duty and VAT will you expect to pay at import?

• What is the correct valuation of your imported goods, including freight and insurance costs?

It’s a businesses’ responsibility to get the paperwork right. Suppliers can advise you on compliance, and even make the declaration for you, but it is YOUR company making the declaration and you will be liable if it’s wrong, so you need a customs broker you can trust. Incorrect declarations could lead to delays and in certain cases, HMRC could impose penalties or prosecute you. In the more serious cases people have been sent to jail.

Put simply, we’re unique because we have direct relationships with every port in the UK. This means we don’t need to rely on any third parties to clear goods for import and export. Most other customs brokers have to rely on third parties to offer a fully national service, exposing you to a loss of control and potentially effecting the accuracy, speed and cost of their service. It can also expose traders to penalties from the tax authorities.

Unlike other customs brokers our pricing structure is completely transparent.

We charge a small fee to process your declaration directly through HMRC, plus a fixed 10% handling charge for the port fees which we will pay on your behalf.

For more information, contact Laura Connor lconnor@renfrewshirechamber.com or Bob Grant bgrant@renfrewshirechamber.com or visit www.chambercustoms.co.uk

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SCOTTISH CHAMBERS DEPUTY CEO CHARANDEEP SINGH RECEIVES POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD FROM PRIME MINISTER A volunteer from Glasgow who has galvanised the Sikh community to deliver over 80,000 meals and food parcels to families across Scotland in response to the pandemic has today received Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s daily Points of Light award.

Charandeep Singh, who is deputy chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Charandeep formed the ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ at the Singh start of lockdown to provide support for shielding and vulnerable households.

The project organises the delivery of groceries and cooked meals, as well as providing a volunteer shopping service for those who are self-isolating and a check-in phone service, available in both English and Punjabi. Supported by a 50-strong team of Sikh volunteers, Charandeep has led the delivery of meals and food parcels to families across Glasgow as well as in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

In a personal letter to Charandeep, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Over the last few months we have all been uplifted by the stories of those who have brought their communities together in the service of others.

“So I wanted to write personally to thank you and everyone involved with The Sikh Food Bank for the fantastic support that you have provided during our battle against Coronavirus.

“I was amazed to hear that your team of volunteers have now delivered 80,000 meals and food parcels to families across Glasgow and I am

delighted to be able to recognise the scale of this achievement by naming you as the UK’s 1470th Point of Light.”

Chris Stephens, MP for Glasgow South West, said: “I am delighted that Charandeep Singh, as the founder of the Sikh Foodbank in Glasgow, has been recognised through the Points of Light Award. This award is deserved recognition for Charandeep’s hard work, passion and dedication to helping others. While leading a team of 50 volunteers the Sikh Foodbank has delivered over 80,000 meals and food parcels, making a real difference to so many across Glasgow during the COVID pandemic, Charandeep is an inspiration and role model to us all.”

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Charandeep said: “It is a great privilege for ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ to be honoured with a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister. This pandemic has been a testing time for us all – that is why I and many volunteers made it our mission to provide food and support.

Since starting ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ in March, we have delivered over 80,000 meals to those in need. The Points of Light award recognises those efforts and is dedicated to all our volunteers who stepped up to serve the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The Prime Minister’s UK daily Points of Light award was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live. Charandeep is the 1470th person to be recognised. As the UK unites to fight the spread of coronavirus, the award is focusing exclusively on people serving their community through the pandemic.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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New Members On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Chamber staff, we would like to welcome onboard the following new members.

Dallas McMillan

Queue Advertising Ltd

Switchease

Solicitors Terence Docherty 0141 333 6750 terencedocherty@dallasmcmillan.co.uk

Publishing Design & Print Chris Davies 0141 237 1300 chris@queueadvertising.co.uk

Utilities Jim Low 07525462667 jim@switchease.co.uk

First Aid Scotland Ltd

Renfrewshire Deliveries – Removals

QIoT

First Aid Sales & Training Duncan Turnbull 0141 248 4969 duncan@firstaidscotland.co.uk

Connected Chiropractic Chiropratic Care & Massage Therapy Katie Graham 0141 887 0444 hello@connectedchiropractic.co.uk

Mackay Joiners & Builders Ltd Joiners & Builders Gillian Mackay 07762 517292 gillmackayjoiners@hotmail.co.uk

Maxsafe Solutions Training Provider for Health and Safety Consultants Willie Chrystal 0141 562 9125 willie@maxsafe.co.uk

MK Business Psychology Occupational and Business psychologists Kate Wilcock 0141 333 4750 kate.wilcock@mkbp.co.uk

Opere Facto Ltd IT Consultancy Robert Watson 07980 803259 bob@operefacto.co.uk

Paisley Apartments Ltd Accommodation Provider David Ross 0141 884 1325 david@apartmentsinpaisley.co.uk

Provan Sports Ltd T/A Pitch Teamwear Sports Retail / Teamwear David Provan 0141 483 9777 david@provansports.com

Deliveries – Removal David Maclean 07983 655816 info@renfrewshiredeliveries.co.uk

Right Way Credit Union Savings & Loans Karen Wallace 0141 889 7442 info@rwcu.co.uk

We Are Brass Tacks Ltd Consultancy Posey Clunie 0141 212 2481 hello@wearebrasstacks.com

Who Cares? Scotland Renfrewshire Charity - Children who Care Julie McTaggart / Denny Ford JMacTaggart@whocaresscotland.org dford@whocarescotland.org

BEYONDHR HR & Employment Law Natalie O’Hare 07892 718 519 natalie@wegobeyondhr.com

Avison Young Property/Surveyors Alison Taylor / Lesley Wood 0141 300 8000 getintouch.uk@avisonyoung.com

Dimension Shopfitting/Construction Martin Smith 0141 762 4940 Martin.smith@dimension.uk.com

Energy How Ltd Renewal Energy Emanuel Howell 07904 048 138 emanuel@energyhowuk.com

Computing/IT Frank Quinn 07501262723 frank.quinn@qiot.co.uk

Ross Wilson Public Relations Media Relations Ross Wilson 0141 563 3131 ross@rosswilsonpr.com

Love Towels Retail Margaret McGregor Oliver 0141 266 0193 hello@lovetowels.co.uk

AbilityNet Training Chris Grant 0800 048 7642 chris.grant@abilitynet.org.uk

The Improvement Partners Ltd Management Consulting Bill Wright & Derek McIntyre 0794 981 8525 bwimprovementpartners@gmail.com dmimprovementpartners@gmail.com

Hermes Business Solutions Utilities Pete Richards 07500058085 pete@hermesbusinesssolutions.co.uk

Cole AD Advertising, Design & Digital Agency.

Stephen Cole 0141 471 8626 stephen@cole-ad.co.uk

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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NMIS Boeing programme takes off from Westway, Renfrew

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, has announced that it has signed a lease with property investment firm Canmoor for a unit at Westway Park in Renfrew, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. The facility will be primarily used for the Group’s £11.8 million research and development programme with the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing.

The space, over 60,000 sq ft, will be refurbished to accommodate the personnel and equipment needed for the Boeing programme, It will also house other state-of-the-art advanced engineering equipment to be used in projects with other manufacturing businesses including a purpose built area dedicated to advancing the use of additive manufacturing in Scotland.

The Boeing programme, run by the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the only High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre in Scotland, will see the company establish an R&D team at the Westway facility working with AFRC’s leading forming and forging technologists. Boeing has hired a team to work on the programme and it is expected that the personnel will be on

site later this year.

The programme will demonstrate innovative manufacturing processes and technologies related to metallic components, building upon research previously conducted at the AFRC. Through these technologies and building capability in others, the team will be investigating reducing material wastage, possibilities to improve safety, productivity and environmental impact.

The programme comes as the result of the University of Strathclyde and the AFRC building a successful relationship with Boeing over a number of decades, with the aerospace giant being one of the founding members of the specialist technology centre.

It is part funded by Scottish Enterprise with a contribution of £3.5 million to Boeing for the programme. This is one of the initial actions to come from the Boeing Scotland Alliance, which was set up between the two organisations to explore opportunities to work together in Scotland, with the aim of doubling Boeing’s supply chain in the country. This could be worth tens of millions of pounds to the Scottish economy and could see 200 new quality jobs created over the next five years.

The announcement comes a year after the official opening of the Lightweight

Manufacturing Centre at Westway Park, the second specialist technology centre within the NMIS Group.

Speaking about the new facility, John Reid, the new CEO of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, said: “This facility is a significant step not only in the development of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, but also in bolstering the future of manufacturing across the country post lockdown.

“We are delighted to be bringing Boeing to Scotland at this time to work on such a critical project with our team and play a crucial role in developing the aerospace supply chain across the country for generations to come.

Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and Managing Director of Boeing in the UK and Ireland, said: “We announced our broader Boeing Scotland Alliance with Scottish Enterprise in March at the AFRC because this R&D programme was a cornerstone of that agreement.

“Seeing such progress with the signing of this lease amid the challenges of 2020 is a testament to the teams involved and a precursor of what we know we will achieve through the talent and resources found in the Glasgow City Region and throughout Scotland.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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KICKSTART IN RENFREWSHIRE

Kickstart is the UK Government scheme providing funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Kickstart is coming to Renfrewshire through a partnership between Renfrewshire Council’s employability experts Invest in Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and Engage Renfrewshire.

Pooling our experience, we will bid for placements on behalf of Renfrewshire businesses and charities and help with skills and training support throughout the six-month placement.

Full details are outlined on the Council’s dedicated web page: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/kickstart Roles should be a minimum of 25 hours a week for six months and pay at least the National Minimum Wage for the person’s age group.

The roles shouldn’t require people to undertake extensive training before they begin and they must be new jobs, not replacing an existing job or planned vacancy or cause an existing employee or contractor to lose or reduce their employment.

How do I register my interest to provide a placement?

If you are able to offer one or more job placements then please complete the Kickstart in Renfrewshire survey to register your interest and we will be in touch to discuss the details.

Kickstart in Renfrewshire survey Commenting on the launch of the Kickstart scheme, allowing employers to offer government-subsidised work placements for young people aged between 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, Renfrewshire Chamber chief exec Bob Grant said “At a time when cashflow is tight, this fully funded scheme will help employers bring young people into the workplace and develop new talent for the future.

“To be successful, Kickstart needs to create long-term, quality employment opportunities and ensure that both businesses and employees are fully supported throughout the placement.

“Rooted in local business communities, the Renfrewshire Kickstart partnership with Invest in Renfrewshire & Engage Renfrewshire is working to bring companies and young people together to create new jobs."

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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So what’s been happening over at Ingliston?

Ingliston Country Club & Hotel environmental/eco agenda continues with as much enthusiasm as ever with their estate nurseries bursting with an abundance of herbs and plants from their polytunnels all of which are used by their chefs in their kitchens and they are growing meadow flowers that are specifically for use in weddings. Ground preparation is also well underway for fruit-bearing orchards and with chicken coops now in place they will soon be welcoming chickens and then their eggs.

The recent addition of beehives will produce honey that can again they will use in their kitchens. They are very proud to have one of the largest solar panel areas in Scotland which allow Ingliston to be completely green with their reusable energy, and for those of us who visit we know that Ingliston is beautifully illuminated in the evening, it’s reassuring to know that this their process for powering those lights.

Ingliston is supporting the environment even further with the introduction of electric car charging points situated in the main car park. All light bulbs are energy efficiency and their approach to laundry means that that they conserve on any wastage. Not stopping there they also reuse the horse manure (of which they have plenty) as a nutrient-rich fertiliser!

It’s clear that maintaining a sustainable and eco-conscious business and preparing and safeguarding for the future is the right at the heart and passion of Ingliston making it a destination of choice whether you wish to eat, sleep or play there is something for everyone.

www.ingliston.com Call: 01505 864 333 email: reservations@ingliston.com follow us on social media:- Facebook: Ingliston Country Club & Hotel Instagram: inglistoncountryclub Twitter: @Ingliston

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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J.G.B Steelcraft When Boris Johnson announced lockdown on 23rd March we had an emergency Management Meeting to discuss the possibility of closing our doors for the foreseeable future. Very quickly it became apparent that we had to work through these uncertain times to the best of our ability. We supply key industries such as the Ministry of Defence, Petrochemical, Nuclear & Security and it was vital that we continued to serve these sectors.

Within a matter of days all of our staff were declared “key workers” and were issued an “Essential Travel” Authority Letter from the Ministry of Defence. Our key worker status was given as recognition from the Ministry of Defence that the work carried out by J.G.B Steelcraft (UK) Limited was critical to the delivery of key defence outputs at that time.

With our key worker status confirmed we immediately went to work carrying out Covid-19 risk assessments. The safety of our staff was paramount. We spoke to our full workforce to gauge how everyone felt about staying open. We proposed condensing our working week from 5 days to 4 days whilst enabling salaries to remain the same. After putting this suggestion to a “workers vote” we had an overwhelming majority in favour of this proposal. We immediately put this in place which resulted in a reduction of footfall into the factory and benefited those employees with a family to have an extra day at home. Where possible we encouraged office staff to work from home and in a short space of time we set up remote access systems to enable this to happen.

For those unable to work from home (i.e. our workers on the factory floor) we set up staggered breaks, placed signs throughout as reminders to social distance. We had guidance in place to avoiding sharing workstations, 2 metre distance signage painted on the factory floor, a one-way traffic system, hand sanitising stations and suitable PPE. With the building now empty on a Friday that enabled us to employ a contract cleaner to do a weekly deep clean on that day.

As other companies begin their phased return to work we will continue to keep our safety measures in place.

During the first stages of lockdown it became clear very quickly that there was a lack of PPE within the NHS and Care Sectors. We were approached to manufacture face shields for a client that was going to donate them to the NHS

Glasgow and Inverclyde. At the time, we were unaware that our machinery could produce such an item but we were determined to assist if we could. After some research, we were able to produce a batch of 2,000 face shields.

Now aware of our capabilities to produce these face shields and eager to make a difference in these uncertain times we decided to help as best we could with the shortage of PPE. We bought the necessary material and began to work around the clock producing these face shields and donating them to local charities, NHS and care sectors. As word spread we were approached by many establishments around the UK. We estimate to have donated in the region of 4,500 face shields in total. Whilst our donations continue, we also received an overwhelming number of enquiries from businesses looking to purchase these for the retail and leisure industry and we now stock and sell them as an additional level of protection for their staff.

As the country closed down and we were all advised to stay home and stay safe we noticed a new trend and rise in online purchases on our website of

outdoor garden edging, planters and roofing. It appeared that we were all spending more time and money in our gardens as this would be where we would be spending our summer rather than going on holiday. This increase in spending lead us to begin designing and manufacturing bespoke fire pits and chimineas (after all Scotland isn’t the warmest of countries!). This new venture has proved very successful and became a real talking point amongst the staff and seemed to boost morale in the workshop as this was the first time we started selling Business to Consumer (B2C).

Rather than take advantage of the governments furlough scheme we have been lucky enough to keep all of our staff working. We have also employed a further 3 new full time employees including our first female welder. We have a hard-working faithful team who have worked tirelessly throughout this epidemic to keep our clients’ needs fulfilled and the economy running for which we are extremely grateful.

Andrew O’Brien Managing Director J.G.B Steelcraft (UK) Limited

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Kibble Inspires In the face of a global pandemic, this year has brought significant challenges, and there has certainly been no exception for Paisley-based child and youth care charity Kibble. As an organisation that provides specialist care, education and support to children and young people with experience of trauma or neglect, they had to act quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of young people and staff.

Much like the children and young people we support, Kibble is a resilient organisation that has overcome significant social, political and economic challenges throughout our 160-year history. As news of the COVID-19 virus began to circulate, Kibble’s leadership team established an operational model that would ensure the sustainability of our 24/7 essential services. While an organisation can never be fully prepared for an unprecedented event such as this, our robust Organisational Resilience Approach encompassing Enterprise Risk Management and Business Continuity, enabled us to effectively anticipate, respond and recover from the challenges set by the pandemic. This has been strengthened with an investment in research, consultancy and training which has enabled us to develop a forwardthinking approach to identifying and mitigating risk, and effectively responding to this.

How Kibble Has Responded to the COVID-19 crisis Perhaps one of the main adaptations from this time of crisis is how we have harnessed digital technology to provide greater efficiency and connectivity. With government lockdown restrictions in place, we successfully supported children and young people to stay in contact with their families, social workers and advocates through video technology.

Across Kibble, employees were given access to Microsoft Teams and Skype, allowing both internal and external meetings to take place virtually. Video technology was also used for important meetings including Children’s Hearings, Looked After Children’s Reviews and Foster Carer Assessments.

In response to the closure of schools and nurseries, Kibble quickly established a dedicated childcare facility providing free childcare for all staff. This proved a lifeline for many, enabling staff to continue working, safe in the knowledge that their children were being well cared for. This service received high praise and we’re currently in the process of scoping the option of a permanent nursery provision.

To ensure the continuity of our 24/7 service and maintain the highest standard of care for young people, Kibble launched a recruitment drive within the Renfrewshire area. There was a focus on recruiting Child and Youth Care Workers to support children and young people in residential care. This proved successful,

creating a series of job opportunities for local resident’s keen to develop their career, or indeed establish a new career, in the social care sector. As one of the largest employers in the area, with 66% of our staff from the Renfrewshire, Glasgow and Inverclyde areas, we’re committed to supporting the local labour market while providing ongoing training opportunities and qualifications.

As part of our commitment to supporting the growth of the Renfrewshire economy, we ensured a local supplier engagement approach to the purchasing of essential items including Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and catering supplies. To support local families facing food poverty, we volunteered our support with FairShare

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

to deliver essential food parcels weekly to the Tannahill Community Centre for distribution to seven local foodbanks.

In addition, through our historic new partnership with St Mirren Football Club, we have been able to enhance education, training and employment opportunities for our young people as well as supporting regeneration and community initiatives.

As an organisation, Kibble provides a wide range of therapeutic and emotional supports for children, young people, families and staff through our team of psychologists and therapeutic practitioners. During this period of uncertainty, we enhanced our existing offering to include several additional supports. For children and young

Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive of the Kibble Group

41

people, as well as maintaining important connections, structure and routine and ongoing therapeutic sessions, we also launched an application called Mind of My Own. This provided a platform for young people to share their views, feelings and get their opinions heard using a medium that’s familiar to them. By using the app, young people can communicate with social workers, key workers, advocates and other designated adults who are there to support them through a computer, mobile phone or tablet. For staff, we created a confidential therapeutic support line ‘Safe Space to Talk’ where they could talk to an in-house, trained counsellor.

The success of this initiative influenced our decision to roll this out to care workers across the UK, as well as players

and staff at our partner organisation St Mirren Football Club.

As the country moves from response to recovery and we establish a ‘new norm’, what has become apparent is the need for local organisations to support each other to get the Renfrewshire economy back on its feet following this turbulent period. With heightened unemployment contributing to complex social issues including food poverty, homelessness and declining mental health, there’s never been a greater need for collaborative working. So, whether its supporting local suppliers, volunteering time and resource to community-based projects, or offering advice and support, each one of us has a role to play in shaping our community, and through time we can build back better.

Business Matters Autumn 2020

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How COVID-19 reshaped Home Instead Senior Care Renfrewshire & Barrhead When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Home Instead Senior Care Renfrewshire & Barrhead was quick to act. As a local company that provides care to elderly people, the business knew that it had to adapt in order to safeguard clients. But just as important was to ensure that its team of caregivers became even more knowledgeable, trained and resourced to continue their important work at such a crucial time.

Paul Armstrong, owner of Home Instead Senior Care Renfrewshire & Barrhead, says “The emergence of the COVID-19 virus made me acutely aware of the risks raised by the pandemic, and I ordered my first boxes of face masks in early February when I read the Chinese reports into the new emerging Coronavirus.”

The business took some specific changes to ensure that the business could adapt to a challenging few months, and ensure that

operations could still run successfully.

The team adopted a tablet-based care plan and activity planning tool: Access Care Plan. This reduced the business’ use of paper, and meant that all hands-on care is supported by efficient digital processes, including activity logs.

The ability to run face to face training sessions to caregivers was limited, so the business adopted the ‘My Learning Cloud’ platform to manage staff training and provide a matrix to track and improve compliance. The new team members were the first to adopt the new channel, but existing team members were able to access infection control modules to enhance their learning. This meant that all members of staff were up to date with the guidance coming from the WHO, National Government and UK Government, which in the early stages was revised on a regular basis.

As the crisis developed, the business

invested in smart technology. This included ‘moving sensor systems’ in clients’ homes, which keep families and caregivers aware of activities in the home.

The system known as Home Aware, which is the result of a collaboration between Anthropos and Home Instead, has created an integrated system that tracks and reports movement, fluid intake and sleep patterns of individuals. This allows them to continue living independently, while reassuring their families that they are safe and well.

Lockdown has meant that now more than ever, people appreciate the benefits of qualified caregivers, who ensure that elderly people are safe and well at home.

With better technology, improved client offering and a team who know how to navigate through a crisis, Home Instead Senior Care Renfrewshire & Barrhead is ready for any other challenges that might come its way.

A JOB WELL DONE! Linstone’s lockdown heroes who kept on working to keep community looking great HARDWORKING and dedicated housing association staff have been hailed as “Linstone’s lockdown heroes.”

Seven members of the Association’s “estates team” stepped forward to carry on working throughout the health emergency – and in doing so kept Linstone’s communities looking great.

Now they have been praised for their dedication by the Association AND by residents.

Half of the 14 members of the estates team were needed to keep on working during the health emergency and seven volunteered immediately. The entire team is now back at work.

Safety has been paramount with the staff ensuring social distancing with a strong emphasis on wearing personal protection equipment to allow them to carry out their duties safely.

Patsy McFadden, Chair of the Langholm

Tenants’ and Residents’ Association in Linwood, said: “The estates team have been magnificent. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them and they are always willing to help tenants. We are lucky to have them.”

Linstone’s Director of Housing and Property Services David Adam said the Association was very grateful for the compliments received about the estates team.

David said: “All 14 of the estates team bring enthusiasm and commitment to the roles. Their dedication to keeping people safe and making sure we didn’t lose sight of the need to keep the community looking good speaks for itself.”

Adele Fraser, Chief Executive of Linstone, added: “The entire staff team at Linstone have been working very hard to support our tenants in these unprecedented times. It’s no

Magnficent seven! The members of the Linstone Estates team who originally volunteered to work during the lockdown.

They have since been joined by the remaining seven members of the 14-strong team.

understatement to say that many lives have been thrown into turmoil by the pandemic.

“The estates team have shown huge dedication to keeping our services going.

We know from tenant feedback that their work is considered highly important because it is so visible. We are proud of every one of them.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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TUNE IN TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY PAISLEY FM playing a vital role in keeping people informed during pandemic RADIO station Paisley FM is making sure people are tuned in to all they need to know during the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular community station is playing a vital role for listeners keen to hear the latest on the ongoing emergency.

Now in a huge boost to its work Paisley FM has been given funding to ensure community groups can communicate what THEY have to say.

The station – staffed entirely by 43 volunteers including 23 unpaid presenters – has been awarded £1880 from the Scottish Government “Supporting Communities Fund”.

It was handed over by Linstone Housing which has been appointed a “community anchor organisation” in Renfrewshire with the aim of distributing the Government cash. The Supporting Communities Fund was set up by the Scottish Government with the aim of helping communities badly affected by the ongoing health emergency.

Paisley FM said this week the welcome cash was enabling it to engage with more people using the latest technology so groups can broadcast what they are doing to Paisley FM’s audience.

This has come about with the purchase of new software and equipment such as microphones so such groups can join them on air without leaving their existing location. This is vital in an age of social distancing when visitors to Paisley FM’s studio are prohibited.

Paisley FM Director Norman Ross - a

veteran of radio broadcasting who was instrumental in the launch of hospital broadcasting in Paisley in 1969 - said the money was a “huge boost” to the work of the station which is also a charity.

The station recognises the essential role it has to play in telling people of help available within the community – particularly important in informing isolated or vulnerable residents who are “shielding” and who may not be connected online.

Admirably, Paisley FM has been broadcasting “public service announcements” from the Scottish Government such as coronavirus stay safe updates totally free of charge.

Norman said: “We are enormously grateful for this funding as it allows us to use up-to-the-minute broadcasting software to make it easier for people to connect with us.

“Paisley FM is proud to be playing our part in keeping people informed – notably telling them what help is available from the many wonderful organisations throughout Renfrewshire who are doing their bit.”

Paisley FM is already working closely with Engage Renfrewshire which helps charities and community organisations throughout Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire’s Star Project.

Meanwhile, in a new development this week, Paisley FM has set up a dedicated email address to encourage people to share their news about what’s on offer

Paisley FM’s Norman Ross

to the community – and the work they are doing - during the pandemic. It is communityinfo@paisleyfm.co.uk Any news sent into this email address will be considered for broadcast and for the station’s website.

Adele Fraser, Chief Executive of Linstone Housing said: “Paisley FM is doing an incredible job broadcasting news of what help is available to people during the health emergency. Radio is an essential link to the outside world for many people – especially those who don’t use the internet. Paisley FM is yet another example of how Renfrewshire organisations are working together for the good of our communities during difficult times.”

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THE BRAVE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS! “Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company” returns to work after a boost to keep staff safe

Michelle Ferguson (front) with the team at the company

A PIONEERING Renfrewshire enterprise is back in business after receiving a boost to combat the effects of coronavirus.

“Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company” is a recipient of emergency Covid funding to get it back in action.

The hugely-admired organisation – which is based at the Erskine Veterans Village Estate - provides employment and development opportunities for Armed Forces Veterans and others with disabilities who may need support adjusting to life after service.

The enterprise enables individuals to “move forward in a supportive, professional workplace, delivering high quality products and services.”

Now the organisation – part of Royal British Legion Industries - has received £7595 in funding to allow its factory to reopen and for employees to return to work. It applied for the funding and was successful with its application.

The funding has been used to create a safe working environment while ensuring social distance obligations are met. These

include new workbenches, sinks, hand washing stations, deep cleaning and personal protection equipment.

Such costs can often have a crippling effect on the finances of any business or organisation so this helping hand has made a huge difference.

The funding was handed over by Linstone Housing which has been appointed a “community anchor organisation” in Renfrewshire with the aim of distributing the money from the Scottish Government.

It has come from the Government’s Supporting Communities Fund - set up with the aim of helping communities badly-affected by the ongoing health emergency.

The enterprise operates form a state-ofthe-art factory and offers a diverse range of services. These include producing bespoke engineering, high quality signs used across industry including roads and highways along with printing services and direct mailing.

Adele Fraser, Chief Executive of Linstone Housing said: “Scotland’s

Bravest Manufacturing Company are a truly worthy recipient of this money because of the vital role it fulfils. Like so many social enterprises, its commitment to employment and the wider community is admirable.”

Michelle Ferguson, Director of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, added: “We are so grateful to Linstone Housing and the team for the professional way in which our application was administered.

We also benefited greatly from the additional support including Zoom meet-ups where we heard of the other inspirational work being delivered in our communities that our team can receive assistance from.

“Social isolation amongst veterans and others with disabilities can be a major problem, so getting everyone together again was crucial. Receiving this amount of vital funds helped us re-open safely and for that, we simply cannot thank the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund and Linstone Housing enough.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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ALLSTAFF ADAPTS TO THE NEW WORLD OF BUSINESS

Carolyn Moir Grant

Well-respected recruitment consultancy, Allstaff, based in Paisley have experienced many storms in their 40 years in business. The COVID-19 impact however has been the greatest challenge this business has faced, but there have been silver linings for the company and the candidates they serve in these tough times.

Their managing director, Carolyn Moir Grant explains: “Allstaff have been seeing a greater demand for the Manufacturing and Warehouse Sector with many daily and on-going assignments increasing across Scotland. Given that some of these roles can be at entry level these sectors have been essential for those recently unemployed and or facing redundancy.”

Temporary work has many benefits that can lead to longer term opportunities. A lot of the roles are national minimum wage, but can and do increase for many after 12 weeks.

Martin McGill, Business Director, continues: “Allstaff were tested to the limits, but we are a strong team. We used the lockdown time to look at our business and stress test areas that we knew could improve, but had always been too busy to really explore.”

Ryan Robinson, Divisional Director: “The efficiencies we identified included major improvements to our website and online registration for candidates.”

Working with the Glasgow based design & digital agency, Cole AD, the website now has extra features and CRM functionality to help things run more smoothly.

Carolyn concludes: “Video interviews have become the norm now and this has also proven to be a great success for our recruitment consultancy. It is certainly safe and adheres to

Martin McGill

Ryan Robinson

social distancing that’s for sure. The main priority for Allstaff is looking after our people, our candidates & clients!”

If you’re looking for employment, please get in touch with the Allstaff team on 0141 887 1137 or visit www.allstaff.co.uk

Improvement

Recommendations Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Contact us today!

ENSURE YOUR WEBSITE IS DRIVING CONVERSIONS COMING OUT OF COVID-19

T H E D I G I TA L [ A N A LY S I S ] P E O P L E

Coming out of COVID-19 lockdown, it’s important to ensure all parts of a business are running efficiently and effectively. Digital (websites, digital marketing etc) is no exception.

Over the coming months, many companies may find they have limited time and budgets to spend on digital, despite the obvious benefits of a strong digital presence highlighted during lockdown.

When it comes to digital marketing and website performance, it’s important to better understand exactly what is (or is not!) driving form submissions, lead signups and transactions, particularly if resources are limited.

Understanding exactly what is or isn’t working online allows you to better prioritise both the time and money you’re allocating.

We recommend familiarising yourself with some powerful and free analytics tools to get you started:

A/B Testing: Unsure which layout, headline, image or Call-to-Action button colour results in most form submissions?

A/B Testing allows you to run multiple variations of the same page, at the same time. 50% of visitors are shown one version. 50% are shown another version.

The result will be a statistical report detailing exactly which combinations perform best, not to mention the reduction in internal subjective team debate about who prefers what!

Google Analytics: Access key insights about your website and digital marketing performance, including: • Performance differences between desktop and mobile.

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which help keep people on the website.

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• Ensuring Google Analytics is fully setup can help you better understand what is or isn’t working, allowing you to prioritise and plan your ongoing developments and marketing.

Heat Mapping: A visual representation of how users interact with pages on your website. Quick and clear insights into where users click, hover and scroll as they read your content.

An easy to understand reporting tool, often free or very low cost to access, we’ve yet to meet a client who hasn’t been impressed with the simple visual output heat map tracking provides.

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Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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A publication that prides itself on being For Renfrewshire, By Renfrewshire, on average, 6,000 magazines will reach 18,000 to 24,000 readers and potential customers every issue.

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To book your advert, call Paul on 0773 998 9969 or email paul@millmagazine.co.uk millmagazine_

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Business Matters Autumn 2020

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Bringing luxury to Renfrewshire 2020 has been a tumultuous year for those looking to start up a new business venture. Yet for those who have supreme confidence in not only their abilities but the quality of their product and presentation, it’s been a calculated leap worth taking.

Margaret McGregor Oliver, after plying her trade in the corporate textiles industry for 36 years, put all her energy into her passion for all things towels, bathrobes and bathmats. Paisley based business Love Towels offers a peerless product that you’d be more accustomed to luxuriating in during a weekend retreat than on a day-to-day basis.

Inspired by the town’s illustrious history of innovation in textiles, the packaging is adorned to represent its point of dispatch and this new enterprise serves as a spiritual extension of that proud heritage.

Embroidery and monogramming service available plus a free laundry kit with every purchase, Love Towels isn’t just a stellar addition to your own home but makes a thoughtful gift idea for weddings, anniversaries and housewarming.

Love Towels is here to take your bathing experience to new heights.

Visit lovetowels.co.uk and place an order, view testimonials or purchase a gift voucher now.

Corporate enquiries welcome from new home builders, boutique hotels and luxury bathroom suppliers 0141 266 0193 who may want to consider offering as a thankyou gift to their customers for choosing their brand.

Margaret McGregor Oliver

Our Covid -19 response effort Mabbett have been delivering safety, environment and engineering training and consultancy advice for over 24 years. Like all businesses during the extraordinary ‘lockdown’ period with COVID-19, we had to find a new way of ‘doing business’ and supporting our clients. In response, Mabbett launched: OSEE Support Service remote access to our talented team for flexible technical advice.

For our staff, 8 regional offices expanded to over 50 home offices as home working became the new norm.

Mabbett remained open and our team quickly adapted; delivering virtual training workshops, tele-HAZOP’s, troubleshooting using video content and as we started to emerge out of lockdown, supporting our clients prepare to get employees back to work.

Example success stories include: Remote delivery of highly interactive circular economy workshops on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland.

Clinics for fellow members of the Centre for Education Engineering and Development (CeeD) delivered via webinars on the topics of Environmental

Legal Compliance; Site Strategic Planning for Net Zero Carbon; Water Management, and Integrated Management Systems Continual Improvement.

Our Process Safety Team delivered a remote-ATEX assessment update of a pharmaceutical process to allow for production to be increased; both quickly and safely.

Our Training Team have very successfully delivered highly engaging ‘virtual classroom’ risk assessment and electromagnetic fields (EMF) training as well as the 5-day IEMA Foundation Certificate Course in Environmental Management.

Our Safety Team developed a presentation on COVID-19 Return to Work Risk Assessments, delivered via webinar to fellow members of Renfrewshire and Glasgow Chambers of Commerce as well as CeeD. During lockdown and as we continue to emerge, The Senior Management Team have acknowledged the wider impact of COVID-19 on work and family life and as such encouraged staff and their families to get involved in support activities and fun challenges:

• Helping staff to adjust to new ways of working via e-learning and most recently, virtual training session for staff on ‘Working Out Home Working.’

• Having a focus on regular staff contact and calls focused on wellbeing and mental health with access to our Mental Health First Aiders.

• Strong communication via a fortnightly all staff update call.

• Regular team challenges (toilet roll, team quiz and bake-off challenges) to feel connected and raise money for charities who have been the hardest hit.

Please visit us on LinkedIn to learn more about remote working support and company activities or contact Suzanne Lindsay at Lindsay@mabbett. eu or T: 07771 957063.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Mackay Joiners And Builders Ltd Transforming homes throughout Renfrewshire and beyond since 2016, Mackay Joiners And Builders Ltd is a family business based in Renfrew.

If you are looking to upgrade your home, we will project manage the entire process, dealing with all relevant trades to take the stress out of your renovations. Specialising in home extensions and conversions, we can remodel a cluttered, chaotic existence into a spacious, relaxed environment.

Through regular, clear communication we set realistic expectations to guide you through each stage of the build, within minimal upheaval.

Our friendly, professional team of time-served tradesmen and approved sub-contractors work to the highest standards and take pride in leaving a tidy site throughout the process. You can be sure of an inspired, new living space, with projects completed within the agreed timescales and budget.

To book an appointment email gillmackayjoiners@hotmail.com or call 07841359623 to discuss how we can create the home of your dreams.

Contact Details: Directors: Crawford Mackay (07841359623) and Gill Mackay (07762517292) Mackay Joiners And Builders Ltd, 15 Blythswood Avenue, Renfrew PA4 8NX Facebook – MackayJoiners&BuildersLtd

Matheson Damp Services Our Family Business specialises in Damp Proofing and Timber Treatment services covering Central Scotland.

Over the previous year we had observed a gradual increase in sales as we slowly developed our business.

We first noticed a decline in enquiries late February this year as reports of Covid-19 began to increase.

By Mid - March a number of clients were cancelling planned works as a result of the virus. Many had children and were concerned about having workmen in their home. By the time Lockdown was announced, the business from a physical work viewpoint had ceased.

In the background however we spent time looking at the redevelopment of the business. This was time which would have ordinarily been extremely difficult to free up due to the work commitments. We examined our processes, the skills within our small team, and the opportunities available to assist us fine tune and expand the business.

We were fortunate to be able to utilise various online training courses suggested by Jill Carrino and hosted by the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

These were informative and offered us the opportunity to learn about digital marketing, Social Media and how best to use them in our business.

By late April enquiries were trickling through, although at a very reduced rate compared to pre Covid-19. We were unable to carry out surveys, but diarised appointments for when Lockdown eased.

We prioritised vacant properties to minimise risk of contact and followed HSE advice and guidelines to keep our staff and the public safe. Our staff undertook online Covid-19 training to prepare for going back into post Covid-19 lockdown life as an added safety measure.

By the end of May we had noted a large number of contractors carrying out work in client’s homes, but we remained wary of the risks to our clients and staff. Our structure had changed by this stage, as owner, I stepped back from the handson work to focus on development, networking and surveys.

Chris, my son, is now responsible for undertaking the practical damp and timber treatments and managing his team.

Norma, my wife, has joined us and is developing social media, digital marketing

and accounting.

We had utilised the Mentor scheme from the Chamber, and were paired with Mark Bradford, who specialises in supporting and developing small family businesses and have now engaged him to provide advice and assist on future growth.

We hold bi-weekly meetings on topics such as business opportunities, cash flow, personal development and best practices.

Survey requests have more than doubled compared to pre-Lockdown, and we have seen an increase in business and been able to focus on the way forward. An opportunity has arisen to develop and expand our business to the Western Isles which is an exciting prospect for the team.

In conclusion I would say that at the beginning of the pandemic we were very concerned as to the future of our business. However, having used our time constructively, with the support of the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, we are fortunate to be looking forward to an exciting future.

Alistair Matheson www.mathesondampservices.co.uk M:07718 997586

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MK Business Psychology MK Business Psychology, (along with our sister company, MK Recruit), are now in Paisley and providing equally effective support to our clients on a virtual basis.

MK Business Psychology: We specialise in evidence-based selection, assessment, and development services. By applying the science of people at work, our team of occupational and business psychologists help enhance individual, team, and organisational effectiveness and well-being.

We provide services to clients across the private and public sectors that combine scientific rigour with a deep appreciation of how people act, think, and feel. Using our psychological insight, we help clients achieve tangible business outcomes that are critical to delivering their strategic goals, e.g. hiring talent, increasing productivity, adapting more successfully to change, increasing employee engagement, helping staff reach their potential sooner, or increasing levels of innovation.

MK Recruit (Sister Company): After taking the time to truly understand client needs, our team of recruiters help create a premium talent pool by utilising the company’s extensive network and by applying specialist sourcing skills.

Finlay.tinto@mkbp.co.uk 0141 333 4750 www.mkbusinesspsychology.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/company/37458428/

OPERE FACTO

Hi, I’m Bob Watson from Opere Facto, a boutique IT consultancy and software development company that is based in Renfrewshire. It has been a very grim few months for most people and small business in particular have been badly affected.

We have tried to use the time productively, by researching new products and techniques and taking an online machine learning training course. We have stared development of a digital security product for families and professional couples, that goes beyond what is offered by antivirus software and your internet provider. The wild-west nature of the internet, the scamming, combined with the stealthy pilfering of your personal data by the big internet companies, doesn’t make for an attractive and safe environment. When launched, it will be subscription service and make your online life easier.

If you need a consultation, please contact us: LinkedIn @ Opere Facto, Twitter @FactoOpere or call:07980803259 or email: info@operefacto.co.uk

NK2 specialises in business development and marketing for small to medium enterprises We identify rising business opportunities, build long term relationships with prospects and address challenges to help take your business further.

Working side by side as your representative, and as part of your team, we’ll advise, action and deliver on all aspects of the process. Whether it’s social media, events, e-mailers, DM, or PR, we do whatever it takes to keep your business ahead of the competition whilst identifying new business opportunities.

To put simply, it’s our business to make your business grow.

NK2 Consultancy LTD Namiki Ikeshima – Founder & Marketing Director Kay Anderson – Founder & Business Development Director Email: hello@nk2consultancy.co.uk

Apartments in Paisley Do you have a requirement for overnight accommodation in Renfrewshire? Have you considered the benefits of Serviced Apartments?

We provide one- and two-bedroom apartments, near Paisley town centre offering space that’s at least twice the size of a typical hotel room. The availability of the facilities in the apartment mean you can cook whenever you wish, work (free fibre Wi-fi) whenever you need to work, and there’s the added space to relax and watch television in the privacy of a comfortable sitting room. We provide a complementary welcome pack (milk, bread, water, tea, coffee, butter, jam, cereal, biscuits etc) and rates are fully inclusive. The apartments are available from a minimum of two nights and all Chamber members benefit from a 10% discount if booked directly with us. Typical two night stay £130.00 inclusive of cleaning, toiletries and linen, generous discounts for weekly and monthly stays.

Tel 0141 884 1325(O) Tel 07857 8822588 david@apartmentsinpaisley.co.uk www.apartmentsinpaisley.co.uk

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Local Businesses Collaborate to help each other out At Paisley Drinks Company we hope you are all keeping healthy in these unprecedented times. We also wish to thank all the brave and committed people helping to keep our country on its feet.

At the Paisley Drinks Company, as with many other businesses, we lost 90% of our customers overnight. However, we knew we were not alone. So, we reached out to other local businesses to see if we could team up to provide a service that would help you all through the long hours of isolation.

We are all micro businesses in their early years of trading and don’t qualify for any of the Governments grants on offer! We are determined to help each other get through these difficult times and continue to offer you a range of different and exciting tastes and services we can now deliver directly to your doorstep.

So, we would like you to use your sense of adventure and try some of our fabulous and pretty unique products. Bring a little excitement to your day with one of 7 great product ranges to choose from.

Brian O’Shea, Paisley Drinks Co. “Since starting the business in June 2018 there has been a great response from consumers tasting real soda drinks for the first time. The business has grown from strength to strength, and we had big plans for 2020.

However, despite COVID-19 stopping the business in its tracks, I am determined to reach out to as many people as I can to share in the joy of tasting a refreshing soda drink made from

real ingredients. They also make great cocktails if you need to upgrade your home bar experience!!”

He added “It’s been great collaborating with some of my favourite Scottish Brands! I hope our platform provides a new opportunity to help them continue to supply customers. I hope consumers team up to support these growing businesses which are so important to the lifeblood of our local community.”

We now have over 7 local brands featured on our website and talks are ongoing with more local businesses. Hopefully, with your support this will offer a lifeline to each of these businesses. https://www.paisleydrinkscompany.com/shop

Paisley Housing Association - Response to Covid Paisley Housing Association, like many other registered social landlords across Scotland offers quality housing and housing services for its tenant and when the pandemic struck we realised that it was going to impact on our Tenants significantly. From the outset our focus was to try to assist our tenants, contacting them and offering support. After contacting our older tenants and setting up regular calls for those who wanted them we looked to see how we could maximise our tenants’ incomes and sought funding to enable us to do this.

We were delighted to secure £29,000 in funding from various sources and provided a range of support to those in crisis in the form of supermarket, fuel and mobile top up vouchers. These, along with advice on benefits and assistance in completing applications for example Universal Credit and the Scottish Welfare

Fund, have helped approximately 300 of our tenants cope better with the difficulties they have faced.

Working in partnership with others we have also been able to fund, or have access to, creative activities such as “boredom boxes” and “art boxes” for 89 of our tenants’ children and these have all been very well received. We have found that the simple things in life such as our 80 x £10 birthday cake vouchers for children which were introduced in June can make such a big difference in difficult times.

As well as supporting individual tenants we were also successful in securing “Supporting Communities” funding from the Scottish Government to act as a “community anchor” distributing funding to other agencies operating in our communities. As a result we have widened our Welfare Benefits Service and secured access to citizens advice bureau debt advice for tenants. We have

also assisted Renfrewshire Foodbank to expand to provide fuel vouchers along with food parcels and for Renfrewshire groups Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) and the STAR project to develop digital support for their customers.

Looking to the future we have just secured funding to extend our fuel vouchers into the winter months and we have an exciting 2 year Energy Project about to start in September which will help our tenants become more energy efficient and save money on utility bills.

We are also delighted to have secured funding to deliver a digital project which will help our business move towards delivering digital housing services which meet our tenants’ and customers’ needs.

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COMMSWORLD WINS MULTI-MILLION POUND DEAL TO TRANSFORM RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL’S DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITYFIBRE Commsworld, the leading UKwide provider of networking and connectivity solutions, has been awarded a £15 million contract by Renfrewshire Council to upgrade its digital connectivity and services across the region.

In a landmark deal lasting 17 years, Edinburgh-headquartered Commsworld is partnering with CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, to roll out full fibre connectivity to approximately 180 council buildings including schools, local libraries and community centres, as well the region’s CCTV and traffic control systems.

CityFibre will design, build, operate and own more than 80% of the new network, with Commsworld delivering connectivity to the remaining sites and providing all services over the new network.

Once completed, the full fibre network will transform Renfrewshire Council’s delivery of a range of frontline public sector services. School children will be significant beneficiaries with far faster and more reliable access to the internet. The full fibre network will also provide a futureproof platform for decades to come.

Construction in Renfrewshire is set to begin this summer creating a core network of approximately 130km.

CityFibre will be connecting public sector sites in Johnstone, Linwood, Paisley and Renfrew, whilst Commsworld will build full-fibre connectivity directly to sites in Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Erskine, Houston and Inchinnan.

This deal is the largest public sector contract agreed in the UK this year so far. Commsworld already has established a proven track record in radically modernising public sector networks in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Glasgow.

Commsworld Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Strang, said: “This is a very exciting new contract for Commsworld. We look forward to working with Renfrewshire Council to transform its Wide Area Network and delivering a step change in

the bandwidth available to the region’s schools.

“We have demonstrated a track record of success in delivering massively enhanced infrastructure to Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Glasgow, and look forward to delivering the same for Renfrewshire Council.”

Rob Hamlin, Chief Commercial Officer at CityFibre, said: “The Coronavirus has highlighted the critical role of digital connectivity in our daily lives and this will only continue to increase. We are delighted to be working alongside Commsworld to deliver such an important digital infrastructure project for Renfrewshire Council, one that underpins the area’s development and success for generations.

“Alongside our full fibre rollouts in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and most recently, Dundee and Inverness, creating thousands of jobs across the country, this latest project cements CityFibre’s major contribution to delivering a full fibre future for Scotland.”

Councillor John Shaw, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board said: “I’m very pleased we have agreed this new contract with Commsworld and its partner CityFibre, which represents a significant step in our plans to transform digital connectivity in Renfrewshire.

“This will greatly improve connectivity to our schools, tackle digital exclusion and ensure access to full-fibre connectivity at around 180 Council buildings, including local libraries, town halls, community centres and care homes.

“I am particularly pleased that the contractors will deliver a wide range of community benefits providing support for local projects and skills and training opportunities for young people. The Coronavirus outbreak has further underlined the critical importance of connectivity, which will be vital in Renfrewshire’s economic recovery and help to create a resilient network, benefiting all our communities.”

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CityFibre breaks ground on Renfrewshire’s full fibre network Landmark partnership with Renfrewshire Council will cover the historic towns of Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone, turning Renfrewshire into one of the best-connected regions in Scotland Renfrewshire is celebrating a major milestone in its digital transformation, with work now underway to bring full fibre infrastructure to homes and businesses across the region as part of a £40million private investment from CityFibre.

Building on its long-standing strategic relationship with Renfrewshire Council to upgrade its digital connectivity, CityFibre’s existing network, serving council buildings including schools, local libraries and community centres, will be extended by approximately 700km.

Construction work has officially commenced in Paisley, with the first homes and businesses expected to be able to connect to the network from early 2021. Across the UK, CityFibre is working with an increasing range of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deliver next generation broadband services.

PMK is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf and is following social distancing protocols to ensure the safety of the build team and the wider community.

CityFibre has appointed David Cannon, formerly of the David MacBrayne Group and Scottish Enterprise, as its City Manager with responsibility for ensuring close communication with the Council and stakeholders across the region, as well as delivering maximum benefit for the wider community.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, said: “The £40million investment we are making in the area is the result of years of close collaboration with Renfrewshire Council. Full Fibre connectivity will put the region at the forefront of the digital transformation we are driving across the country. As the world adapts to COVID-19, the importance of delivering world-leading digital infrastructure for

L-R David Cannon, CityFibre’s City Manager; Finance Convener, Councillor John Shaw; Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson

residents and businesses could not be greater.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I am delighted to see work well underway on developing this state-of-the-art Full Fibre network which will make Renfrewshire one of the best connected regions in Scotland and bring benefits to residents and businesses alike.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has underlined how much we all need fast, reliable broadband connections and demand for better bandwidth continues to grow year on year so it’s vitally important for our businesses, for our schools and for our residents that we have a resilient, future-proofed network to be proud of.”

Councillor John Shaw, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board, added: “This is an important first step in our plan to transform connectivity in Renfrewshire. We are taking a strategic long-term approach which has prompted this fantastic private investment by CityFibre, with the benefits to reach Renfrewshire doorsteps early next year.

“The Full Fibre network will bolster business as we recover and restart from the impact of Coronavirus and greatly improve connectivity to our schools, tackle digital exclusion and enhance the experience at local libraries, town halls, community centres and care homes.”

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Queue Advertising

Finding Your Feet

Established in 2012 Queue Advertising offer a range of services across Paisley and East Renfrewshire.

We specialise in belt barriers and queue management solutions, particularly pertinent in the current climate during Covid-19. Working alongside the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Heathrow Airports our belt barriers help maintain the new social distancing guidelines, whilst our premium sanitising stations create a safer environment across restaurants, pubs, nurseries, schools and more.

Queue also have years of experience providing design and print services. From smaller jobs like leaflets and business cards to larger scale projects such as brochures, menus and signage we can create and print whatever you need.

Not to mention we’re the home of Paisley’s favourite pocket sized publication The Buddie Book! With a circulation of 20,000 delivered straight into the heart of local homes it’s the perfect way to promote your business. Sister publications The Trade Pages and The Southside Pages have a circulation of 30,000 homes across Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Clarkston and surrounding areas giving you even more scope to reach potential customers. Whilst our 100% guaranteed leaflet distribution service gives complete peace of mind that all your leaflets are being delivered.

Call us on 0141 237 1300 or e-mail info@queueadvertising.co.uk for more!

“Finding Your Feet showed me that life as an amputee can be even better than before. They’ve helped save my life; I’ve regained my confidence and feel back in control. Most of all, they’ve given my kids their dad back.”

Grant, above-knee amputee

Finding Your Feet supports amputees and those with limb absence both physically and emotionally through a range of sports, activities and support networks. The charity also visits patients in hospital, provides advice and information for families affected by amputation and campaigns for positive societal changes.

Cor Hutton, the charity’s Founder, has made worldwide news through her achievements, including becoming the first female quadruple amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and the first Scot to receive a double hand transplant.

Lockdown presented a unique issue for the charity, which battles isolation in the amputee community, however they have made over 2000 phone calls to amputeed in Scotland, held weekly virtual fitness clubs and have moved their counselling service to phone/video chat.

The charity, based in Renfrewshire, is always looking for those who could benefit from their support as well as fundraisers, corporate partners and volunteers. For more information, email info@findingyourfeet.net

Switchease MEET THE Switchease is an independent utility broker that helps business’ save on their utilities. Last year we helped over 120 business’ save over £100,000 and we want to double that.

Earlier this year we partnered with the Beatson Cancer Charity, so that every utility you switch through Switchease we donate £10 directly to the charity.

The utilities we can help manage and save is: • Gas and Electricity – We compare over 40 suppliers to make sure you are on the best deal for your business.

• Water – We can help with finding the best water deal but also run a free water review to make sure you aren’t overpaying.

• Merchant Services – Card Terminals, E-commerce, EPOs systems and online payments.

• Telecoms - Hosted Telephony, PBX, Fibre Broadband, Ethernet, Mobiles, Mobile Device Management Contact Jim Low Sales Director T: 07525462667 E: jim@switchease.co.uk W:www.switchease.co.uk

ELEPHANT TAMERS

Employee communications and engagement consultancy We Are Brass Tacks (WABT) call themselves elephant tamers.

“We’re focused on the elephants in the room,” explains Strategy Director Dee McNaught. “The big, stubborn, difficult-to-dealwith issues, particularly around health and safety and HR. They’re subjects most people don’t want to engage with. Our job is to change that.”

Working most often with large, industrial companies looking to improve health and safety or HR practices, WABT combine internal comms with the principles of consumer psychology.

Their aim is to create an internal communications brand that activates interest, encourages engagement, changes behaviour and delivers real, measurable results.

“We mix behavioural strategy, clear messaging and bold creative to influence what employees think, feel and do,” says Dee. “Ultimately, we change and align safety behaviours by addressing the big, challenging issues and getting them out of the way. Or, in other words, by taming the elephants!”

Meet WABT at wearebrasstacks.com or on 0141 212 2481.

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Stafffinders recruitment services throughout Covid-19

The effects of Covid-19 have triggered a wide-ranging impact within the job market, although amidst many uncertainties, the Stafffinders team has been privileged to offer our support the best we can to both candidates and clients alike. With our offices now open, we’re looking forward to welcoming our candidates and clients back in when it is safe to do so.

The team at Stafffinders have been honoured to offer our award-winning recruitment services across numerous industries throughout the Covid-19 crisis, in particular our partnership with the NHS to help support the new demand faced over these difficult months.

Since the lockdown commenced, our dedicated Consultants have managed to place an additional 100 candidates within several NHS hospitals across Scotland and we continue to support their recruitment needs. We have placed devoted domestics at the Royal Infirmary to perform essential cleaning procedures, dependable porters at Gartnavel to supply vital transport for patients, helpdesk advisors across the NHS sites to

provide crucial assistance and so much more. Our hospitality team also secured talented PVG cooks within care homes, providing vital meals and care to those most at risk. The Stafffinders team would like to thank all of our committed and reliable candidates who really made an impact during these tough times.

One of our key clients J.W. Filshill, experienced a sudden increase in demand due to the effects of Covid-19 and were vital in providing essential goods all over Scotland. We placed numerous experienced forklift drivers and pickers on various shift patterns within their warehouse to ensure the team at J.W. Filshill could operate to match this enhanced demand. It has been incredibly humbling to see businesses prosper in an unprecedented climate and were so pleased that we can provide such a diverse workforce to help many organisations at this challenging time.

Covering a magnitude of divisions all over Scotland also allowed us to support many more sectors including the construction industry and commercial sector. The construction industry faced

many disruptions, however as soon as projects began to resume, we were thrilled to offer our help in building resilient teams to get the industry back on its feet. Now facing a large increase in demand, we are proud to be one of the go-to recruitment agencies to support the construction sector with many proficient candidates across numerous job roles.

Although much of the commercial sector converted to a working from home structure, our team continued to place high-calibre candidates for a variety of remote working positions, to help support our reputable clients.

The whole Stafffinders team have been privileged to support so many individuals get into work and help organisations of all industries remain strong through an unprecedented period. As we look towards a better future, our goal remains to focus on delivering immediate and high-quality recruitment services for both clients and candidates across Scotland. It continues to be our responsibility to support organisations build professional teams, whilst sourcing new job opportunities for our ever-growing candidate database.

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

Chivas Brothers Paisley site to be brought into public ownership A Paisley site of strategic importance for Renfrewshire’s long-term economic and community development is to be brought into public ownership.

Renfrewshire Council has agreed terms to conclude its purchase of the bulk of the 24-acre site at Renfrew Road from Pernod Ricard’s Chivas Brothers. It is anticipated ownership of the site will transfer to the Council later this year.

Bringing the site into public ownership will allow the Council to explore a range of possible development opportunities, including new transport links, economic and community uses, supporting the region’s economic recovery from the impact of Coronavirus.

Situated to the north of the town centre, the sizeable site sits between West College Scotland’s Paisley campus and Abbotsinch Retail Park, with the White Cart river to the west.

The Council is exploring options for an economic development corridor along the White Cart, improving connections from Paisley town centre to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland under development next to Glasgow Airport.

The Chivas Brothers land has been identified as a possible site for a new Paisley Grammar School, with a public consultation to take place at a future date.

The remainder of the site is being purchased by Scottish Leather Group, which is converting the North Hall into a new car seat upholstery facility as the UK’s largest leather manufacturer expands its Renfrewshire operations, bringing with it a further 100 high-skilled jobs.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the local, national and global economies and we must be ready

and able to tackle the social and economic harm now and in the months ahead.

“We have awarded more than £27.5million in government grants to businesses to provide immediate support and have consulted with more than 500 businesses and enterprise and education leaders as we develop a roadmap for Renfrewshire’s economic recovery, with a central focus on retaining and creating jobs.

“I am pleased that, following detailed negotiations with Chivas Brothers over the last two years, we have been able to conclude a contract for the future purchase of this site. Securing its public ownership will enable us to consider a range of development opportunities which support long-term growth of the local economy and bring benefits to the surrounding communities.

“The Chivas Brothers site provided many local jobs over the years and I am pleased that while one chapter is

closing, this purchase will ensure the site continues to play a vital role in the region’s future for many years to come.”

Iain McFadyen, CEO of Scottish Leather Group said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured the North Hall part of the Chivas Brothers site which will allow us to expand our operations in Renfrewshire. The site will initially employ 100 people cutting leather for premium automotive interiors.”

Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “We are delighted to have confirmed the sale of our Paisley site to Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Leather Group. Together they bring significant opportunity to the local area, with the latter creating 100 new high-skilled jobs.

“The site has played an important role in the local community for many years, so we’re pleased this sale will allow it to continue to leave a positive economic and cultural legacy in Paisley.”

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

New Renfrewshire business fund now open for applications A new package of support for Renfrewshire businesses to tackle the immediate impact of Coronavirus is now open for applications.

The £1.3million Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund offers local businesses, including people self-employed, the opportunity to apply for: • An interest free Business Restart Loan between £1,000 to £5,000 repayable up to three years to assist with short-term cashflow • A 50% match-funded Business Resilience Grant from £1,000 to £10,000 to help businesses meet changed objectives and plan for growth • A Business Adaptation Grant providing match-funding from £1,000 to £2500 for businesses adapting their premises to meet physical distancing requirements, open for retrospective applications.

Details of each fund, eligibility information and the online application is available now at Renfrewshire Council’s business support page.

Applicants will also receive a call from one of the Council’s Business Gateway advisers to discuss their application and provide tailored advice to meet their specific needs.

This fund has been created following detailed discussion with 500 local companies to determine what they feel can make the biggest difference in the short-term.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I am acutely aware from regular dialogue with our business community throughout the pandemic of the economic harm Coronavirus is

causing in Renfrewshire and we know we must be ready to help tackle this now, and in the months ahead.

“We have awarded more than 2600 government grants totalling £27.5million to help local businesses address the immediate impact and have now established this fund, listening to what businesses tell us will help them most.

“I recognise we are on a long and difficult journey, but we have a strong local economy and a business community that supports one another.

We also have an excellent track record of tackling unemployment and helping people find work and together with immediate assistance, we are working with business, enterprise and education partners locally to prepare Renfrewshire’s long-term roadmap to recovery.”

The Council is also offering barriers for cafes using outdoor spaces and Business PPE packs to local businesses, having secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund, which is run by Scotland’s Towns Partnerships.

Businesses may also benefit from up to two days of fully funded consultancy support from experts across a range of topics including: finance, IT, Legal, Property and HR. The team can be contacted on 0141 530 2406 or by email to renfrewshire@bgateway.com.

Business adviser Robert Kinniburgh said: “We know how stressful a time this is for Renfrewshire businesses and are here to help however we can. It might be you want to discuss your business plan or need assistance with moving into the digital market. Whatever support is needed, I would encourage people to call us and also look out for the different

webinars being run regularly on different specialist subjects.”

Bob Grant, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce said: “We warmly welcome the additional support package which offers targeted support to those companies that need it most. Based on feedback drawn from a survey of over 500 companies this new funding is a positive step to support our business community.”

Hisashi Kuboyama, Federation of Small Businesses’ Development Manager for Renfrewshire, said: “With small businesses in Renfrewshire going through extremely challenging times, we need to do absolutely everything we can to help them stay open and protect and create jobs. Many local FSB members told us that access to finance has been one of the problems, so we welcome the Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund and urge our members and the wider small business community to have a look and see how it can help them.”

Mark Newlands, Head of Partnerships at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We know the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses is severe. This additional tailored funding from Renfrewshire Council will be welcomed by local businesses as they face continuing economic uncertainty. Working with our partners, we’ll continue to do all we can to support companies through this time of unprecedented challenge and play our part in resetting, restarting and recovering the country’s economy.”

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

Construction work on Paisley Town Hall transformation now back under way Work to transform the future of Paisley’s much-loved town hall has now restarted.

The project will create 21st-century facilities inside the striking Victorian landmark while delivering improvements essential to keep the town hall at the heart of life in the town – and is taking place as part of a wider investment in Paisley’s historic venues by Renfrewshire Council.

No work had taken place in the town hall in recent months due to the coronavirus lockdown – however with restrictions on construction sites being relaxed, workers can now safely go on site in line with national guidance.

The contract for the advance construction works on the town has been awarded to Morrison Construction and is expected to run until December.

The main construction works are expected to start next year, and while the exact impact of lockdown on the original timescale is still unclear, the project is expected to be complete before the end of 2022.

Other planned investments still being delivered in the town centre by the council include the work to transform Paisley Museum into a world-class destination showcasing the area’s unique and globally-significant story and collections, on which construction is due to start in the new year.

And construction work is due to resume soon on the site of the new Learning and Cultural Hub on Paisley High Street, which will be the town’s new home of library services.

Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd, which operates the town hall, said: “We are pleased work is able to resume on Paisley Town Hall, which is another positive sign as the area’s economy starts to re-emerge from lockdown.

“Although the council faces a very challenging financial outlook, the town

hall, museum and learning and cultural hub projects are all well under way – with years of work having already taken place on each – and we intend to see those projects through.

“In the town hall’s case, the work being planned includes investment in 21stcentury facilities which will help drive new footfall to the area in the years ahead, as well as essential replacement of outdated infrastructure without which the building would not have a long-term future.

“The completed buildings will be crucial to Renfrewshire’s long-term economic prospects – our vision for Paisley town centre remains one in which we promote its unique cultural and heritage offer to bring people here.

“And while coronavirus has disrupted that work we hope our continued investment in the town hall and other venues will help the area’s economic recovery from lockdown and give confidence to our local businesses.”

The investment in the town hall is aimed at bringing new activity and vibrancy to the town while ensuring the building has a long-term future. It is planned to include: - a complete and essential replacement of the old and outdated electrical and mechanical systems; - the preservation of the unique architectural features within this A-listed Victorian gem; - an expanded capacity in the main hall allowing bigger and better events and driving more footfall to the town centre, boosting the local economy; - unused spaces brought back into use and entirely new rooms and facilities created including a new café-bar with views over the river, increasing the range of events the building can host; - a much-improved audience experience including improved staging, lighting and seating with better views, and improved access making it easier for everyone to move around the building;

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New Homes will aid recovery and help NHS

Launched last September, Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy had a strong “open for business” message.

Rightly so, with investment flowing into the region through the Glasgow Region City Deal.

Post-Covid, continuing with development projects such as the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS) near Glasgow Airport and the £90.7 million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Projects will be critical in maintaining business confidence in Renfrewshire.

A consortium of three of the UK’s leading housebuilders - CALA, Barratt and Bellway Homes – remain ready and willing to invest £150 million in Paisley.

Their proposals for 603 new homes – ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five bedroom homes – will directly support the area’s Economic Strategy by

meeting the growing and future demand for new homes, as well as injecting new construction and retail spend into the area.

The Economic Strategy identifies the critical importance of new homes, with 5,000 needed over the next 10-years to ensure that people working in Renfrewshire also live here and contribute to the local economy.

If planning consent is granted, Thornly Park Village will be built on surplus land at Dykebar Hospital. The sale of the unused land allows the NHS to reinvest in front line services: safeguarding jobs and improving the Hospital for patients and staff and the whole community.

As well as new homes, the consortium will fund roads, schools and drainage infrastructure.

An independent economic impact report indicates that the new homes will

generate £18 million per annum in total household spend, with more than £7.3 million of that in local spend.

What makes Thornly Park Village a truly unique proposal is that almost half of the site will be retained as woodland and open space for the whole community to enjoy.

Tom Johnston, President Renfrewshire Chamber commented: “This proposed £150 million investment demonstrates the continued confidence housebuilders have in Paisley as an attractive place to live. We have serious potential to grow our already successful manufacturing industries here in Renfrewshire and new homes are essential if we want to attract and retain our workforce.

Renfrewshire’s a great place to live and work in.”

Find out more at: www.thornlyparkvillage.co.uk

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Invest in…

Creative Industries

Business & ICT

Childcare, Social Care and Health Care

Construction, Manufacturing, Security and Logistics

Customer Service

Jobs | Training | Skills | Recruitment

£7.3 million opportunity for businesses in Renfrewshire Our independent economic impact report into the proposed development of 603 homes on surplus land at Dykebar Hospital indicates that it will generate £18 million per annum in total household expenditure, with more than £7.3 million of that in local spend.

We want Renfrewshire to benefit by connecting the new residents to your businesses.

If you want to hear more, email us on hello@thornlyparkvillage.co.uk

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SCHOOL UPDATES: Renfrewshire school first Scottish secondary to get ‘excellent’ rating under short inspection mode Gryffe High School has become the first secondary school in Scotland to receive an ‘excellent’ grade under the government’s short model inspection format.

A team from Education Scotland visited the Houston school earlier this year to speak to staff, pupils and parents – and today issued a glowing report over the standard of the work they found.

The school was rated as ‘very good’ for learning, teaching and assessment, and as ‘excellent’ for ‘raising attainment and achievement’ – the highest grade on the six-point scale.

That is the first time the top grade has been given out to a secondary school under Education Scotland’s short model inspection format, which judges schools on two quality indicators as opposed to four under the full inspection model.

The inspection team said the following about the school’s work: • strong and highly effective leadership by the headteacher and senior leadership team; • highly-skilled analysis of progress and attainment data of all young people’s results, leading to outstanding levels of attainment and achievement; • aspects of outstanding practice in primary to secondary transition; • highly-motivated, articulate and ambitious young people who have high aspirations; The one area of improvement identified was around building on the work already being done to improve the reliability of assessment evidence in S1-3 pupils, to help teachers set tasks and activities at the right level.

The school also had self-evaluation verified as excellent by the council on two other quality indicators – leadership of change, and improving wellbeing, equality and inclusion.

Gryffe High School head teacher Colin Johnson said: “To say I am proud

(left to right) – Gryffe High pupils Lewis Da Silva, Rachael Bell, Lauren Rodgers, Rowan Johnson, Aaron Mills, Gregor Speir and Roisin Wright with head teacher Colin Johnson.

of our pupils and staff is a complete understatement. To be the head teacher of a school where the pupils, day in day out, impress with their enthusiasm, drive and persistence is an absolute pleasure and privilege.

“Even over the very difficult last few months our pupils remained positive, thoughtful and supportive of one another and I have been amazed at the lengths they have gone to in supporting others.

“That has included delivering packs and resources to other pupils houses, and taking additional packs to the local church as a collection point for other pupils.

“Our pupils efforts and achievements are outstanding, supported by dedicated staff, supportive parents/carers and close links with a wide range of external partners.

“I eagerly await the return of our pupils to school this week, and then supporting them as they pick up where we left off – supporting the wellbeing of all, striving for improvement, and

keeping their focus as ambitious, but caring, young people with high aspirations.”

Lewis Da Silva, who was last year’s school captain, said: “I’m proud to say I went to Gryffe High – it’s an amazing school. I will miss the learning side and the social side.”

And this year’s school captain Rachael Bell added: “We get great support from teachers and pupils. We have lots of societies and clubs and even if there isn’t one they will help you set it up.”

Councillor Jim Paterson, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, added: “We are thrilled by this inspection report on Gryffe High, which shows why the school is considered one of the bestperforming in the country.

“That is testament to the hard work and dedication of the pupils, staff and school community to raise attainment for all and I am sure they will all be as delighted as we are by the grading in the report.”

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DYW West Update - September 2020 It’s been a challenging time for organisations and people of all ages over the last few months and given we engage with industry and education, DYW West are no different. We’ve been working from home since March and are down 1 key person as Dennie our Events Exec has secured a new role with Morrison Construction as Assistant Manager Community Benefits.

Early summer, DYW nationally at the request of the Minister Jamie Hepburn, were tasked with what can we do to support young people. Therefore over recent months all DYW groups have worked together to produce and offer a suite of support to young people, parents, carers and educators. eDYW |DYW Skills Academy | #nowrongpath | SBPE & Up2U20, are available to view on the dyw.scot website Young people are back in education and we must strive to continue to support them. If any organisation wishes to offer opportunities virtually such as work experience, talks,

tours (can be live or pre-recorded), then please let us know at info@dywwest.co.uk At time of writing information on Kickstarter is just being understood as is the Scot Gov Youth Guarantee as recommended by Sandy Begbie CBE (viewable at dyw.scot).

So please continue to engage with us. If you have jobs for young people such as an apprenticeship let us help market that for you locally.

Thanks for reading and we hope DYW West can see many of you face to face at a Chamber event soon.

Stay safe DYW West team

Can you

support DYW in 2020?

DYW West (covers Renfrewshire, East Ren, Inverclyde & West Dunbartonshire) are seeking employers of all sectors and sizes to help young people get more prepared for the world of work.

This could be yourself or a development opportunity for staff.

Examples include:

• Give a class talk • Mentor a small group of young people • Support a careers event

• Host a talk & tour at your workplace • Offer a work experience / placement • Offer an apprenticeship

• Sign up to Founders4Schools • Put an opportunity on Marketplace • Run a competition

Help bring the curriculum to life and get involved with DYW West in 2020.

Together we can make a real difference.

Contact us at info@dywwest.co.uk

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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HELPING ChamberCustoms TRADERS TO KEEP ON TRADING

HELPING TRADERS TO KEEP ON

ChamberCustoms delivers a customs declaration service for UK importers and exporters: • A high level of compliance and assurance for customers

• Confidence on tariff and data entry to remove fiscal risk; backed by the technical expertise of TRADING the market leader in this sector • A wealth of international trade experience and expertise from across the trusted Chamber of Commerce network UK.

For more information contact Laura Connor lconnor@renfrewshirechamber.com or Bob Grant bgrant@renfrewshirechamber.com

www.chambercustoms.co.uk