Winter connections complete
Renfrewshire Council · 3 June 2026
Back to Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee — 3 June 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 PUBLIC ________________________________________________________________________ To: Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee On: 3 June 2026 _____________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive _____________________________________________________________________ Heading: Winter Connections Evaluation 2025/26 ________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. At Leadership Board on 14 September 2022, elected members agreed that officers should develop a Winter Connections Programme which would provide a network of local places and spaces where people can connect to others in their community throughout winter. £50,000 of grant funding was allocated by the Board in September 2022, to support local groups and organisations to participate in the programme and to contribute some of the costs of delivery where this was required. 1.2. The Winter Connections programme has now completed its fourth year, having been running during the winter months since November 2022, and continues to be delivered in partnership with local organisations and aiming to encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. 1.3. The programme continues to attract new organisations bidding for funding, with this year’s programme being delivered by a mix of organisations that have received funding before, and those new to Winter Connections. 1.4. An evaluation for the 25/26 Programme has now been carried out, and the key messages of the evaluation include: • Over 1,300 people benefited from the programme, demonstrating a continued need for access to free activities and company throughout the winter months. • The social aspect of bringing people together created reduced isolation by creating opportunities to build new connections and friendships.
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2 PUBLIC • Activities provided opportunities to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, learn new skills, increase confidence and be creative. • The programme enabled organisations to engage with new people, raising awareness of their venues and services and signposting to other services across Renfrewshire. • Providing hot drinks in libraries encouraged visitors to stay for longer and participate in activities • Provision of hot food and drinks encouraged continued attendance, helping to sustain relationships, particularly for those at risk of isolation over the winter. • Providing free food alongside activities ensured that the programme discretely supported families who are continuing to experience financial hardship, reducing financial and social exclusion. • The programme continues to be an important element of the Council’s approach to tackling the cost-of-living crisis. 1.5. The programme has been evaluated each of the previous years and has been found to positively contribute to Renfrewshire Council’s continued wider response to the continued high cost-of- living. In addition to the key messages, the evaluation report also provides a series of recommendations to be considered as part of any future programme. A copy of the full evaluation is attached at Appendix 1. 1.6. At the Council’s budget meeting in February 2026, £75,000 of funding was allocated to support the delivery of a fifth year of Winter Connections for 2026/27. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee: • Note the content of the report 3. Background 3.1 The development of the Winter Connections Programme has been a key focus for officers with £75,000 of funding allocated from the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme to support the delivery of Winter Connections activities for the third Winter. The Winter Connections programme attracted 47 applications for funding from a mix of organisations that had received funding before and some organisations that were new to the Winter Connections programme, with 37 applications approved.
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3 PUBLIC 3.2 The programme offers an extensive and varied programme of activities across Renfrewshire, hosted by community groups, including OneRen libraries. The programme included line-dancing, cooking classes and mindfulness. Some activities were open to everyone and aimed to attract families and multiple generations, however some organisations focussed specifically on delivering sessions for children and younger people, activities for older people or adults with learning disabilities. Activities largely ran until March 2026. 3.3 Hosts are asked to sign up to Winter Connections principles, and support was provided to all host organisations including a Winter Connections toolkit, printed materials, information sharing, access to other services such as advice, period products provided for locations. 1.7. There is a continued focus on the promotion of the programme and linked activities across the partnership, with a clear and recognisable Winter Connection identity developed. Information on Winter Connections is available on the Council website, which includes a searchable map function displaying all venues, activities and facilities. Activities were widely promoted through social media, and printed materials have been widely distributed across all towns and villages across Renfrewshire. 1.8. The funding was fully exhausted by December 2025, and the programme has drawn to a close. A number of projects have secured alternative funding to continue their projects moving forward. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – There are no financial implications associated with this report, which provides an overview of the evaluation for Winter Connections. Any recommendations taken forward in future years will be met within the agreed Winter Connections budget. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – The Winter Connections programme supports a number of the key priorities within the Council and Community Plan. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights – The Winter Connections programme is considered to have a positive impact on a wide range of equalities groups. The evaluation considers in detail the effectiveness of the programme in reaching a number of equalities groups. 8. Health and Safety - none
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4 PUBLIC 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk – none 14. Children’s Rights – The Winter Connections programme is considered to have a positive impact on Children’s Rights, with a number of activities targeted at families and providing a range of free and accessible opportunities for children to participate. Author: Annabelle Walter, Connected Communities Manager
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1 PUBLIC An evaluation of the Winter Connections Programme 2025/26 Importantly, it created a sense of belonging. People weren’t just attending an activity — they felt part of a space where they were accepted and supported. That’s the real difference this programme made: not just what people did, but how they felt while they were there — and afterwards. Just Dive In
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 2 PUBLIC Contents 1. Executive Summary ........................................................................... 3 2. About Winter Connections ................................................................. 4 3. Programme Delivery .......................................................................... 8 4. Impact of the Programme ................................................................ 17 5. Conclusions ..................................................................................... 32 6. Appendix 1 ....................................................................................... 33
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 3 PUBLIC 1. Executive Summary The Winter Connections programme has been running during the winter months since November 2022. The programme, which has been delivered in partnership with local organisations, aims to encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. Local community and voluntary organisations can apply for small grants of up to £2,000 to support with the additional costs of making venues, activities and sessions open as part of the programme. Items eligible for funding include equipment, food, energy costs, and rent. The programme has been evaluated each year and been found to have positively contributed to Renfrewshire Council’s continued wider response to the cost-of-living crisis. As a result, in February 2025, £75,000 of funding was allocated from the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to support the delivery of a fourth year of Winter Connections for 2025/26. The programme continues to attract new organisations bidding for funding, with this year’s programme being delivered by a mix of organisation that have received funding before, and those new to Winter Connections. Organisations look forward to delivering the programme and attendance at activities remains consistently high. Key findings: • Over 1,300 people benefited from the programme, demonstrating a continued need for access to free activities and company throughout the winter months. • The social aspect of bringing people together reduced isolation by creating opportunities to build new connections and friendships. • Activities provided opportunities to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, learn new skills, increase confidence and be creative. • The programme enabled organisations to engage with new people, raising awareness of their services and signposting to other services across Renfrewshire. • Providing hot drinks in libraries facilitated engagement with library users and encouraged visitors to stay for longer and participate in activities. • Provision of hot food and drinks encouraged continued attendance, helping to sustain relationships, particulary for those at risk of isolation over the winter.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 4 PUBLIC • Providing free food alongside activities ensured that the programme discretely supported families who are continuing to experience financial hardship, reducing financial and social exclusion. • The programme continues to be an important element of the Council’s approach to tackling the cost-of-living crisis. 2. About Winter Connections 2.1. Background Following a successful Winter Connections programme over the winter of 2024/25, £75,000 of funding was again allocated from the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to run the programme during winter 2025/26. Once again, the funding provided small grants to local organisations to support delivery of a programme that would encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. Local community and voluntary organisations could apply for small grants of up to £2,000 to support with the additional costs of making venues, activities and sessions open as part of the programme. Items eligible for funding included equipment, food, energy costs, and rent. Funded activities needed to fit the criteria of Winter Connections and be: • open, free and easy to access • inclusive, welcoming, respectful, and safe • able or willing to provide connections to other services and supports • able to offer warm drinks/snacks/food along with activities, where possible There were 47 applications to the programme which were assessed by officers from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Engage Renfrewshire. This process ensured a transparent cross-sector approach that enabled partners to evaluate Winter Connections applications based on knowledge of other available funding and support across Renfrewshire.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 5 PUBLIC Applications came from a mix of organisations that had received funding before and some organisations that were new to the Winter Connections programme. Of the 47 applications, 37 were successful. The remaining applications were unsuccessful and were signposted to alternative sources of funding where appropriate. An allocation of £4,208 of this funding was made to One Ren to support the programme and to provide hot drinks, soup, and snacks in all Renfrewshire libraries and a selection of games and jigsaws to support extra play sessions in Ralston and Bishopton libraries. A dedicated Winter Connections webpage was set up on the Council’s website with details of all venues, activities, and facilities. To understand the impact of the Winter Connections programme, a feedback form was sent to organisations to assess the difference that the programme had made. 33 organisations returned feedback which has been analysed in the sections below. 2.2. The Winter Connections Programme This year’s programme delivered a wide range of free, fun activities, including line dancing, cooking classes, and mindfulness. Some activities were open to everyone and aimed to attract families and multiple generations, however some organisations focussed specifically on delivering sessions for children and younger people, activities for older people or adults with learning disabilities. A few organisations designed their programmes flexibly with input from participants to ensure that there were activities that appealed to everyone. Several organisations have been running activities for the past few years and have a tried and tested formula for what works. Foxbar Community Gardens and Environmental Project delivered two swap shops where people from the local community attended the workshop and could take home clothing and toys. They also provided workshops focussing on mental health and wellbeing, including a session on mindfulness delivered by a Buddhist monk. Other workshops related to yoga, gut health and meditation as well as visits from a nurse practitioner and an addictions specialist. KLAS Care delivered seasonal activities including arts and crafts related to Easter, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. As well as board games, bingo and an Easter egg hunt, families enjoyed fun outdoors in the mud kitchen, playing football and tennis, and planting in the garden.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 6 PUBLIC Your Community Your Space Warm hosted sessions at a local community centre, providing board games and tournaments, hot drinks and biscuits to create a cosy atmosphere. They also had an end-of-project community celebration with shared games and awards for participants. Figure Intense Board Games at Your community Your Space Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) delivered a series of six indoor cooking classes over a number of weeks in a local venue, where attendees cooked a meal and then sat and ate their creations together. Johnstone Castle Learning Centre provided activities for young people aged 8-16 as well as sessions for adults. Young people enjoyed basic cooking skills, baking, pool, arts and crafts, games and outdoor activities, while adults benefited from IT support, cooking sessions and social and recreational classes. They also worked on a joint initiative with local community police from Police Scotland and a local football team providing football sessions on a Friday evening.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 7 PUBLIC Young people enjoying games at Johnstone Castle Learning Centre The programme is not just about the activities and food provision, but also about the wider support that is available from connecting with services and community members. Create Paisley delivered 28 creative drop-in sessions in total across Paisley and Johnstone with snacks and drinks as well as advice and support and signposting to other services for their young participants. Across these sessions, families also benefited from trusted, familiar staff and volunteers who helped them engage with wider support. Through our established partnerships—including RAMH, Citizens Advice, The Wise Group and Jubilee House—families were connected to financial advice, mental health support, training and volunteering opportunities. For many parents, attending a group also increases confidence to engage in our evidence-based parenting and wellbeing programmes such as Circle of Security, Peep Antenatal, Equip for Life and NVR. Home-Start Renfrewshire & Inverclyde The table below demonstrates the wide range of activities that were on offer across Renfrewshire.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 8 PUBLIC Creative activities Health and Wellbeing Social activities Practical support Arts & Crafts including seasonal crafts Sewing Mindfulness, sound bath and meditation Outdoor activities including football and gardening Exercise activities for young mums Swimming/flotation sessions Chair yoga and mobility exercises Line dancing Beauty and wellbeing activities Movie afternoon Coffee mornings Quizzes Bingo Carpet bowls Lunch Club Board games Music Signposting to sources of advice Food provision Access to charge devices Basic first aid Toy and clothes swap shops Provision of laptops and Ipads for people to use Cooking classes IT support A list of the funded host organisations delivering Winter Connections activities can be found in Appendix 1. 3. Programme Delivery 3.1. Promoting Activities As with previous years the main source of information for residents about the programme has been through social media and word of mouth, with Erskine Arts commenting that the
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 9 PUBLIC latter still proves to be the best and most effective form of communicating what they do with local groups. Just under half of all organisations that responded produce their own posters (see examples below) and just over a quarter provide information about their activities to members of existing groups that they deliver. Foxbar Community Gardens and Houston Community Council both benefited from generous local business owners who allowed them to put up posters in their premises to advertise their activities. Just over a fifth of organisations received referrals to their activities, mainly from social work, families of current members, support workers, schools and housing associations. We received referrals through partner organisations such as local wellbeing groups and community networks, who signposted individuals and families they knew would benefit — particularly those experiencing isolation, financial pressure, or additional support needs. Just Dive In For most organisations a combination of all of the methods of promotion enabled them to reach people already aware of the organisation and those who hadn’t accessed anything before. We shared information on social media, which helped reach people in the village as well as nearby towns. Posters in local spots also helped spread the word to those who might not be online and we sent out mailers to our Larder membership on email. Word of mouth played a big part too, with participants recommending the classes to others. In addition, members of our Larder were already aware of what we offer, so many of them joined and helped share information within their own networks. Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) How did people find out about your Winter Connections project? Method of information Number* % Social media 25 76 Word of mouth 23 70 Posters / flyers 15 45
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 10 PUBLIC Contact database/people attending other activities/Whatsapp groups 9 27 Referral from another organisation 7 21 Other organisations including schools, Council, Engage Renfrewshire 5 15 * out of a total of 33 responses. Note: All respondents provided more than one answer to this question Bridge of Weir Scout Group would like to have increased advertising further and Sewing2gether All Nations reported that, in future, they would ask other organisations to advertise their project more in order to reach more people, or would promote activities via the libraries and other public spaces. Create Paisley found that outreach sessions in local schools helped to raise awareness of their creative drop-in sessions. KLAS Care provide a free food pantry on a Sunday morning and the families who attend went along to the Winter Connections activities after they had accessed the pantry, increasing their numbers by 40%. Posters created by organisations to promote their Winter Connections activities
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 11 PUBLIC 3.2. What worked well? The provision of free activities and food are key to the ongoing success of the Winter Connections programme. With the cost of living crisis continuing to put pressure on household budgets, being able to access activites and hot drinks and snacks free of charge is helpful and can be accessed in a way that does not create stigma. The free access was a big part of it working. Families didn’t have to think twice about whether they could afford to come. That removed a huge barrier straight away and meant we reached people who wouldn’t normally access this kind of space. Just Dive In The variety of activities available ensured that there was something for everyone to enjoy and many participants were attracted by the opportunity to learn a new skill. In LEAP’s case this educational element combined with the welcoming environment attracted individuals who would not normally participate in social activities. They “developed new skills in energy efficient, healthy, food preparation too which helps them to plan meals using the type of produce they find at the Larder.” LEAP reported that their Community Chef, Rona played a key role in fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. The inclusive and welcoming environment provided by organisations is highlighted a lot in feedback and helped to create conditions for connections and friendships to grow. What also worked well was the way the team delivered it. We kept things relaxed, welcoming and non-judgemental. No pressure, no expectations — just support if it was needed. That created trust very quickly. And honestly, one of the biggest indicators that it worked was this: people returned, and they brought others with them. Just Dive In The Preshal Trust provided a similar environment through their flexible drop-in sessions. Individuals could attend simply to have something to eat or choose to take part in activities, without feeling any pressure to do so. The line dancing was especially popular and became a favourite among attendees. Overall, the activities played an important role in helping people connect and develop new friendships especially with those already attending the drop-in.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 12 PUBLIC Creation Corner provided an environment that catered to neurodivergence, and activities were led by the children participating, who decided which crafts they wanted to make. The offer of free activities and a place to go for a hot drink encouraged people to come together, helping to reduce isolation for many people during the winter months. Our activity created a real sense of togetherness in our community where community and music meet. It was a good way to bring people from different walks of life into the same space to find out more about what we do as a charity and meet other individuals who share similair interests. Erskine Arts Figure Musical entertainmnent at Erskine Arts Soup Sessions Just Dive In found that sitting together with a hot drink naturally encouraged conversation without forcing it. “People stayed longer, talked more, and started to recognise each other week to week.” For members of Dates-n-Mates the activities gave members something to look forward to and the chance to get out of the house for a few hours. It gives them the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It is really important to them to get that level of social interaction, as many of our members have poor support networks, are often lonely and say they don't feel part of their community. Dates-n-Mates
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 13 PUBLIC Friends of Howwood Park have been running their Winter Connections project for two years and attendees have become good friends and enjoy the format of an activity followed by hot food and drinks. The provision of hot food was important for the families supported by Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. Their partnership with Food at Underwood offered high quality, affordable food with an easy ordering and collection process, and the organisation also supported them through contributions to fundraising activities. Families consistently told us that knowing a warm meal would be available made it easier to attend, reduced the stress of providing breakfast on tight budgets and created a relaxed, sociable start to each session. As a result, we saw strong and consistent attendance across all groups, with some sessions requiring waiting lists. Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde The way in which the Winter Connections programme is delivered is key to its continued success. Activites are free, accessible, delivered in local communities and are inclusive. The programme offers a universal approach, all are welcome and this means that individuals and families who would not usually participate are often engaged and able to receive further support if it is needed. What this programme showed very clearly is that small, well-placed support can make a big difference. People didn’t have to think about cost, confidence, or whether they would fit in — they could just come along. That shift alone changes who walks through the door. It also highlighted how important it is to have spaces that don’t feel clinical or formal. People connected because it felt natural — a swim, a chat, a hot drink — not because they were being “referred into something.” That matters, especially for those who are already overwhelmed or hesitant to engage. Just Dive In 3.3. What would you change? When asked if there was anything they would change, 13 of the 33 projects that responded stated that they would not change anything. Of those who would make changes, over half of the responses related to additional activites, either by increasing the activities available or running activities for longer to meet demand.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 14 PUBLIC The sessions filled quickly, and we had more demand than we could meet. We would look to increase the number of sessions or extend delivery slightly to reach more people, particularly those who joined the waiting list but couldn’t get a space. Just Dive In Following feedback positive from those who attended their cooking classes, LEAP felt that running classes over a longer period of time would be beneficial to participants. Demand and engagement were consistently strong, and both participants and the Community Chef expressed how much they would miss the classes when they came to an end, reflecting the programme’s meaningful impact. LEAP Although the Winter Connections programme is well attended, organisations are conscious of demand and keen to reach more people. Many are now considering the best way to do this, whether through earlier promotion of their programme or targeting specific groups earlier. Johnstone Castle Learning Centre is considering running new sessions for the older generation and Just Dive In want to work even more closely with partners to prioritise people most at risk of isolation into the earliest sessions. There is still a large demographic we would like to reach, individuals who are maybe less physically able or have carers or are just more isolated from the wider community. We would love to reach these people more in the future through different projects and ways of getting the word out there. Erskine Arts Organisations would also like to provide more hot food and snacks, and, if more funding was available, the Tannahill Centre would provide evening meals. Re: Hope Next Generation Bible Church would introduce more sensory play and music time to allow children to experience and explore more. Sewing2gether All Nations would recruit volunteers to support the consistently high numbers of attendees. Create Paisley raised awareness of the break in activities over Christmas and New Year, with a lack of contact with the young people. To address this they are developing a new website so that young people can easily access sources of advice and support and resources on the new site, in case they need help during that interim period.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 15 PUBLIC And Just Dive In would like to strengthen how they capture the impact of their activities. A lot of what we saw was in conversations, body language, and people returning — which is powerful, but not always formally recorded. Next time, we would build in simple, light-touch ways to capture feedback without disrupting the feel of the sessions. Just Dive In 3.4. How many people attended? Organisations were asked about the number of people who attended their activities. We did not ask organisations to keep track of numbers while delivering activities, but some did, and others provided an estimate. The average number of people attending each individual session was 22. Just over a quarter of projects averaged between 31 and 40 people per session. These tended to be activities for children or for older people. Houston Community Council’s film showings hosted an average of 50 people at their weekly events, Johnstone Burgh Community Club regularly had between 40 and 50 participants, while The Thursday Club in Glenburn attracted around 88 participants each week. From the 33 responses received, it is estimated that around 1,317 different people benefited from the Winter Connections programme. Given that there were 37 projects participating in the programme this year, this number will be considerably higher. Of the 33 projects who provided feedback for this question, almost three quarters stated that it was mainly women who attended activities, while 61% of all projects appealed to older people. Most of the people who attended were older women who live alone. However, we did have some young families and some of the ladies brought grandchildren. I feel our project was valuable to all who attended regardless of age. Paisley West Church Who attended your Winter Connections project? Number of projects* % Women 24 73 Older People 20 61
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 16 PUBLIC Men 16 48 Young people / teenagers 12 36 People with additional support needs 11 33 Families 11 33 People from ethnically diverse communities 10 30 Children 10 30 People from other geographical areas in Renfrewshire 5 15 *out of a total of 33 responses. Note: All respondents provided more than one answer to this question Some activities were specifically aimed at particular groups, for example, Dates-n-Mates project was for individuals over the age of 18 with a learning disability, and Jones & Us Mom and Baby Fitness classes were attended by young mums with newborn babies and toddlers. The Preshal Trust drop in was open to anyone over the age of 25+ particularly targeting those who experience the effects of poverty, addiction, physical disability and mental health illness. A third of projects stated that they had supported people with additional needs including physical or mental health issues, disability, addictions and neurodivergence. A busy afternoon at Erskine Arts Soup Sessions Figure 1A re 2
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 17 PUBLIC Over a third of projects (36%) attracted young people / teenagers compared with 26% in 2024/25, while 30% of projects reported attendance from people from ethnically diverse communities compared with 22% in 2025/25. Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverlcyde provided a breakdown of those who benefited from their Winter Connections project and found that 40% were Lone Parents, 54% were Families with Disabilities, 30% were Ethnic Minority Families and 19% were Families with 3 or more children. Just Dive In felt that the mix of people attending contributed to the success of the programme in reducing isolation. What worked well was that it didn’t feel like a programme for one specific group — it felt like a shared space. Older adults, families, and individuals were all able to be part of the same environment, which helped reduce isolation in a more natural, less clinical way. Just Dive In KLAS Care’s Sunday morning activities attracted families from all areas of Renfrewshire, including people from ethnic minority groups, single parents and older adults. Families from Erskine and Gallowhill who usually access KLAS Care’s pantry during the week also attended, supporting each other with car sharing. 4. Impact of the Programme 4.1. What difference did the Winter Connections Programme make to participants? Organisations were asked whether they thought that the activities they had delivered as part of the programme had provided any benefits for those attending. As in previous years, feedback was overwhelmingly positive with organisations highlighting several impacts from the programme. All of those organisations who completed feedback forms agreed that the programme activities had supported participants by connecting them to each other, with 100% of organisations reporting this benefit.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 18 PUBLIC These nights weren’t just about the activities — they gave people a reason to leave the house, talk to others, and feel part of something. For many, it was one of the only social things they had on. Just Dive In According to 97% of organisations the programme also contributed to reducing social isolation, while 91% stated that the programme had benefited people by creating a sense of belonging to the local community and provided fun activities. Encouraging new people to engage with their organisation was considered beneficial for participants by 88% of organisations. Other perceived benefits were reducing financial costs (76% of respondents) and providing the opportunity to learn something new (67%). Just over half of organisations thought that the programme benefited participants by providing access to information/advice and helping people to learn about a new service in their local area. Benefit to people attending activities Number of projects* % Connecting people to each other 33 100 Reducing social isolation 32 97 Creating a sense of belonging to the local community/neighbourhood? 30 91 Providing fun activities 30 91 Encouraging new people to engage with the project/organisation 29 88 Reducing financial costs 25 76 Providing the opportunity to learn something new 22 67 Providing access to information/advice 17 51 Helping people to learn about a new service in their local area 17 51 Providing entertainment for children 13 39 * out of a total of 33 responses Reducing Social Isolation One of the most important benefits of the programme is that it provided welcoming spaces and opportunities for people to meet. The programme encouraged people to get out and
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 19 PUBLIC meet up with others in their local community, helping to reduce social isolation and creating opportunities to build new friendships and connections. Feedback indicates that, for some, the programme has been a lifeline and without it they would not have left the house. Robertson Housing Social Activities Group found that, because many of their residents cannot get out of their developments to go to activities, being able to provide social activities on their site helped to encourage residents to socialise with each other. The Preshal Trust emphasised the importance of coming together with others in similar circumstances without feeling judged, while Just Dive In found that for older adults and individuals attending on their own, the programme activities provided social contact and routine. The biggest impact has been giving people a place to go where they feel welcome, safe, and not alone during the winter months. We saw people who would otherwise have stayed at home come out, take part, and start to connect with others. Over time, familiar faces appeared, conversations became easier, and people began to feel part of something rather than separate from it. Overall, it created a space where people felt welcome, included, and part of something — and that sense of belonging is what stayed with them. Just Dive In Figure Participants at the Preshal Trust drop-in sessions
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 20 PUBLIC The opportunity to connect was also important for parents of neurodiverse children as evidenced by feedback from Creation Corner. For children who participated in activities with Creation Corner the activities allowed them to gain a sense of belonging and friendship with other children and an acceptance that they have struggled to find in school and other areas. I think we all feel less alone too and are proud of how far this family group has come. For myself, as one of the leaders and parent of a child attending, we feel a sense of community that we haven’t found elsewhere and some weeks it is all that keeps us going. Creation Corner The Preshal Trust found that being able to participate in enjoyable activities helped to create a positive atmosphere which had a postivite impact on participants’ health and well- being. And for young parents who participated in Jones & Us fitness activities, the project helped them to gain a positive mindset and improve their well-being. Community members participating have shown excitement to meet each other and connect with other moms. It has helped build community and create a positive space for local mums. Especially being able to bring their babies and toddlers, its has relieved the moms that came of the stress of finding childcare. Jones & Us All generations enjoying activites at Paisley West church
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 21 PUBLIC Create Paisley noticed that attendance at their drop-in sessions boosted young people’s mental health and wellbeing by making them feel more connected to other young people and their wider community and by developing their creative and social skills. Foxbar Community Gardens and Environmental Project also felt they were promoting health and wellbeing in a positive way through their mindfulness and yoga workshops. LEAP reported that the welcoming, supportive space was particularly helpful for those who don’t usually take part in group activities or miss out due to financial constraints. The social nature of the classes encouraged conversation and connection, helping to form new friendships and strengthen existing community ties. Overall, the classes helped create a more connected, confident, and resilient community, with people feeling more supported and more likely to engage in other local activities. LEAP Through their free family swims, Just Dive In provided an inclusive, relaxed environment for families to spend time together without worrying about cost. Their staff ensured that people felt comfortable from the moment they walked through the door. At Ralston OSC art club children enjoyed socialising and creating works of art. We really loved running this programme. The children had the best time and it was great to see so much creativity and for them to be engrossed in the activities. It was great to see them socialise and spend time with friends or making new friends. Ralston OSC Learning a new skill The programme also provided opportunities to try out new activities and learn new skills, for example in cooking or swimming. Participants at LEAP’s cooking classes were able to build confidence and independence while learning to prepare healthy, affordable meals. Just Dive In saw people becoming more confident in the water and Sewing2gether All Nations blend of English language learning and crafting was so enjoyable that participants are keen for the organisation to find funding to continue the classes. We also saw an impact on confidence, particularly in the water and in social settings. Some participants who were initially anxious became more relaxed over time, which is a big step for many of the people we support.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 22 PUBLIC Just Dive In This is the first service an older adult with limited English language skills has engaged with. She is attending with her daughter. It has also encouraged integration with local residents who attended. It has encouraged many young mums to go out and mix with others. Sewing2gether All Nations Parents of children attending the Ralston OSC Art Club were delighted with the creative activities on offer, allowing children to try different styles of art with friends after school, including self portraits and mosaics. The club provides my child and others in this community with opportunities that they would not have without the club. The children have fun and they also learn while at the club. My child often participates in some kind of art and craft, cooking/baking and various sports/active play. It allows her to make and strengthen friendships in a safe place with the excellent support and guidance from the staff. Parent feedback from Ralston OSC The Tannahill Centre provided opportunities for people to volunteer, serving the tea and toast, making the soup, learning to volunteer in the kitchen and gaining a food hygiene qualification which has resulted in some moving on to employment.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 23 PUBLIC Figure Young people learning a new skill at Johnstone Castle Learning Centre Raising awareness of what organisations deliver and signposting Providing information and advice on services and how they can support people is a key component of the Winter Connections programme. Many organisations were able to use their links with partner organisations to signpost people to other support without it feeling formal or overwhelming. For example, some of the young mums attending Youth Inspired’s physical and creative activities were able to access counselling and other services that Youth Inspired provide and attendees at the Preshal Trust’s drop-in were able to benefit from one- to-one support if needed. Our support staff were available throughout the programme to offer one-to-one support to individuals who may have needed additional help. This included listening to people’s concerns, offering guidance, and signposting them to other relevant services and support within the community. For some participants, this provided an opportunity to discuss personal challenges in a safe and supportive environment and helped them access further assistance they may not have been aware of previously. The Preshal Trust
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 24 PUBLIC Just Dive In signposted people to other organisations that they have links with and Friends of Howwood Park invited speakers in to provide information to participants, for example around finances and avoiding scams. Reducing costs for individuals and families Feedback from Winter Connections projects highlights the continued importance of the programme in helping to reduce financial barriers to participating in community life. As in previous years the programme helped to reduce the financial burden on individuals and families and did so in a dignified manner. KLAS Care commented that the opportunity to participate without any financial cost allowed engagement with families that otherwise would not be part of anything, helping to reduce the financial and social exclusion and isolation caused by the cost of living crisis. Just Dive In also found that this removed a barrier to participation. Because everything was free, it removed a real barrier. People didn’t have to choose between attending and covering other costs, which made a big difference, especially over winter. Just Dive In Providing food and free activities helped to ease some of the financial pressure many families experience over the holidays. Re:Hope Next Generation Bible Church reported that parents found this helped to alleviate pressure on them and helped them not to feel isolated. Johnstone Castle Learning Centre found that the majority of the families they supported could not have afforded such luxuries if the project had not taken place and that their services also helped to offer respite to the parents and guardians of the young people who attended. Both Just Dive In and Stronger Communities Glenburn reported that the programme enabled families to spend meaningful time together and share positive experiences without worrying about cost which helped reduce stress. Families were able to enjoy quality time together in a safe and supportive environment without the added stress of financial strain. Overall, the programme supported both the emotional wellbeing and the financial resilience of local families during what can often be a challenging time of year. Stronger Communities Glenburn
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 25 PUBLIC Children enjoying activies and snacks at a Home-Start group The Preshal Trust and the Thursday Club reported on the impact of having access to free food and drinks, with some members of the Thursday Club stating that they did not usually have a hot meal at lunchtime and that they saved leftover tea from breakfast in a flask to use at lunchtime. The free lunch and activities provided by the club had a big impact on members who were struggling to heat their homes and eat and having a hot meal and a warm place to go to every week resulted in an attendance rate of 88% every week. Home-start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde were able to provide hot food for their weekly support groups for families with young children. They run six different peer support groups across Renfrewshire, including a newly established group for families with children who have additional support needs. Winter Connections funding was used specifically to provide hot food at every group session throughout the winter period, for example hot rolls and soup. This ensured that every adult and child attending could access a warm, nutritious meal at no cost. The offer of hot food made groups more accessible for families facing financial pressures and contributed to steady attendance across 76 sessions, with 1,160 attendances and an average of 15 people per session.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 26 PUBLIC Families described the provision of food as removing a barrier to attending, particularly on rushed or financially difficult mornings. It reduced financial stress for families with parents consistently reporting that the hot food made a meaningful difference to their weekly budget during the most financially challenging months of the year. For families facing multiple poverty risk factors, this practical support felt both relieving and dignifying. It contributed significantly to their wellbeing, reducing the stress of providing breakfast or lunch on already stretched budgets. Together with referral partnerships and hardship funding, Winter Connections is a key part of providing additional support to help families experiencing financial hardship. Feedback from parents attending Home-Start groups about the hot food provision: Hot rolls are a massive benefit. It’s something warm that fills us up without me having to stress about the financial side of it. As a single mum I don’t often think of myself in the mornings, I get my daughter up and organised and make sure she has a breakfast before nursery but having the rolls at group helps me remember to make sure I have a breakfast also. It also helps create more of a social feeling within the groups to have a roll and drinks. The hot rolls are definitely a benefit to me and my family.They help reduce the stress of preparing food, especially on busy mornings and ensure my child has something warm and filling to enjoy. It’s a thoughtful and practical support that we truly appreciate. Feedback from Renfrewshire Libraries One Ren received funding to provide hot drinks and cup-a-soups in all libraries throughout Renfrewshire. They also received funding to purchase a selection of games and jigsaws for family play sessions. Library staff feel that the Winter Connections funding helps to enhance the library service and build a warm and welcoming community within the library. Feedback suggests that the hot drinks were popular with children and adults. The simple offer of a free tea or coffee made a big difference, helping people to feel comfortable and encouraging people to stay longer in the library and benefit from the wide and varied programme of free activities provided. Very happy to have the hot drinks available again. It has been sorely missed. It helps to brighten up my day as I read the morning newspapers.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 27 PUBLIC Feedback from Erskine library Staff also commented on the value of a hot drink in enabling them to connect with visitors. The librarian at Erskine Library found that some of the less confident library users were encouraged to engage in conversation with staff while having a hot drink. Having the tea and coffee gives an opportunity for us to engage with customers, which is a really important role for the library. There was similar feedback from the librarian at Ferguslie Library. Having the refreshments is almost an ice breaker for those wishing to engage but finding it difficult to find common ground. The Ferguslie Library knitting group meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons and enjoy having access to the Winter Connections refreshments. Their knitting is not interrupted by having to go out somewhere to get a hot drink and it has become an integral part of the activity. It’s become crucial to the group. It’s almost like a comfort in itself, as well as the chat and friendships. Member of the Ferguslie Library Knitting Group
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 28 PUBLIC Ferguslie Library Knitting Group Libraries play an important role in the Winter Connections programme, offering a safe space for community members to spend time and connect with others. This is especially evident from feedback from the knitting group at Lochwinnoch Library. Last year I had major knee surgery and knowing I had the group to return to when I had recovered, I’m sure aided my recovery. Chatting over a tea and coffee lifts my spirits and is an essential part of my week. I couldn’t live without the Monday knitting group. I have an autistic son at home so I really look forward to being social in a safe setting. The friendship is everything to me. It is great to sit and have a coffee with friends. I am disabled and the knitting group is my one regular activity outside the home and offers me a vital social life and contact with other people. Feedback from Foxbar Library described the hot drinks as a “god send” for library users who attend the library daily to use the computers and read the newspapers. Glenburn library also found that most people tend to have a tea or coffee while reading the newspapers. One customer comes in most mornings, this is part of his routine, and when the milk ran out previously, he would bring his own milk with him so he could have a coffee while reading the paper.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 29 PUBLIC Library staff have also noticed that some visitors are making use of the hot water flasks to fill up instant noodles or warm a baby bottle. Johnstone Library found that the hot drinks appealed to children and adults alike. We have a group of 6 boys who come into the library most days after school to play chess and enjoy a hot chocolate. One couple do their daily walk of 1 mile, come into the library, read the newspapers and have a tea/coffee and then head back home. A comment from one visitor to Paisley Library, where an average of 30 cups a day were consumed, clearly demonstrated the value of the hot drinks to library users and the desire to continue this service. It’s great that tea and coffee is back. A great service for people with not much money and nowhere to go. Perhaps a voluntary collection box could be provided so that people like me who can afford to can contribute to costs so service can be provided for longer. One Ren was also able to offer three Gaelic Play sessons in Bishopton Library and in Ralston Library, accommodating 10 adults and their children. These sessions were extremely popular, particularly with young families, and feedback has been very positive, with many people asking for them to continue. One Ren is now exploring further funding options to help make this possible. We had a lovely morning! Really well organised and was great to meet lots of other mums and babes! Great to see more Gaelic classes being introduced. Parent feedback Ralston and Bishopton Libraries both received additional funding for a few board games and jigsaws. These were added to the existing collection, freely available to be enjoyed at any time the library is open.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 30 PUBLIC The snakes and ladders game has been extremely popular and the Dargavel and Early Learning Centre children enjoy it very much when their visit the library. All the games are well received including games received in past Winter/Summer connections like the marble run. Feedback from librarian 4.2. Areas for improvement Of the 32 projects that responded to a question about where the Winter Connections programme could be improved, 43% felt that the programme did not need any improvements. The remaining projects suggested the following: Promotion of the programme Along with more advertising in local papers and more Winter Connections leaflets to hand out, Erskine Arts suggested having a poster or 'map' of all the services that displays a weekly timetable of what is on. These options would be helpful for participants who are not “tech savvy” and for whom visiting a website or using Google might be a barrier compared to a poster or flyer with different options across the week. Just Dive In continued this theme with a suggestion of wider council-led promotion across Renfrewshire to help reach people who may not already be connected to community groups or online channels. Other suggestions for improved promotion included the creation of a Winter Connections app and sharing social media posts about each funded activity that is open to the general public, so that organisations can encourage people they know to attend. Additional Funding As in previous years, demand to participate in programme was high and often organisations were unable to accommodate the number of people wanting to attend. In addition, rising operational costs are adding pressure to Third Sector staff and services. Organisations would like support that reflects these rising costs.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 31 PUBLIC An increase in funding would also enable organisations to extend the life of the programme and reach more people without compromising on delivery. Securing additional funding would allow us to expand and strengthen the programme’s impact. With more resources, we could increase the number of sessions, provide a wider range of activities, and offer enhanced food provision to support more families facing cost- of-living pressures. Ultimately, increased financial support would help us reach more members of the community and provide deeper, more sustainable support during the holiday period. Stronger Communities Glenburn Additional funding could support organisations with food and activity resources, and specialist facilitators. It would also enable organisations to improve accessibility, invest in staffing and volunteers, and build stronger monitoring and evaluation processes to demonstrate long-term outcomes. It was also suggested that the Council could offer a discount for the hire of community buildings and village halls. Many organisations, including Just Dive In, would like to be able to deliver the programme all-year round. One of the most valuable things would be continued support beyond a single winter period. The need doesn’t stop when the funding ends, so having opportunities for longer-term or repeat funding would allow organisations to build on what’s already working rather than starting again each year. Just Dive In We will ensure that organisations are aware of other potential funding sources, such as Local Partnership funding and of support through Engage Renfrewshire to find information about alternative funding. Timescales Although the application window was opened earlier this year, feedback from participating organisations shows that they would like the application process to start even earlier, allowing projects to start from mid-October. This would provide more time to plan activities and ensure that staff and volunteers are in place to deliver the activities. This year, due to new payment processes within the Council, some organisations experienced delays in receiving their funding, although this should be a one-off with the new process now bedded in. In addition, organisations in the main need to await receipt of the funding prior to starting activities, so quick turnaround in decision-making on the grants is
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 32 PUBLIC appreciated and would prevent any delays in the programme activities being available to communities. Direct links to other services Most of the organisations delivering activities work closely with local partners but would like to strengthen the connection between organisations and council services, particulary around referral pathways from council teams to ensure that the people most in need are consistently reached. Networking and collaboration Organisations hosting Winter Connections activities are keen to meet and share learning about what has worked well for them in delivering their programme. Some suggested an information day so that organisations can link up with each other, while others would like to have a celebration event for participating organisations to showcase the fantastic work that the funding helps to support. I also think it might be a good idea to meet with other organisations who receive funding, so we can share learning, find out what works for them, how they communicate with their service users, how they plan events etc. Dates-n-Mates 5. Conclusions The Winter Connections programme aimed to encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. Feedback suggests that the programme continues to be successful in benefitting attendees by offering opportunities to connect and sustain relationships over the winter months. There is also evidence that the programme provides an inclusive and supportive environment for people to engage with services, helping to reduce financial and social isolation, reduce financial costs and provide access to information, advice and support. The wide range of activities on offer provided something for everyone and allowed access to new experiences, increasing confidence and enabling participants to learn new skills.
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 33 PUBLIC Supporting organisations to continue doing what they know works in their communities is important and the programme continues to be a significant part of the Council’s approach to addressing the cost-of-living crisis. Whilst the programme continues to be successful, the areas for improvement around promotion, timescales, networking, links to other services and additional funding should be noted. 6. Appendix 1 Organisations which hosted Winter Connections activity Bridge of Weir Scout Group Loud n Proud CREATE Paisley Our Place Our Families Renfrew Creation Corner Paisley Methodist Church Dates-n-Mates Pastoral Committee Paisley West Church Erskine Arts Ralston Primary Out of School Care Foxbar Community Gardens and Environmental Group Rays of Hope Foxbar Elderly Forum RE: Hope Next Generation Bible Church Friends of Howwood Park Renfrew YMCA SCIO Home-Start Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Robertson Housing Social Activities Group Houston Community Council Sewing2gether All Nations Howwood Community Council STAR Project Johnstone Burgh Community Club Stronger Communities Glenburn Johnstone Castle Learning Centre St Vincent’s Hospice Jones & Us Community Interest Company The Preshal Trust Just Dive In CIC The Tannahill Centre
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Winter Connections Evaluation Report 2026 34 PUBLIC KLAS Care CIC The Thursday Club Linwood Community Council Williamsburgh Housing Association Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) SCIO Your Community Your Space Youth Inspired
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35 PUBLIC Chief Executive’s Service Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR A big thank you to all of the organisations who provided feedback, quotes and photographs for this report.