Welcome to this week's Financial Inclusion Network news

The Financial Inclusion Network is an informal group of over 250 members taken from the Public and Third Sectors which covers all areas of South Lanarkshire.  This network is to share information from a wide range of themes. We hope to provide a new update each week that can be accessed by all members at any time to see what is going on in the area under the headings below. If you would like an item included within our weekly news, please complete our short online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/Ht5w7iAuFi.  For further information, please email communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 

Money is not the only problem – Employment

If you are looking for work, there are services within South Lanarkshire who can help you with this. They can provide training, support and advice for you. They can also help if you are in work but need to develop your skills to secure better paid jobs or need to know about your employment rights including how much the Living Wage is or what in work benefits you can claim.

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/524

Community Networking Event

Friday 10 October 2025 (12noon- 4pm) Council HQ, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA

We are delighted to invite you to this year’s Community Networking Event, a chance for local groups, organisations, and individuals to come together, connect, and share ideas.

The event will also be a welcoming space where you can:

• Share experiences, ideas, and opportunities
• Learn more about what is happening across South Lanarkshire
• Explore how we can support each other to make a difference in our communities

Alongside plenty of opportunities to meet others and build connections, the day will also feature a range of workshops on important community topics, including:

• Credit unions and local financial support
• Free period products and tackling period poverty
• Home energy advice and support
• Community safety initiatives
• Health inequalities
  …and many more, please check the link below for full list of workshops.

Everyone with an interest is welcome – whether you’re part of a group, a volunteer, or simply want to find out more about what is happening locally.

For more details and to keep up to date with the programme, please visit: www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/cp/cne2025

Lived Experience Fund

The Lived Experience Fund supports local organisations to capture the voices of South Lanarkshire residents to help share better services and policies. Grants of up to £500 are available that supports residents facing poverty, inequality or deprivation.

For further information and to apply visit the Community Planning website :-

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/cp/info/44/challenging_poverty/63/lived_experience_fund

The LEAP Project – Wednesday Lunch Club

This event is held on the first and third Wednesday every month from 12noon - 2pm at Clydeford View Sheltered Housing, Allison Drive, Cambuslang, G72 7HP. This is a lunch club in Cambuslang specifically for people living with dementia and their carers. The group begins with lunch then the carers separate into their own space for a wellbeing or information session while the dementia group stays in the main area for activities. This gives the carers a chance to breathe and offer each other peer support in the knowledge their loved ones are safe and supported in a caring environment.

dementia.services@leap-project.co.uk 

 0141 641 5169

https://www.leap-project.co.uk/dementia-services

Business Gateway Lanarkshire – Start Up Bootcamp

Coming to Blantyre. Tuesday 21 October 2025 – 10am – 2.30pm - David Livingstone Birthplace Blantyre. Are you thinking about starting a business, or have you recently launched and want to make sure you are on the right track? Business Gateway Lanarkshire is hosting a free Start-up Bootcamp - an interactive workshop that covers everything you need to know about starting a successful business. Join Business Advisers, Meghan and Iona, for a hands-on session packed with practical tools, useful resources, and designed to give you the confidence to help you get started. Plus, you will get access to ongoing, dedicated 1-to-1 support from a local Business Adviser. This is an in-person workshop. Book your free place at - https://www.bgateway.com/events/start-up-bootcamp-30304

Or email for more information:- lanarkshire@bgateway.com