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 – Getting Involved

Getting involved in your community can help you become a part of something and give you chances to learn new things, make friends and make a difference to others. This section shows some ways that you can do that - https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/525

AbilityNet

We pleased to confirm that the BT Digital Skills project has been renewed until March 27. Training is available throughout Lanarkshire to adults with disabilities or people age 65+ years.  We can run the following sessions, or build something bespoke for your group or for an individual:

• An Introduction to Tech
• An Introduction to the Internet
• Getting to know your Smartphone or Tablet
• Staying Safer Online
• Getting started with email
• Using Social Media
• Online entertainment, e.g. watching TV online
• How to access Public Services e.g. Gov.UK
• Downloading Apps
• How to make a video call
• How to manage your health online
• How to bank online
• How to shop online
• Introduction to using a computer for writing documents.

To learn more please visit our website. Digital Skills Training for older people and disabled adults | AbilityNet

You can request a session either through our website or contacting us directly on 0141 674 1362 or caroline.martin@abilitynet.org.uk

Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub

Grants of up to £250 are now available to community groups and organisations across Lanarkshire to take part in Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival 2026. The festival takes place from 7-20 September 2026.  Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival is the largest climate festival in Lanarkshire bringing communities together through positive climate action.  Last year’s festival boasted nearly 100 engaging events organised by community groups, organisations and businesses. The programme included everything from clothing mend and repair workshops and renewable energy learning visits to led bike rides and local litter picks.  The festival is organised by Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub who offers funding to community groups and organisations to stage events during the festival fortnight.  Events are organised under the themes of Circularity, Community Engagement, Energy, Food and Nature and Travel, but the Hub welcomes creative ideas for different types of events and activities.  All events must either aim to start local climate conversations and/or raise interest in climate action in the community.  The grant is now open for applications to constituted Lanarkshire based community groups and organisations with a bank account and closes for applications on 31 May 2026.  To apply, see the festival website, https://lanarkshireclimateactionfestival.net/funding or email: grants@climateactionlanarkshire.net for more details.