Stay tuned for daily updates... 

iLearn Kick Off—Monday 12 May
Free Learning Frenzy—Tuesday 13th May
Wellbeing Wednesday—Wednesday 14th May 
Financial Fitness —Thursday 15th May
Discover AI—Friday 16 May  
 

iLearn Kick Off—Monday 12 May 

Explore a world of learning at your fingertips 

Our digital learning platform, iLearn, is where you'll find our mandatory training courses plus over 500 modules on a range of topics such as: 

• Wellbeing—Learn techniques to manage stress and care for your mental health.  
• Digital skills—Explore courses on data literacy and expand your Office 365 skills. 
• Professional and personal development—From communication skills to leadership training, there's plenty to help you develop in your career. 

Learn any time, any where  

iLearn is accessible from any device. Whether you're at your desk, at home, or on the go, you can continue your learning journey without needing to access our network or a council device.  

You can also catch-up with RenTalks 

Our popular RenTalks programme covers a variety of topics from council projects and initiatives to employment policies and supporting your wellbeing. 

If you missed a live session, did you know you can catch up on recordings via iLearn? Simply type 'RenTalks' into the search bar to see what's available.  

Start learning today! 

Since we launched the new and improved platform just over one year ago, more than 6,500 of you have accessed iLearn, completing over 52,800 courses.  

Login today and join your colleagues who are taking advantage of the abundance of learning opportunities that await you on iLearn. 

Start exploring the courses available today (iLearn). 

Free Learning Frenzy—Tuesday 13 May

Lifelong learning opportunities

We're excited to highlight some of the free learning opportunities including local community activities and online platforms that can be accessed anywhere, any time.

Whether you want to learn a new skill, improve your knowledge, or simply explore a new hobby, there is something for everyone.

Adult learning in Renfrewshire

As a local authority we provide a range of free courses for adults to improve essential skills like reading, writing, spelling, and numeracy, as well as support for job seekers and those taking their driving theory tests.

We also offer English classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and courses in money management, personal development, wellbeing, women's history and crafts like knitting and sewing.

If you're looking to build your digital literacy, Renfrewshire Libraries offer digital drop-in sessions where you can access personalised support to enhance your digital skills in a friendly, relaxed environment.

Get more information about the range of free adult learning courses in Renfrewshire.

Learn a new language with Duolingo 

Duolingo is a popular language-learning app that offers a fun and interactive way to learn a new language. With Duolingo you can choose from over 40 different languages and start learning through bitesize reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises.

Duolingo provides personalised learning experiences by adapting to your progress and tailoring practice sessions to your needs.

To sign up for Duolingo, you can download the free Duolingo app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit the Duolingo website.

Free learning with OpenLearn

Did you know the Open University's distance learning platform 'OpenLearn' has around 1,000 free courses on a vast range of subjects including business, health, psychology, languages, and technology?

The flexible modules allow you to study at your own pace and fit learning around your work schedule. Plus, many come with digital badges or statements of participation upon completion.

Get more information about OpenLearn and explore the courses on offer (OpenLearn website).

Wellbeing Wednesday—Wednesday 14 May

Resources for your self-care and wellbeing

Self-care and supporting your own wellbeing don't always come easily and sometimes we all need to learn when and how to put our own needs first.

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that can help you on your wellness journey so you can live a healthier, happier life while still meeting your responsibilities.

Here's a quick look at some of our support at work:

Our wellbeing hub
Our employee wellbeing hub is a great place to start if you're looking for support at work or elsewhere. It's got advice, tips and lots of signposts for services and resources to support your mental, physical and financial health.
Visit our employee wellbeing hub.

Wellbeing-focussed RenTalks and iLearn courses
Lots of our RenTalks sessions focus on topics related to wellbeing and self-care. Just last week, Dr Heather Currie and menopause expert Ruth Devlin delivered a session on 'Discussing Hormone Replacement Therapy' for colleagues going through menopause—watch the recording on iLearn.

You can watch more wellbeing-related RenTalks recordings any time on iLearn, and you can access a range of e-learning courses on topics like Understanding and Managing Emotions, Stress Busters, Wellbeing Conversations and Trauma Informed training.n

Just head to the 'Wellbeing' section from the iLearn homepage or search for a specific course in the search bar.
Access e-learning and wellbeing related RenTalks on iLearn. 

Mental Health First Aiders
When you need someone to talk to, our trained Mental Health First Aiders are ready to listen and help you find the support you need. They're based in different locations across all our services and are happy to speak to you in person, online or over the phone.
Find out about our Mental Health First Aiders.

Employee counselling service
If you need something more structured and think you could benefit from counselling, our employee counselling service, Time for Talking, offers free, confidential therapy from professional counsellors.

They also have lots of free resources like webinars and their Time for Talking podcast where you can listen to meaningful conversations on topics such as 'Anxiety', 'Getting your Mojo Going', and 'Positive Thinking'.
Visit their website for full details (Time for Talking website).

Further support and resources

National Wellbeing Hub
Visit the National Wellbeing Hub for practical tips and guidance to help improve your mental and physical wellbeing. 
Visit their website (National Wellbeing Hub).

Breathing and relaxation
Relieve stress and follow along with videos on breathing and relaxation exercises with NHS Inform.
Learn about breathing and relaxation techniques (NHS Inform).

Take a walk
Treat your body and mind to a walk around one of Renfrewshire's many outdoor places that are ideal for reconnecting with nature. The Paisley.is website has lots of ideas for where you can go. 
Explore places to visit in Renfrewshire (Paisley.is website).

At home workouts
Get active, even when you're at home with the NHS Youtube Channel. It's got lots of instructor led workout videos like 'Aerobics for Beginners, Pilates for Arthritis, and Back Care.
Browse the NHS workout videos (YouTube).

Stop smoking
If you want to stop smoking, Renfrewshire HSCP Stop Smoking Service can give you advice and support you on your individual journey. 
Go their webpage for support to stop smoking (Renfrewshire HSCP website).

Mental health
Finally, these organisations offer various supports for taking care of your mental health:

• Scotland Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
• See Me Scotland
• Mind
• The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) 

We hope you have found and resources we have shared today helpful for learning about taking care of your wellbeing and accessing support when you need it.

Next up: Financial Fitness

Sometimes dealing with our finances can feel overwhelming, but taking small steps can make a real difference. Tomorrow we'll be sharing some useful resources to start you off on your financial planning journey no matter your circumstances or stage of life.

Published—Monday 12 May 2025
Updated—Wednesday 14 May 2025