Community and neighbourhood issues

Adults and families can come together to socialise in a safe and friendly environment at the Togetherness Group and DigiZone at Southend Action Centre. 

Enjoy activities like reading, games, and gardening whilst making new friends, sharing and learning new skills from each other.

The group is organised by the Adult and Family Learning Service as part of the Winter Connections programme.

The group has capacity for 40 people.

DigiZone available to use your own device or one of ours.

If you're interested in attending any of these groups, contact us by:

• phone: 0141 487 0160 
• email: adult.learning@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Togetherness Group sessions will take place at 9:45am to 11:45am from:

• Monday 2 November to Monday 14 December 2026 (off Monday 30 November)
• Monday 11 January to Monday 22 March 2027.

Wake Up Warm Up is a free morning fitness class with Thorn Athletic Community Trust and is suitable for all abilities. 

Taking place on Fridays, the class includes 45 minutes of physical activity in a safe, welcoming and easily accessible venue.

The fitness class is followed by hot drinks and the opportunity to sit and talk with other participants. 

An active kickstart to the weekend led by a qualified fitness instructor and suitable for all abilities. 

For enquiries and further information, contact Thorn Athletic Community Trust by:

• email: enquiries@thornathletic.com
• phone: 01505 335 171

The fitness class takes place on Fridays at 9:30am, from 13 November 2026 to 26 March 2027 (not running on 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027).

This is a turn up and go session, no requirement to book.

Foxbar Elderly Forum host an Older People Coming Together community drop-in on Mondays.

The drop-in will include:

• games
• bingo
• hot drinks
• sandwiches
• cake.

Lunch is provided. No booking required.

• Phone 07913 602 671

Drop-ins will take place on Mondays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, from 9 November 2026 to 19 April 2027. 

It will be closed 21 December for Christmas and reopen on 11 January 2027.

Shopmobility Renfrewshire host engaging craft events for disabled participants and their families or carers to:

• make Christmas cards
• roll tube flowers
• folded baskets 
• folded cloth friends.

As well as learning new skills attendees can socialise and enjoy refreshments.

Bus number 7 stops nearby.

Craft events include:

• Christmas Crafts on Friday 20 November and Friday 27 November from 10am to 12.30pm
• Jewellery Making on Tuesday 8 December, from 2pm until 3.30pm.

If you are interested in coming along please contact Finding Your Feet by:

• phone: 0141 258 4868 

Find out about more events at the Shopmobility Renfrewshire Facebook Page.

Connections at Linwood Baptist Church brings the local community together to enjoy company, games and a hot lunch. 

There will be hot drinks and snacks, including:

• soup
• rolls and sausage/bacon
• bread
• cakes 
• biscuits. 

No booking required. All welcome.  

• Email wsmathieson@hotmail.com 

Connections takes place on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm, from 29 October 2026 to 25 March 2027 (not open over Christmas holidays).

The Tannhill Centre, Paisley, will host a DigiBites drop-in café aimed at older people and adults to receive practical help with digital devices.

Learn essential digital skills with Sandra, who'll answer all your digital questions. 

Week 1 will cover online safety. 

Enjoy a free bowl of homemade soup, sandwiches, cakes, and hot drinks while learning how to set up email accounts, stay safe online, video call, and access online services. 

The centre also provides free breakfast, tea and toast, and soup for lunch on a daily basis at the café.

• Phone Sandra Mendez on 0141 280 8801 
• Email SMendez@FPHA.org.uk 

Sessions will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 November 2026 until 1 April 2027.

The Tannahill Café is open 8am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (NEC) card for young people in Scotland to use for free or discounted travel, proof of age, or other discounts and rewards.

If you are aged between 11 and 15, your parent or carer will need to apply for you.

If you're aged 16 or over, you can apply online for your Young Scot Card (NEC) yourself.

If you're between 11 and 22 years old, you can use your Young Scot Card NEC for free bus travel.

Free bus travel for 5 to 21 year olds

You can also use your card for:

• proof of age
• discounts and rewards with shops, cafes, and services
• other travel discounts
• Young Scot membership.

Find out more about the Young Scot card on the Young Scot website.

You or your parent or carer will need:

• a mygovscot account
• proof of your identity and address
• a passport-like photo of you when you apply

If you're applying online, you can use a device, like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to take a digital photo and upload it with your application.

You can apply online on the getyournec.scot website.

You can use a device, like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to take a digital photo and upload it with your application.

Get your NEC

If you can't apply for your card online, you can get an application form at any library in Renfrewshire.

You'll need to bring a passport-like photograph and proof documents with you.

You can ask for help to apply at any library in Renfrewshire or contact us for advice:

You can change, replace, or renew your card online if:

• your card is lost, damaged or stolen
• you need to change the photo on your card
• your address has changed.

You'll need your 16-digit card number to change or replace your card. 

If you don't know the number on your card, you should apply for a new card online or contact us:

Young Scot NEC cards are free. 

There's no cost for applying, renewing, or replacing your card.

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) is for people in Scotland aged 60 or over to get free bus travel and reduced fares on coaches, trains, and the Subway in the Strathclyde area.

If you are aged 60 or over and you live in Scotland , you can apply for a NEC.

You can use your NEC for:

• free bus travel in Scotland
• reduced fares on coaches, trains, and the Subway in the Strathclyde area
• library membership or leisure centre membership. 

When you apply, you'll need to provide:

• proof of your identity
• proof of your current address
• a recent 'passport-like' photograph.

You can find out about the card, eligibility, and what proofs are required on the Transport Scotland Website.

You can apply online through the getyournec.scot website.

You can use a device, like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to take a digital photo and upload it with your application.

Get your NEC

If you cannot apply online, you may be able to apply in person through the post office. Check if this is available at your local branch.

Send your application form to:

It normally takes up to 4 weeks from when we receive your application by post to when you get your card.

You can change, replace, or renew your card online if:

• your card is lost, damaged or stolen
• you need to change the photo on your card
• your address has changed.

If your card has expired or is due to expire, you should apply at least 5 weeks before your card expires for SPT to provide you with a new card.

You'll need your 16-digit card number to change or replace your card online. If you do not know the number on your card, you should apply for a new card online or get an application form from your local post office.

If you cannot change, replace, or renew your card online, contact the SPT Concessionary Travel Office for help:

NEC cards are free. 

There's no cost for applying, renewing, or replacing your card.

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) is for disabled people in Scotland to get free bus travel or reduced fares on other kinds of transport.

If you have a  disability and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a NEC.

Anyone who lives in Scotland with a valid disability proof dated within the last 18 months can apply for a NEC.

If you have a travel companion, they can also travel with you for free. if you meet eligibility criteria.

Children under the age of 5 who have a disability can get free bus travel with an NEC. Their accompanying companion can also travel free with them.

See the eligibility criteria on the Transport Scotland website.

You can use your NEC for:

• free bus travel in Scotland
• reduced fares on coaches, trains and the Subway in the Strathclyde area
• free travel for a companion to help you use public transport, if you meet the eligibility criteria
• library membership or leisure centre membership.

When you apply, you'll need to provide:

• proof of your identity
• proof of your current address
• proof you meet the eligibility criteria
• a recent passport size photograph.

You can find out about the card, eligibility, and what proofs are required on the Transport Scotland Website.

You can apply online through the getyournec.scot website.

You can use a device, like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to take a digital photo and upload it with your application.

Get your NEC

If you cannot apply online, you can download an application form from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) website.

Send your application form to:

It normally takes up to 4 weeks from when we receive your application by post to when you get your card.

You can change, replace, or renew your card online if:

• your card is lost, damaged or stolen
• you need to change the photo on your card
• your address has changed.

If your card has expired or is due to expire, you should apply at least 5 weeks before your card expires for SPT to provide you with a new card.

You'll need your 16-digit card number to change or replace your card online. If you do not know the number on your card, you should apply for a new card online or get an application form from your local post office.

If you cannot change, replace, or renew your card online, contact the SPT Concessionary Travel Office for help:

NECs are free. 

There's no cost for applying, renewing, or replacing your card.

Children and young people in Renfrewshire can travel for free on buses throughout Scotland.

You can get free bus travel if you are between 5 and 21 years old and you have either a:

• National Entitlement Card (NEC)
• Young Scot Card (NEC).

Children under 5 years old already travel for free on commercial bus services and don't need a card.

You can use your National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC to travel free on any bus service in Scotland.

Who can apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC)

Children under 5 years old don't need a card.

If your child is:

• nearly 5 years old, you can apply for their card up to 2 weeks before their fifth birthday
• aged between 5 and 10, you will need to apply for their Junior National Entitlement Card (NEC)
• aged between 11 and 15, you will need to apply for a Young Scot Card (NEC).

If you are between 16 and 21 years of age, you can apply for your own Young Scot Card (NEC).

If you already have a card

If you are aged 16 or over, you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app.

You can download the Transport Scot Pass Collect app for:

• Android devices from the Google Play store
• Apple IOS devices from the Apple App store.

How to use the Transport Scot Pass Collect app

Watch this YouTube video to learn how to use the app:

If your card is lost, damaged or stolen

You can apply for a replacement card if your card is lost, damaged or stolen.

Apply online on:

• parentsportal.scot
• getyournec.scot.

If your child or children are in a Renfrewshire primary school, you can also contact the school office during term time to complete a form.

If you need help with applying for your own or your child's NEC card, contact us:

Your application for a card uses personal data held by your child's school.

To process your child's card, we need:

• your child's name
• address
• date of birth
• gender 
• contact details

Photographs are included on cards for young people aged 11 and over. They are not used on cards for children between 5 and 10 years old.

We use the personal information solely to process card applications.

The data is shared with our contractors, suppliers, and service providers, to allow us to administer, manage and maintain the travel concession schemes.

You can see more details about how your child's data is managed in the privacy policy for concessionary travel and smart ticketing, including the National Entitlement Card (NEC), on the Transport for Scotland website.

Find out more about the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme for Under 22s (Transport Scotland website.

It's part of the Scottish Government's National Transport Strategy which aims to build a fairer, greener society.