Vital support for businesses

Senior economic development officer Gary Kenyon has worked for Renfrewshire Council for 25 years.

Since the outset of the pandemic, he has been part of a small team providing dedicated support to help local businesses and the self-employed.

He said:“I don’t believe anyone thought when we left the office a year ago, we would still be working from home – I just wish I’d had time to take some notepads and post-it notes!

“Prior to the pandemic, a large part of my role was meeting local businesses to discuss the issues they were facing and helping them to formulate action plans to support their long-term growth. I also delivered the range of financial support available to businesses through the council and our Business Gateway service.

“Virtually overnight, we all had to adapt to a new way of working. Ever since the first lockdown, I have been part of a small team delivering the different Scottish Government grants to local businesses.

Laura Brown and Noreen Murney are Early Learning and Childcare Officers at West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre.

Staff worked throughout providing care for the children of key workers and are now back with a full nursery again.

Laura said last year’s lockdown caused a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.

“The closedown and then the reopening of the early year’s hub left a lot of the staff feeling anxious at the uncertainty about how our roles would look and the safety of the children, themselves, and their own families.

“We were supported by management to address any concerns and provided with full PPE equipment.

“During the first few weeks our new roles emerged from the need to provide childcare and support for frontline line workers and play our own crucial part in the pandemic.”

Noreen said new policies have been put in place to make sure everyone involved in the nursery has access to a safe and welcoming environment.

She said: “Children have been assessing their learning in smaller bubbles which has giving staff the opportunities to work closer with individual children and families to support them through Covid.

“Due to having time at home staff were able to have more time to upskill and take part in a wide range of learning opportunities.

“This has benefited children greatly as new practices and play pedagogy have been introduced before children returned to nursery full time.

Laura also took the time to learn new computing and technology skills.

She said: “I have taken on the lead role in ICT and keeping the communication with parents and children open through the nursery