Brexit, Scotland’s named person scheme and community resilience on the agenda at Dumfries & Galloway’s third sector conference
The only conference of its kind in Dumfries & Galloway, Connect 2016 brings together third and public sector organisations from across the region to hear about, and debate, the hot topics currently affecting them.
A talk on the implications of Brexit for the third sector by Alison Cairns, Head of Development for SCVO (Scottish Council For Voluntary Organisations), will open Connect 2016 on Tuesday, November 29 at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries.
Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway’s fourth, and largest, annual conference will also feature 13 workshops for delegates to choose from.
These include The Enabling State, hosted by The Carnegie UK Trust, which examines the need to address the pressures and limitations on the traditional welfare state and how things can be done differently.
Another will look at Scotland’s Children’s Act 2014 and its implications for the third sector, focusing on the Named Person legislation for children and young people.
Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Community Resilience Advisor Steven Wyllie will facilitate Resilient Communities, discussing how to make communities more robust in the face of severe weather disasters and other threats.
Other workshop topics include: fund raising, charity and employment law, community justice, self management, carers, alcohol and drug services review, services for children and young people and ‘Sport For Change’ – the power of sport to help people in communities.
Conference exhibition stands include Big Lottery Fund, community justice organisation Sacro and skills training provider CTC.
Connect 2015 attracted 250 delegates from across the region and organisers hope this year’s conference will attract even more, from public sector representatives to charity trustees, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations.
Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway Operations Manager Graham Bartlet“There is no other conference like this in the region,” says Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway Operations Manager Graham Bartlett. “It’s very much tailored for the region but it will highlight wider national issues which affect communities across the sector.
“It’s a chance to connect with friends, colleagues and the rest of the third sector network as well as learning something new. It is not to be missed.”
The full day conference, including lunch, and two workshops, is £25 for Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway members (the organisation is free to join), and £45 for non members.
Booking is essential. See www.connect2016.org.uk for full details, or telephone Third Sector D&G 0300 3038558
