It is themed around cost of living and the role of the third sector
CVS Inverclyde has announced more guest speakers and details about workshops at its annual conference.
The event is themed around the cost of living crisis and the role of Inverclyde’s third sector: how to support communities, and also ensure third sector organisations can cope with rising bills to continue their vital work.
Therefore, CVS Inverclyde is bringing together a wealth of knowledge and expertise to discuss the importance of recognising the challenges facing charities and voluntary groups and how to find solutions.
New guest speakers just announced are Kirsten Hogg, head of policy and research at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and Stephen Cahill, special projects and regional manager (Scotland) at Cranfield Trust.
Charlene Elliott, CVS Inverclyde CEO, said: “We have a terrific line-up for our annual conference with guest speakers covering a wide range of topics relevant to Inverclyde’s third sector. As the third sector interface for Inverclyde, our role is to support, connect and represent our third sector and our annual conference gives us the chance to come together, share knowledge and expertise, and work to tackle the challenges we face.
“During the cost of living crisis Inverclyde’s third sector is, as always, on the frontline supporting our communities. So it is crucial we highlight the pressures that charities, community groups and social enterprises are experiencing – we cannot deliver lifeline services if we can’t heat our buildings and meet ever rising costs.
“Our conference is also an opportunity to highlight some of the important aspects of our own work and the impact we make. I’m so pleased we’re continuing our Challenge Stigma series at conference because this has been a really meaningful project this year and brought together individuals and groups to share their experiences of stigma and how it affects them.
“I’m grateful to every speaker for contributing to our conference and I can’t wait to hear from everyone as we bring our third sector together next week – it’s not to be missed.”
Kirsten Hogg said: “I’m thrilled to be joining this event at such a crucial time for the voluntary sector.
“Charities, social enterprises and community groups are at the forefront of supporting our communities during the cost of living crisis, while at the same time facing many challenges themselves due to rising costs and increasing demand.
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to make sure that voluntary organisations across Inverclyde know about the support that is available from SCVO, and to hear more about their experiences and needs.”
Previously announced key note speakers include Inverclyde councillor Elizabeth Robertson, chair of Inverclyde Alliance, Community Planning Partnership; and Tom Arthur MSP, Scottish Government minister for public finance, planning and community wealth.
CVS Inverclyde also excited to reveal more details about workshops where attendees will learn more about our own work plus hear from local and national funders.
Volunteering workshop will explore how the cost of living will impact local volunteering, with Debbie Maltman, research officer from Volunteer Scotland, helping to explore this topic.
There will also be a Challenge Stigma workshop continuing a series of events looking at how stigma manifests, its impact, and why it must be challenged.
During the funding workshop attendees will hear from Inverclyde Community Fund about its grants for local groups; Man On! Inverclyde will speak about its work and the impact of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; and Foundation Scotland will speak about its work helping charities.
Join online from 10am on Thursday 17 November. Sign up for free here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/431575362527
