SLCVO

​Portree Community Centre March 26th 2025

The Skye and Lochalsh Third Sector Conference is a full-day event focused on collaboration, innovation, and capacity building for the Third Sector. It brings together key stakeholders, community leaders, and volunteers to share insights, discuss pressing challenges, and explore solutions that strengthen community services in the Skye and Lochalsh region. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on community assets, volunteer engagement, funding applications, and the role of rural voices in shaping health and social care services.

​

Key Highlights:

​

• Welcome and Keynote Address:
  Clive Pearson, Director of SLCVO, will open the event, followed by an inspiring presentation on shaping future collaboration in health, wellbeing, welfare and social care.

• Workshops & Facilitated Sessions:
  Participants will have the chance to attend practical workshops on crucial topics like writing successful funding applications, utilising statistics to demonstrate community needs, and understanding community asset transfer processes.

• Showcase of Innovation:
  Local Third Sector organisations will showcase successful projects, including the bespoke till system developed by Kyleakin Connections and the KEYS Project—a partnership addressing local addiction support needs.

• Interactive Networking Opportunities:
  Lunch and table discussions provide a unique opportunity for attendees to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the future of rural services.

• Final Session and Future Planning:
  The event concludes with an open discussion on amplifying rural voices in health and social care services and an invitation to continue shaping the future of the Health Wellbeing and Welfare Collaboration project.

​

Programme

• 10:00-10:15 Registration

• 10:15-10:20 Welcome address – Clive Pearson, Director SLCVO

• 10.20-10:40 Shaping Tomorrow Together - The Skye and Lochalsh Health Wellbeing and Welfare Collaboration Project Jo-Anne Ford Chief Officer and Michelle Seviour Research and Engagement Officer SLCVO

• 10:40-11:00 Growing Your Volunteer Community – Mhairi Wylie Chief Officer, HTSI

• 11:10-11:40 30 minute facilitated sessions – places must be booked

  • What makes a good application – Marie-Anne Grey (Economic Development & Regeneration) The Highland Council

  • Community Assets – Onie Tibbitt COSS Adviser DTAS

  • Using statistics to evidence need – Whole Family Wellbeing Performance and Improvement – The Highland Council

• 11:45 – 12:00 An invitation to get involved – Jo-Anne Ford Chief Officer ,SLCVO

• 12:00-13:00 Lunch - plus a great opportunity to get involved with our interactive tables

• 13:00-13:15 Innovation that works, tackling Rural Challenges - Harry Tedstone Highland Hospice

• 13:15-14:00 Showcasing our local Third Sector

  • Kyleakin Connections – the development of a bespoke till system for the Nice Café – Charlene MacLeod Kyleakin Connections

  • XCEL Church and the KEYS Project – a partnership solution to local addiction support needs 

  • TBC

• 14:00-14:30 Amplifying the rural voice– the Third Sector role in shaping Health and Social Care Services  (table discussions)

• 14:30-14:45 What the future holds and close

​​

14:50-15:30 If you have time – please grab a tea/coffee for a last chance to chat and mingle and reflect on the day. There will also be chance for the core Health Wellbeing and Welfare Collaboration steering group to discuss taking things forward.​​​​