Can someone take the minutes? How often do you avoid eye contact when this question is asked in meetings?

April 2025 will see the implementation of a new law, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. This will change the disclosure process for every group that is currently accessing disclosure checks, and for some groups that are not, as well as impacting on the volunteers/staff that you disclosure check. To prepare for the forthcoming changes Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services will be running information sessions about the major changes in the disclosure process and how these will impact on your group and volunteers/staff.

April 2025 will see the implementation of a new law, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. This will change the disclosure process for every group that is currently accessing disclosure checks, and for some groups that are not, as well as impacting on the volunteers/staff that you disclosure check. To prepare for the forthcoming changes Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services will be running information sessions about the major changes in the disclosure process and how these will impact on your group and volunteers/staff.

For anyone carrying out a regulated role and for organisations who have volunteers and/or staff carrying out a regulated role for them.

April 2025 will see the implementation of a new law, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. This will change the disclosure process for every group that is currently accessing disclosure checks, and for some groups that are not, as well as impacting on the volunteers/staff that you disclosure check. To prepare for the forthcoming changes Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services will be running information sessions about the major changes in the disclosure process and how these will impact on your group and volunteers/staff.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 introduces 'regulated roles' to define whether PVG scheme membership is required when working with children and/or protected adults. This replaces the previous definition of regulated work.

April 2025 will see the implementation of a new law, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. This will change the disclosure process for every group that is currently accessing disclosure checks, and for some groups that are not, as well as impacting on the volunteers/staff that you disclosure check. To prepare for the forthcoming changes Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services will be running information sessions about the major changes in the disclosure process and how these will impact on your group and volunteers/staff.

Why measure social impact? Every organisation can and should measure their social impact, especially in these uncertain times, because evaluation is key to securing both continued and future funding. Indeed, funding often depends on reporting your social impact clearly and concisely to funders who want to know their investment is making a real difference.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 introduces 'regulated roles' to define whether PVG scheme membership is required when working with children and/or protected adults. This replaces the previous definition of regulated work.

In a rapidly changing world, how can trustees and boards confidently navigate the challenges of climate change while embracing opportunities for a better future? Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking webinar where we’ll explore what it means to be a climate-confident leader and organisation.

Lifelink is a leading mental health and wellbeing social enterprise, based in Glasgow, dedicated to helping individuals and communities thrive. They offer tailored services designed to support emotional resilience, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health. Their programmes, for young people, adults, businesses and public sector clients, include one-to-one counselling, group sessions, webinars and training that address a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, and work-life balance challenges.

Every charity can benefit from regularly reviewing its governance, and both trustees and staff working within the Scottish voluntary sector will gain value from attending this practical course, which addresses common governance challenges.

This three-part online series with freelance consultant Philippa Bonella will give learners practical tools and top tips to help improve their charity’s governance, as well provide a space to reflect and hear from peers.

The ‘Keeping Trauma in Mind’ programme of 5 twilight sessions will provide educators from all sectors with an opportunity to understand the impact of trauma and develop trauma responsive strategies to support children and young people affected by psychological trauma.

Research shows that the support the child receives from their main caregivers and wider family is one of the most significant factors in affecting the longer-term impacts of sexual abuse and will have a big influence on how a child will understand and respond to what has happened.

This event is part of DTAS’s New Futures Programme – Former Places of Worship event series. New Futures is a three-year programme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Development Trusts Association Scotland to provide enhanced support to community groups considering taking on a church across Scotland. This is in direct response to the significant and unprecedented number of former places of worship that are due for disposal over the next several years.

In order to be successful in starting and running a social enterprise it is important to develop the necessary skillset to assist you in your journey. One vital area is the wide-ranging subject summarised as “Legal” the do’s and don’ts, the guidance and the facts you need to be aware of for your social enterprise to operate. This interactive session will take deep dive into these issues allowing you to assess your own organisation, set goals and incorporate a blend of coaching and mentoring alongside the legal advice and business support that will provide the best possible outcome for your organisation.

An organisation should regularly review its governance in order to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. This practical course will address common governance challenges, which will benefit participating trustees and staff working within the Scottish voluntary sector.

People management is often the biggest concern of team leaders, supervisors and managers, which is understandable given that it is a fundamental to being a great manager. This course with Mark Douglas from Blue Ptarmigan identifies what it means to be a great people manager, exploring the roles, responsibilities and skill sets required.

Come along and meet the Third Force News (TFN) team! This informal session will introduce you to the TFN team members and explain their roles. You will also hear about the different ways there are to get your organisation’s news and views into TFN. And finally, you will have an opportunity to chat to the team - to tell them about your organisation and ask questions.

Have you heard of 'pawternity', or 'me-ternity'? There are so many different types of employee leave it can be difficult to figure out which is which sometimes. This webinar session, facilitated by SCVO's HR service, will provide an overview of all types of leave your staff may request. We'll talk about annual leave and parental leave, as well as more progressive options we're hearing about, like 'pawternity' for looking after new pets or 'me-ternity' for child free women to travel or write.

Join Social Enterprise Scotland for an informal and insightful session where they shine a light on some of the lesser-known – but seriously valuable – sources of support and resources available to social enterprises.

It is important for an organisation to regularly review its governance, and so by attending this practical course both Scottish voluntary sector trustees and staff will gain the confidence and skills to address any governance challenges they may face.

This event is part of DTAS’s Facility Management guidance series which aims to help Community Organisations better manage their Community Facilities.

Time management is about making the best use of your time. However this is easier said than done – particularly when organisations are being required to do more with less. If you think time management approaches will help you keep control of your workload then this interactive and participative online course is for you!

Whether you’re new to SCVO or you’ve been part of its membership community for a while, SCVO would love to see you at their membership welcome meeting, exclusively for SCVO members and supporters. Come along and learn about accessing and making the most of your membership benefits, chat with the SCVO team and ask questions, and connect with your fellow members and supporters.

This is an introduction to what a human rights and equalities approach means for third sector boards and committees. It’s for people who have a say, or give advice and support, on how boards or committees are run: trustees, board or committee members, managers, capacity building officers etc. – and will provide you with the tools you need to integrate human rights and equalities into the work of boards and committees.

The aim of this training is to highlight the vulnerability of disabled children and support practitioners identify and respond to concerns about neglect and harm. Disability awareness and effective communication are important to ensure children and young people with disabilities are safe.

Connect with fellow hall workers and volunteers; learn about how to connect with service providers and funding opportunities; discuss new ways to connect with your communities. Share stories, tips, and experiences; share positive experiences and celebrate the impact you’re making on your communities; share difficulties you’ve faced or are facing, problems you’ve encountered and ways to address these. Inspire others with creative solutions to common village hall issues; get inspired to apply for funding or investigate new income streams; feel inspired by the wonderful community-building going on in rural and urban communities across Scotland.

For anyone carrying out a regulated role and for organisations who have volunteers and/or staff carrying out a regulated role for them.

SCVO recognises that simply transitioning everything from the office to a virtual space is no longer enough and that the hybrid work place has now become the norm for many of us. This transition has inadvertently had a negative impact on our mental well-being. Issues like staff stress, burnout, an incessant sense of always being on, and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life have left us feeling drained, and in many ways still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic. Nonetheless, there are tangible steps we can take today to restore balance and cultivate contented, healthy hybrid workplaces.

This event is part of DTAS’s New Futures Programme – Former Places of Worship event series. New Futures is a three-year programme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) to provide enhanced support to community groups considering taking on a church across Scotland. This is in direct response to the significant and unprecedented number of former places of worship that are due for disposal over the next several years.

Are you thinking about getting started on social media, but aren’t quite sure how to go about it? Well, get ready to enter a whole new world of communication that will help you reach your members, networks, and the voluntary sector in times of crisis and beyond. This online course with Ross McCulloch from Third Sector Lab will get you started on a social media strategy and show you how to use social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter) and blogging more effectively and make every post, reply, like and comment count!

The aim of this three-hour SCVO course is to build participants’ knowledge of safeguarding for the Scottish voluntary sector. You will be able to learn more about the regulatory requirements for safeguarding and good practice in proactively preventing harm, building a positive safeguarding culture and responding well to concerns.

This briefing will give you an introduction to the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DS DAS) - also known as Claire’s Law – with time for questions. DS DAS gives people the right to ask about the background of their partner. It allows concerned relatives and friends the right to ask if someone’s partner has been abusive in the past. It also gives Police Scotland the power to tell people that they may be at risk, even if it is not asked for.

The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration of these activities, with oral questions and set scenarios, which you must satisfactorily complete to pass the practical assessment. The trainer will instruct, guide and support you throughout the day within an informal setting, and will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Does data protection and/or the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) leave you feeling worried, unsure or confused? If it does, this online course will be a great base upon which to build your knowledge in the area of data protection and the way it might impact your organisation.

In today’s work environment, meetings have significantly increased, with the average person spending twice as much time in meetings compared to 2019. Hybrid workers, in particular, spend about 50% of their time in meetings, making it crucial to ensure these meetings are productive. However, 71% of people feel that most meetings are pointless, leading to frustration and disengagement. Excessive meetings also contribute to higher stress levels, negatively impacting well-being and overall productivity.

This will be a free interactive facilitated event promoting dialogue between academics and voluntary sector practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders from a broad range of third sector organisations.

Personal resilience is crucial and most helpful when navigating times of great ambiguity, uncertainty and challenge, all of which seem to be more and more present in our day-to-day working lives.

Staff and volunteers are using digital systems every day. Giving them the right awareness and training to spot cyber risks and take appropriate action is key. Only 18% of UK charities have some form of cyber staff training in place, so during this session we will discuss how you can effectively promote cyber resilience within your organisation and learn more about our third theme - phishing.

For anyone carrying out a regulated role and for organisations who have volunteers and/or staff carrying out a regulated role for them.

Despite what people in communications say, ‘communications’ is really not that complicated. What is complicated is knowing how to engage with supporters, stakeholders, funders and friends to keep the show on the road, so it has never been more important to keep communicating (talking and listening).

Digital change isn’t just for top executives or tech experts - it can happen anywhere, by anyone, at any time. The key is to simply get started! In this session, we’ll break down how digital transformation works, why it matters, and how you can make an impact no matter your role. We’ll cover practical ways to spot opportunities, take action, and navigate any challenges along the way.

For anyone carrying out a regulated role and for organisations who have volunteers and/or staff carrying out a regulated role for them.

In partnership, SCVO and Challenges Catalyst are pleased to offer this introductory online project management course for the voluntary sector. The online content is designed for participants who want to understand the principles of project management, whether delivery is virtual or in the workplace.

For anyone carrying out a regulated role and for organisations who have volunteers and/or staff carrying out a regulated role for them.

SCVO knows collaborative working and team work has many benefits but it can be challenging to do in a hybrid work setting. Good communication and knowing how your role fits into the big picture can go a long way but how do you do that?

Want to understand how to use LinkedIn? Interested in improving your online presence in a way that doesn’t feel awkward or too time consuming? This online course with Tereza Litsa will get you started on how to use LinkedIn, its best practices, and everything you need to know to use it effectively for your role and objectives. As more users leave X (Twitter), LinkedIn offers an alternative for engaging in online conversations with individuals and organizations.

In partnership, SCVO and Challenges Catalyst are pleased to offer this introductory online project management course for the voluntary sector. The online content is designed for participants who want to understand the principles of project management, whether delivery is virtual or in the workplace.

This is an informal, peer-support session. The topic for the meet-up is social media. There’s been a lot going on, so there should be lots to talk about! It’s an opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others.

Whether you’re new to SCVO or you’ve been part of its membership community for a while, SCVO would love to see you at their membership welcome meeting, exclusively for SCVO members and supporters. Come along and learn about accessing and making the most of your membership benefits, chat with the SCVO team and ask questions, and connect with your fellow members and supporters.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

Been asked to write a report at work, but don’t know where to start? On completion of this online course, participants will be able to produce an effective and reader-friendly report, identify what to include and leave out of the report, use their time more productively to produce the report and have more confidence in their own role of reporter.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

This event is part of DTAS’s Facility Management guidance series which aims to help Community Organisations better manage their Community Facilities.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

This online course with Pamela Redpath will look at financial roles and responsibilities within a voluntary sector organisation, why you need financial information, how to use it and how it impacts on others. It can be studied as a standalone course or in conjunction with the other "All things financial" course Annual accounting, governance and reporting - book both courses, get 10% off the 2nd! *Watch out for the next course in this series going live soon.

Whether you’re new to SCVO or you’ve been part of its membership community for a while, SCVO would love to see you at their membership welcome meeting, exclusively for SCVO members and supporters. Come along and learn about accessing and making the most of your membership benefits, chat with the SCVO team and ask questions, and connect with your fellow members and supporters.

Why measure social impact? Every organisation can and should measure their social impact, especially in these uncertain times, because evaluation is key to securing both continued and future funding. Indeed, funding often depends on reporting your social impact clearly and concisely to funders who want to know their investment is making a real difference.

This course has been written for Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) to give a practical overview of Facilities Management. Delivered by external consultant Beth Goodyear, with over 24 years of experience managing buildings and teams.

The past few years have been stressful for everyone, particularly those working in management positions within charities, community groups and social enterprises. With increased demand and decreased resources, the pressure of managing staff, volunteers and services has left many middle managers feeling burnt out. This course looks at innovative ways to address this.

This course has been written for Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) to give a practical overview of Facilities Management. Delivered by external consultant Beth Goodyear, with over 24 years of experience managing buildings and teams.