Scotland’s Towns Partnership is Scotland’s national towns’ collective; representing and promoting the diversity of our towns and places, and supporting those organisations and groups that have an interest in or ownership of them. Our role is to act as a hub for relevant news & resources, knowledge and good practice, to support learning and community through our events, to influence and share policies that impact towns and to raise the profile of Scottish towns.
Connection: Networking
Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action is an independent charity that aims to ensure that charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary groups are able to remain robust and resilient, delivering high quality services for the people of Dundee. It is also a part of Dundee’s Third Sector Interface. We provide a wide range of support to third sector organisations and have expertise in a wide range of skills and topics including governance, funding, legislation, policy, planning and problem solving to name just a few key areas.
The sole focus of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association is to support Scotland’s Shedders and their supporters to create sustainable and thriving Men’s Sheds in their communities across Scotland. If you need help, inspiration, or just a chat, you have come to the right place. The SMSA is not affiliated to any other UK Men’s Sheds Associations and works exclusively in Scotland as a registered Scottish charity, ‘In Scotland – For Scotland’. Our website has ample information to help you become part of the growing grass roots movement – become a member for free and gain access to our online resource library. We can also mail you information leaflets. We look forward to welcoming you to be a part of a life enhancing and thriving community!
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector. Our mission is to support, promote and develop a confident, sustainable voluntary sector in Scotland. We’re passionate about what the voluntary sector can achieve. Along with our community of 2,860 members and supporters, we believe that charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups make Scotland a better place.
Our Information Service is an online knowledge bank and enquiry service delivered by experts. We provide information, free resources and guidance for charities and voluntary organisations in Scotland.
Our experienced and knowledgeable Support Services teams can support you in delivering the core functions that keep your organisation running smoothly, including Managed I.T, Payroll, Office Space and HR.
Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using our free online search engine. From small grants to funding for big capital projects, we can help you track down the funding you need to make a difference in your community.
Our programme of webinars, training and events focuses on the topical issues affecting Scotland’s voluntary sector. Sessions cover volunteering challenges, funding, social impact, leadership skills and our book club on the best non-fiction addressing the sector.
Creative Lives is a registered charity that was established in 1991. We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring.
The Community Transport Association (CTA) is a national charity that represents and supports providers of community transport: thousands of local charities and community groups across the UK that all provide transport services that fulfil a social purpose and community benefit. We are for, and about, accessible and inclusive transport.
Our vision is of a world where people can shape and create their own accessible and inclusive transport solutions and our mission is to achieve this through championing accessible and inclusive transport, connecting people and ideas, and by strengthening our members and raising standards. We have 160+ members in Scotland and support them with advice, networking, policy work and anticipation of future challenges to the sector.
The Communities Housing Trust (CHT) is a registered charity and social enterprise focused on building sustainable rural communities across central and northern Scotland. With a reputation throughout Scotland for providing essential affordable housing and accompanying amenities, we work at the forefront of the sector to support community led development, addressing inequalities and the repopulation of under-served areas. Since 1998 we have worked on more than 120 community-led projects, often in remote, rural areas, to provide over 1000 crucial affordable homes and other amenities.
The Scottish Government has provided a time limited fund to assist self or custom builders finance the construction period for their new home. Due to the pandemic, the deadline has been extended to August 2022 with an additional £2 million being made available. Read more
Community-led housing is about local people playing a leading and fundamental role in solving their housing problems. It encompasses community groups, development trusts and cooperatives, and covers new build, self-build and the use of existing buildings. Read more
PAS is on a mission to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard in planning and placemaking. We offer a free, confidential and impartial advice service on planning issues, training on community engagement and the planning system, and support communities with developing action plans and place plans.
Circular Communities Scotland is a membership organisation dedicated to supporting the establishment of a circular economy in Scotland. We represent and support over 190 repair, reuse and recycling charities and social enterprises across the country. Our members prevent valuable products and materials from ending up in landfill, create local jobs, economic opportunities, and help promote and create social and environmental justice in
their communities.
PKAVS delivers the role of Third Sector Interface for Perth & Kinross, supporting, developing & representing community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprise & volunteering in P&K.
CVS Falkirk & District is recognised by Scottish Government and Falkirk Community Planning Partnership (CPP) as the third sector interface for the Falkirk area. We have a primary role in ensuring the continuation and development of a vibrant third sector (charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary groups etc) in Falkirk.
We work with existing social enterprises, and encourage individuals and organisations to be more socially enterprising, through a range of services, including but not limited to start up guidance, idea development, business planning, identifying funders, partnerships, legal and compliance issues, measuring social impact and tendering and procurement. We have a variety of local support options for social enterprises in Falkirk, who are familiar with the social enterprise model and can offer guidance on different subjects.
AVA is Aberdeenshire’s TSI, and our mission is to promote the growth of strong, resilient, communities in Aberdeenshire by connecting, supporting, and promoting volunteers, charities, community-led organisations, and social enterprises collectively referred to as the Third Sector. Funded by the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership, and our own Social Enterprise, Magpie (a reuse & recycling facility based in Banchory), the AVA team operates across the length & breadth of Aberdeenshire, supporting volunteers and organisations and social enterprises from Sandend and St Combs in the north, to Braemar in the west and Laurencekirk and St Cyrus in the south. AVA also runs the Aberdeenshire Social Enterprise Network
We bring together individuals and groups that have a stake in gardening, allotments and other communal growing aspects. We keep our members up to date with developments relating to this and engage in initiatives to develop wider involvement in growing spaces
The Heritage Trust Network is a membership organisation run by people who have delivered heritage projects. Our mission is to help others do the same. Though we operate throughout the UK, we have a strong Scottish presence. We draw together and support the work of community groups, whether constituted as building preservation trusts, heritage trusts or social enterprises. The network provides a platform for members by way of peer to peer support, knowledge sharing and skills development. Our guidance and advice helps groups through the life time of their project from start up to completion.
Organisation information here.
