Scottish Government website
Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations
A Charity Registered in Scotland SC013885 and Company Limited by Guarantee SC0177372
Tigh Lisigarry, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye. IV51 9ER
Skye & Lochalsh Third Sector Conference 2025
​​Portree Community Centre March 26th 2025
​
Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO) hosted a third sector conference on the 26th March 2025 to showcase third sector innovation, discuss community priorities, identify third sector challenges and highlight collaborative approaches. The event was attended by 73 people of which 76% were from the third sector and 24% from the public sector. Event feedback shows an appetite for ongoing similar activities to build momentum and connection across the local third sector and with the public sector.
​
Key Highlights:​
-
Workshops & Facilitated Sessions:
Participants had 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 showcased 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 provided a unique opportunity for attendees to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the future of rural services.​
​​
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Skye and Lochalsh Third Sector Conference provided a powerful platform for sharing challenges, celebrating achievements, and shaping a more inclusive, collaborative future for health, wellbeing, welfare, and social care services. It clearly demonstrated that while the third sector continues to face persistent systemic pressures—such as short-term funding, limited capacity, and increasing demand—it also holds significant potential to drive meaningful, community-led change.
The energy, insights, and willingness to collaborate displayed during the event offer a strong foundation for ongoing work. The key now is to translate this momentum into sustained action and tangible outcomes.
​​​​​
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported and helped make the conference day a success – we couldn’t have done it without you!
-
Harry Tedstone from Highland Hospice for his key note speech about innovation
-
Kyleakin Connections for their talk about their innovative till and service process at their Nice Cafe
-
Xcel Church for their presentation about their new addictions support survey The Keys Project
-
Dunvegan Community Trust for their talk about how they are engaging with their community
-
Highland Council funding team for their workshop on funding
-
DTAS for their workshop on Community Assets
-
Relish for a great lunch and refreshments throughout the day
-
Sara Musolino Trenchar for capturing the day through photographs
-
Sidney and Stuart Mills for setting up
-
SLCVO Directors who helped through the day with tables, posters and support of staff
-
Seall for hire of their audio equipment
Funders
​
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund SLCVO Unrestricted Reserves and Community Regeneration Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.’ For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
