National Events and Conferences

Link to events list on Rural Gateway

May

Argyll and Bute Advice Network on Islay

DROP IN FOR A DEMO ON 27th MAY 1pm – 5pm
SEE HOW ABAN CAN HELP YOU GET YOUR CLIENTS SERVICES THEY NEED
For NHS, Argyll and Bute Council, voluntary sector staff & volunteers
TRAINING SESSIONS also, 27th& 28th May, 10am–1pm, see below

Visit our website to learn more www.argyllandbuteadvice.net

The Islay and Jura Council of Voluntary Service and the Argyll and Bute Advice Network are holding workshops for volunteers about the new on line referral service being offered on Islay. While this is not a substitute for an advice and information service like the one which previously operated on the island, it is a start to being able to offer help to the many people who are seeking support with a range of financial and other problems.  It is hoped that this will provide enough evidence for the Council to offer a fuller service on the island again.
Yvonne O'Donnell, CVS Director who is leading the development of new services said:
'This is one strand of what we want to do.  I will also be having discussions with Citizens Advice in Argyll so that an accredited service can be started again later this year probably using volunteers at first but hopefully seeing a more formalised arrangement with Citizens Advice growing and developing.'

TRAINING for volunteers is taking place at Argyll College, and any other people interested should contact Yvonne or John Davidson at the CVS or turn up; Argyll College, Bowmore 27th and 28th of May 10 am prompt to 1.00 pm

DROP IN SESSION for anyone else who might be interested in seeing ABAN and having a demonstration on a 'try it and see' basis  27th from 1pm to 5pm.

Anyone from a voluntary organisation or Council or NHS staff is welcome to come along and test out the facility.

June

The Gathering 2008 Scotland’s Voluntary Sector Fair

Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, 19th and 20th June 2008
The gathering is Scotland’s charity and voluntary sector event. It brings together voluntary sector staff, volunteers, community activists and is the largest event of its kind in the entire UK. The gathering 2006 for the first time ran back-to-back with the CIVICUS World Assembly and there were around 5,000 delegates and visitors at the events over the week. In 2007, both events ran simultaneously over a four-day period creating a bigger impact, greater networking opportunities and more chances for organisations and companies alike to be a part of a truly global voluntary sector event. This years event intends to have more visitors, events and media coverage than ever before. The new programme of events will be posted on the website - please check back soon for updates. For more information, please visit www.gatherscotland.org.uk

September

National Regeneration Convention 2008 "Building Successful Communities"

15th–17th September 2008, Glasgow
The Convention is a major national event attracting around 500 delegates. It brings together neighbourhoods, regeneration partnerships, local authorities and others involved in regeneration at local, regional and national levels. And is organised by the UK Royal Town Planning Institute
on behalf of a consortium of agencies including Communities Scotland/Scottish Government, the Department for Communities and Local Government in England, the Department for Social Development Northern Ireland, Communities First Wales, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
The Convention aims to:
 bring together professionals and communities involved in neighbourhood renewal
 raise awareness of each Government's evolving neighbourhood regeneration/renewal policies and support the wide range of regeneration practitioners who have responsibility for implementing these
 bring together people and organisations from across the UK to compare and contrast the different approaches being tried in all 4 UK countries;
 provide an opportunity for communities and neighbourhoods to help develop policy and
 practice alongside policy makers and professionals
The previous 8 events have all been in England. The Scottish Government is delighted to have reached agreement with partners that the event should now come to Scotland.
The programme will look at the following sub themes:
 Empowering communities - assets, power, partnership, skills
 Connecting the mainstream - shaping places, local economies, accessing jobs, mainstream agencies
 Diversity in regeneration - youth, faith, culture, immigration, class (exploring barriers as well as commonalities and meeting points)Each day will include plenary presentations from policy makers, academics, regeneration practitioners and community/voluntary projects from across the UK.
Visits will take place on the morning of day 2 to communities across Glasgow where regeneration is underway or has been undertaken.
There will also be a dinner and entertainment on the evening of day 2, involving a ceilidh band and other entertainment by Glasgow/Scottish based community arts and cultural groups.
If you would like to attend the Convention, please contact Anna Stansfield, Scottish Centre for Regeneration, Highlander House, 58 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 7DA or telephone (0141) 271 3735 or e-mail anna.stansfield@scotland.gsi.gov.uk