5th November 2025
9:00am - 3:30pm
Dumfries Baptist Church, Gillbrae Road, Dumfries DG1 3EJ
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ABOUT THE EVENT
Our annual conference for the third sector and communities across Dumfries and Galloway is back and bigger than ever.
The event once again features inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities to allow you to learn, connect and be energised.
We will be joined by local strategic partners and national voices to focus on both the big picture and regional context and discuss and discover how we can develop and collaborate together, while celebrating the incredible grassroots work happening across the region.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor Donna Hall CBE
Professor Hall was CEO of Wigan Council between 2011 and 2019, during which she led the development of The Wigan Deal, a partnership relationship with residents which achieved over £160 million of savings whilst improving outcomes by investing in neighbourhood teams and community and voluntary sectors; including an additional seven years of healthy life expectancy in wards with the most poverty.
She was awarded a CBE in 2009 for innovation in public service for her role in the national “Tell Us Once” bereavement project with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and was named Transformational Leader in the Northern Powerwomen Awards 2017, and has been described as a “public service pioneer” by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
She now chairs PossAbilities, a social enterprise supporting people with learning disabilities and is a NED at Mutual Ventures public service transformation consultancy. She was appointed as an Honorary Professor of Politics at the University of Manchester in 2019. Adopted as a child, she is passionate about children and families, person-centred public services and investing in local communities.
Dr Scott Jones
Dr Jones is Co-Director of Mind the Gap. The organisation was founded in 1995 and the original aim was to build local and international capacity for managing environmental conflicts, and to explore peace-building more broadly. Over the years, clients have requested other work, and it now delivers a wide range of research, consultancy, and bespoke training.
Dr Jones is a restoration ecologist who works as a facilitator, researcher and evaluator for the UN, governments, local authorities, central banks, businesses, research institutes and community groups. He has worked with many international development projects worldwide as project manager, advisor and evaluator, most recently in the Middle East, east and northeast Africa , continental Europe and the British Isles.
He is a trained counsellor and advanced coach (executive and life coaching) who has worked as a nurse and hospital manager; in public health; mother and child health; as a volunteer nurse and development worker in East African famines, and as a pilot after receiving a Royal Air Force scholarship.
WORKSHOPS
Building local prosperity: redirecting wealth and power for greatest benefit
Can we turn the tide for Dumfries and Galloway’s economy? In this dynamic workshop, you’ll explore bold, practical ways to keep wealth circulating locally – so that the benefits stay right here. From smarter procurement to investment strategies, discover how communities can take charge of their own economic future. Leave with fresh ideas, inspiring examples, and actions you can start using straight away to build a fairer, more resilient region.
Health and Wellbeing created in communities - our role in population health
Health doesn’t just happen in hospitals – it starts where we live, work, and connect. This workshop dives into how communities can take the lead in tackling the root causes of poor health after the launch of the national Population Health Framework. Consider how to build places where wellbeing is part of everyday life, and explore how collective action can create healthier futures for everyone.
Fair Funding and collective leadership - building a sustainable and investable future for our community sector
Fair Funding calls for more strategic and sustainable ways to invest in our sector and realise our shared ambitions for people and place. How can we work in different ways to build an investable sector, with a mixed funding model that helps us achieve impact for our communities and reduces competition and self-sustaining approaches. Learn from different experiences across the UK and start the groundwork for Dumfries and Galloway.
Discussion / Network Tables
There will be five discussion tables held covering different topics
TABLE ONE
Our sector’s role in economic development? Impact on people and place to inform the big investments.
TABLE TWO
Inspiring young voices in the third sector. How can the third sector attract young people to get involved in the sector, communities, and as young trustees.
TABLE THREE
Moving towards net zero – the challenges to overcome and the changes that can be made
TABLE FOUR
Sector leadership – investing in development of skills and talent across our sector to create future leaders
TABLE FIVE
How can community organisations support implementation of the Physical Activity Strategy by helping people connect and move more
GET INVOLVED
Place a free advert in our programme
This year, our programme doubles as a digital goodie bag — and we’d love for you to be part of it. Add your free advert and help us pack it with QR codes linking people straight to your events, discounts, offers, must-know info, and all the wow-factor things you do. It’s your chance to surprise, delight, and connect with our audience in a fresh, interactive way. Email conference@tsdg.org.uk for more.
Send us a video / tell your story
This year, we’re also giving you the chance to shine in our video showcase. Send us a short clip (max 3 minutes) where you share a story, highlight, or even a behind-the-scenes secret you’d love others to know about. Think of it as your moment to inspire, surprise, or delight our audience — and help make the conference experience even more memorable. Again email conference@tsdg.org.uk for how to create or send your video.
The conference is supported by
THIRD SECTOR DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway is the operating name of Dumfries and Galloway Third Sector Interface, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC043832, funded with support from the Scottish Government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership. We are a Living Wage, Disability Confident Committed and Fair Work employer and commit to Scotland’s Fair Work principles.
Contact
0300 303 8558
Monreith House, Crichton Business Park, Glencaple Road, Dumfries DG1 4ZZ