Podium

ROBERT ARMOUR discovers that forward thinking third sector bodies are improving the skills of existing staff

Are we doing enough to help our colleagues find their way asks Shirley Grieve

Human rights and personalisation are the same thing writes Henry Simmons

Opening up the school estate is reaping rewards for communities

As champions of local democracy, the third sector must fight to be heard

With public interest in local elections at its lowest ever, is it time for change? ON St Valentine’s Day, Fife’s Third Sector Strategy group hosted a unique event entitled “With Love and Power”. From the outset, delegates knew this wasn’t going to be the average conference – the tables were festooned with heart decorations, the

Can our current economic gloom be a catalyst for real change asks Ruchir Shah

LAST month saw YouthLink Scotland’s Youth Worker of the Year Awards take place.

Dominic Notarangelo, Chair of Citizens Advice Scotland, questions how value is achieved through tendering

Kony video raises the spectre of unintended harm in development argues Catherine Street

Barbara Hurst, Director of performance audit, Audit Scotland, examines the impacts of social care commissioning practices

The Prince’s Trust merger with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust will create opportunities for young Scots, says Heather Gray

Scotland’s 16 and 17 year olds should have the right to vote on independence

Public service reform must put outcomes before self interest, argues Derek Mackay

BIG Scotland has created an oasis of funding for existing grant holders

Martin Sime highlights why the third sector’s role in the independence debate matters

Can health and social care partnerships overcome the barriers to integration

Scotland needs to be honest about its failings investigating racial attacks

Alison Elliot kicks off TFN’s Big Public Service Debate with a look at public services

Pressures on the sector demand new ways of working, says Des Ryan

There’s much to celebrate for International Human Rights Day 2011 says Professor Alan Miller

Clare Simpson explains the need for a National Parenting Strategy

Norman Mckinley turns the heat up on communities as UK faces third year of extreme winter weather

Lexi Barnett on what to expect from the UN Climate talks in Durban

But a strong mental health strategy could make a huge difference, says Carolyn Roberts

Excellence is not optional for the voluntary sector, according to Dave Bradley

Young people can prosper with the help of the third sector, says Heather Gray

It’s time to move from idealism into pragmatism, says Martyn Evans

Future Change Funds need to be managed better argues John Downie

We can all be role model for leadership

Theresa Shearer says Enable Scotland is fit for the personalisation agenda

Be efficient and collaborate says Keith Legge

The third sector needs to turn policy into practice, says YMCA chief executive Peter Crory

Partnership is key to adapting to change in social care markets, says Martin Cawley

The third sector’s battle to do things differently is not yet won, says Martin Sime

Laurie Russell examines the third sector’s role in tackling unemployment

English riots can prove to be catalyst for positive change, says Jim Sweeney

Aid agencies need to work in partnership to seek solutions, says Norman McKinley

Can Scottish communities clinch a starring role, asks Andy Milne

Dame Anne Owers asks do public service contracts impact on third sector independence

Half of all befriending projects did not have guaranteed funding beyond the end of the year

Steve White remains hopeful despite MBHA being the focus of the unfounded media speculation

Geoff Mawdsley highlights the need for a strong plan to improve public services

Alison Elliot reflects on what the Christie Commission means for the third sector

Three people, three stories, three lives changed by working on street papers

What can Scotland learn from the founder of co-production

Supported self-help is the only way to reduce demand for care, says Martin Sime

Jim Sweeney argues for Scotland’s world class community education courses

The 3rd sector – more talked about, more required & winning the arguments more than ever before

Is the third sector doomed to become low cost

Is cutting red tape an excuse to water down equalities laws

Martin Sime speculates on what may follow Scotland’s visit to the polls on Thursday 5 May

Delia Hendry debates whether Scotland can keep ignoring the Big Society

Cuts to grants for adaptations to social housing is a step too far according to Steve White.

Auditor general Robert Black on the importance of leadership in the third sector

“If you are cutting budgets, how can people live independently and have their full human rights?”

The third sector will have to give up its own sacred cows to ensure public service reform

Carole Ewart explains why the issue of human rights is so important to the third sector

THE third sector manifesto is clear that the sector offers solutions for a more successful Scotland.

Students from across Scotland gather in Irvine to determine new leadership of the

By David Griffiths SPOT the odd one out: care packages, disability related benefits and allowances, the Independent Living Fund, airguns. The provision of care and support for the most vulnerable people in our society has to be one of the most important responsibilities for society in general. I am aware that there is a genuine

Helen Hunter, services director at Quamiers, discusses issues around reforming