Every year, the season shifts — and with it, so does the shape of our work. Icy roads. Empty cupboards. Cold houses. Quiet phones that suddenly won’t stop ringing.
This isn’t about “winter pressures.” It’s about noticing the patterns before they peak. It’s about the small signs, the quiet fixes, the way communities brace, bend, and sometimes brilliantly hold.
Join us as we explore what it means to face seasonal challenges with calm, with connection, and with community at the centre. We’ll gather stories, spark ideas, and map out how the third sector keeps Dumfries and Galloway steady — even when the seasons are not.
It’s not just about surviving winter. It’s about preparing differently, together.
As usual we will have guest speakers from both the third sector and statutory sector, organisation updates, spotlights and our usual tea, coffee, biscuits and networking afterwards. Agenda to follow shortly.
We would be delighted to share any organisation updates at the forum, please forward these to health@tsdg.org.uk Also, if you are interested in holding a stall at the forum to promote your services and/or upcoming events, please also email health@tsdg.org.uk.
Agenda:
Welcome and introductions
Feedback from previous forum
Speaker 1
Table Talks
break
Getting to know you
Speaker 2
Organisational Spotlight
Updates
Network
The forum:
- Provides a safe space for information sharing and discussion.
- Promotes networking between third sector organisations.
- Allows identification of key challenges and issues faced by the sector.
- Promotes sharing of learning and best practice, from both local and national level.
- Allows the third sector to influence the development of strategy and policy at local level.
- Allows direct access with third sector organisations for consultation and engagement.
- Builds capacity through training.
- Encourages and promote collaborative working.
This session is for anyone working or volunteering in the third sector who feels the weight of seasonal challenges — whether that’s managing increased demand, navigating rural logistics, supporting staff and volunteers, or trying to stay connected with overstretched services.