News

A regional advice service has responded to a funding cut in the latest local authority approved budget by predicting £2million less will go back into the public’s pockets in Dumfries and Galloway in the next year. Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service will be hit by a 20 per cent reduction in its budget from… Read more »

An innovative new digital platform designed to transform collaboration across the third sector in Dumfries and Galloway is set to be developed through a strategic partnership between South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG). The initiative forms part of DGCollective, the sector-owned approach to collaboration for better outcomes across the… Read more »

Dumfries-founded charity Food Train has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan amid mounting concerns about malnutrition among older people. It hopes to grow the number of local authority areas across Scotland in which it has branches from nine to 18 – taking the total number of over-65s that it supports to tackle malnutrition and loneliness to… Read more »

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Regionwide Community Fund is looking for independent members to sit on the Fund’s management committee. The Fund is going into its seventh year and will be distributing over £120,000 annually to community benefit projects in the region. The committee is responsible for assessing applications to award funding as well as reviewing… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway has welcomed the announcement made this week by the Scottish Government on development of a new third sector partnership, whilst sounding caution that design of a new agreement should not stop progress on Fair Funding, sector investment and a more strategic role in delivering reform and impact for our communities…. Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway’s CEO, Alan Webb, has responded to the Scottish Government’s proposed spending and tax plans for 2026-27 published this week.  He said: “We welcome much of today’s budget, including further action on tackling poverty, inequalities, and whole family support. It’s also welcome to see particular focus on the role of our… Read more »

By Alan Webb, CEO Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway As we enter a new year (Happy New Year), the pressure and the intensity of focus on money, people and services ramp up for many across our sector approaching the financial threshold of April. It has been this way for decades, but could we help each… Read more »

Are you passionate about community led local development? Are you interested in contributing to the future delivery of the Community Led Local Development Fund (CLLD)? Do you have skills in expertise in any of these areas? Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, as the Accountable Body for CLLD delivery are looking for new members to join… Read more »

A STRONG commitment to long-term partnership with the third sector has been reaffirmed this week — as plans are set out to strengthen how advice, support and care services delivered in communities are commissioned. The Integration Joint Board (IJB) heard plans to bring third sector organisations together through a Strategic Alliance, creating a single, shared… Read more »

Our weekly Funding Bulletin is coming to an end. Instead, you can now access funding opportunities whenever you need through our free-to-use Funding Finder tool, which allows you to search at a time and frequency to suit and for funds relevant to your organisation. You can access the Funding Finder here:https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/tsdgfundingfinder Updates on selected local… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) hosted Empowering Pathways, a regional forum aiming to strengthen employability through collaboration across the region. The event brought together third sector organisations, community groups, DG Works, local authority representatives and national partners to consider how to improve employability and community wellbeing in the area. A clear message was highlighted:… Read more »

From CEO Alan Webb “Just last week, we gave evidence in the Scottish Parliament about tackling inequalities in rural Scotland, from the availability and costs of transport to limited digital connection, the cost of living in terms of food, fuel and household bills and services being hard to access for too many. “There was therefore… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway’s board chair John Dougan has stepped down from his role after serving his full term. John, who is also CEO of Relationship Scotland Dumfries and Galloway, led his final AGM before leaving the board. He said: “As I step down from my role as Chair of Third Sector Dumfries and… Read more »

The transformation of a historic harbour has been backed by a seven-figure investment by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). SOSE’s £1.2million grant is part of an overall £15.65m redevelopment of Annan Harbour, which will aim to reinvigorate the area for the benefit of local people, and bring thousands more visitors to the Dumfriesshire town. The… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) has today made its submission to the Dumfries and Galloway Council budget consultation process. A key aspect of the submission is the need for collective leadership and collaboration whilst ensuring there isn’t a withdrawal or extraction from communities to maintain systems and existing ways of working. Alan Webb, Chief… Read more »

THIRTY-FIVE community projects across Dumfries and Galloway are sharing almost £500,000 in the latest round of a Scottish Government funding programme. The organisations successfully applied to Round Four of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund. A total investment of £414,409 in capital and £83,537 in revenue was provided by the fund. Newstart Recycle in… Read more »

Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) is facing the possibility of losing all of its funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council. It is one of a number of options being considered in a new local authority budget consultation that will impact on the third sector across the region. The budget consultation can be… Read more »

Scotland’s Health and Social Care Secretary joined a group of older people for lunch to see how a pop-up cafe is playing its part in tackling malnutrition and loneliness. Neil Gray visited Food Train’s community hub in Dumfries town centre on Wednesday, where a group aged 65 and over gather for a chat and a… Read more »

A NEW manager has been appointed at a busy locally-based charity providing vital support to carers and those they look after living at home. Lorraine Walker takes over the helm at Crossroads (Annandale and Eskdale) at a time demand for the service provided has never been greater. The married mother-of-three from Annan, who was previously… Read more »

From Alan Webb, CEO of Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway Further to my update in April 2025 on the pressures facing our public sector partners, we have continued to work closely with colleagues on the transformation that’s needed in public service delivery, and the importance of recognising the value and impact of our third sector… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) is inviting nominations for new trustees to join our Board ahead of our Annual General Meeting in November. As the third sector interface for Dumfries and Galloway, TSDG works to promote, support and develop a strong third sector and to ensure that its voice is heard in community planning… Read more »

Dumfries and Galloway Council will launch its Budget Consultation 2026/27 in mid-October, inviting residents, staff and partners to share their views on how the council should respond nationwide financial challenges. Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway is inviting the sector to highlight key themes or asks now to be shared in a sector response when the… Read more »

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults is now open for its fifth round of applications in Dumfries and Galloway. A total of £439,150 has been made available by the Scottish Government to support grassroots groups and organisations across the region in delivering initiatives that enhance mental wellbeing, reduce inequalities and strengthen community… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) has revealed a new social enterprise team to help enhance the contribution of the sector to the economic development of the region. The team will work to embed Community Wealth Building principles, strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem, and ensure the voice of local organisations is represented in decision-making processes…. Read more »

Communities across Dumfries and Galloway are set to benefit from significant new investment as part of the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, with over £245,000 allocated to seven local regeneration projects. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has confirmed that more than £2.5 million will be distributed in 2025-26 to continue supporting 62 organisations and begin… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) welcomed organisations, community groups, and individuals this week to a special event — offering a unique opportunity to discover the wide range of free support and services available to the region’s third sector. The first of a series of events, Meet Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway began with a… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) has today launched an innovative new online platform aimed at helping third sector organisations across the region identify and access vital funding opportunities. The TSDG Funding Finder, available now at https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/tsdgfundingfinder, is a powerful, free-to-use tool tailored specifically to meet the needs of charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, and… Read more »

A major boost in the search for funding is on its way for the third sector in Dumfries and Galloway. Starting next month, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway is launching an exciting new tool designed to supercharge your search for funding: the TSDG Funding Finder – a free, easy-to-use grant portal. Whether you’re a community… Read more »

NHS Dumfries and Galloway Charity are launching their annual grant programme with applications being invited from local third sector and community organisations that provide a service or support to our Health Board. Grant applications are invited up to and including £5,000. Your application should provide evidence as to why the funding is needed and also… Read more »

Momentum is building behind DGCollective — a bold, sector-led concept being developed by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway to establish a collective and collaborative approach to third sector leadership across the region. The core ambition of DGCollective is to unite the sector in addressing shared challenges, seizing emerging opportunities, and harnessing its collective strength for… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway welcomes the publication of Scotland’s Population Health Framework 2025-2035 and, in particular, a recognition of the vital role played by the community and voluntary sector in creating the conditions for good health and wellbeing. This framework must mark a turning point, at a time when poverty and inequalities – including… Read more »

Dumfries and Galloway Council is joining the UK-wide celebration of Volunteers’ Week 2025 — dedicated to recognising the power of volunteering and the people who make it happen. Across the region, over 800 incredible volunteers are helping to power council services — from inspiring young people and supporting local museums to keeping the countryside accessible… Read more »

A new initiative aimed at building stronger, more collaborative support for mental health across the region has held its launch meeting. Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway played host to the inaugural Mental Health Forum with 40 people attending to represent 27 organisations. The forum in Dumfries featured thought-provoking contributions from national and regional speakers, including… Read more »

Wigtown Book Festival volunteers are urging other people to seize the opportunity to be part of a fun, fulfilling and fantastic event. This is Volunteers’ Week (2-8 June) and the whole country is celebrating the people who give their time to help and support others – and also to highlight how rewarding volunteering can be…. Read more »

A new Third Sector Mental Health Forum is launching this month in Dumfries and Galloway. It will bring together third sector organisations, statutory partners, and independent sector providers to take a collaborative and collective approach to overcoming challenges in delivering mental health support across the region. The first forum – officially announced during Mental Health… Read more »

Message from Alan Webb, Chief Executive Officer, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway Colleagues You will not have missed the many months of conversations nationally and regionally about economic and real-term financial challenges facing the public sector. For our sector, this has felt like decades-long conversations where many have always been in a financially insecure space…. Read more »

Community transport and its importance to the south of Scotland has been highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on a visit to Dumfries and Galloway this week. Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) hosted Fiona Hyslop for a focussed discussion on the topic and its significant potential across the area. Joining them were colleagues… Read more »

Forty-one community projects across Dumfries and Galloway are sharing £440,157 to help tackle mental health and wellbeing. The successful applicants to the fourth round of the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund were selected through an independent scoring panel. The fund had received 110 applications asking for over £1.9million of support. Its ambition… Read more »

LOCALS have celebrated the news of Stranraer securing £3 million for its ambitious Place Plan. One of six projects to be given the green light is The Big Makeover which will see a number of interventions taking place to brighten the town. Starting in April this year and delivered over the course of the next… Read more »

The CatStrand Arts Centre, a hub for creativity and community in New Galloway, has reached a major sustainability milestone, transitioning its heating system entirely to renewable energy sources This transformation was made possible through funding from Local Energy Scotland’s CARES fund and the Scottish Government’s Community Led Local Development (CLLD) program, administered by the D&G… Read more »

The Scottish Government will continue to provide free Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) scheme membership to volunteers following a public consultation on fee waivers and discounts in 2024. The decision by Scottish Ministers recognises the vital role volunteers play in Scotland’s society with roles in care, health, sports, community and children’s recreational activities. Membership of… Read more »

Galloway Action Team (GAT) has been presented with the highest award a local voluntary organisation can achieve – The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Regarded as the MBE of the voluntary sector, the highly coveted award recognises the outstanding work carried out by the Stranraer-based volunteers throughout the community. Presenting the award, the Lord-Lieutenant for… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) is continuing to make the case for a third sector exemption to planned increases in employer’s National Insurance contributions (eNICs), in the face of the UK Government repeating a rejection of such a move. Alan Webb, TSDG’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), joined organisations such as SCVO and NCVO later… Read more »

Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) helped over 8,000 clients, putting £9.9 million back into their pockets and into the local economy in the last year. The charity’s revealed the figures for 2023-24 in their newly released annual report. Marsali Caig, D&G CAS Chair of the Board, said: “I think this really demonstrates… Read more »

Thirty-four projects across Dumfries and Galloway are sharing £407,015 of funding to help support communities and tackle the cost of living. Round three of the Community Led Local Development Fund saw a total of 103 applications asking for just under £2.2million. A Local Action Group (LAG) made up of representatives from the third, public, and… Read more »

The TSI Scotland Network is calling on Government to ensure communities and a sustainably funded third sector are at the heart of public service reform.  In advance of the Scottish budget on 4th December, the Network has four asks:- Ask 1: Invest in collaborative third sector delivery models to support public sector reform Ask 2: Fairer… Read more »

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway’s Chief Executive Officer has joined national criticism of the Chancellor’s response to a call for a third sector exemption to planned increases in National Insurance (NI) contributions. Alan Webb shared his disappointment after Rachel Reeves confirmed there would be no mitigations provided to deal with the increased cost. Both he… Read more »

The Galloway Action Team (GAT) has just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. GAT is one of only 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the whole of the UK to… Read more »

Wigtown Book Festival has won the title for the country’s most Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival at the annual Scottish Thistle Awards. The prestigious awards, organised by VisitScotland (with headline sponsor Johnstons of Elgin) are an annual celebration of innovation, collaboration and sheer excellence in the tourism and events sector. The organisers say that the… Read more »

The impact of a planned increase in employer’s National Insurance (NI) Contributions has prompted a call from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) to cap charity rates at the current level. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said employers will pay NI at a rate of 15 per cent on salaries above £5,000 from April, up from 13.8… Read more »