South of Scotland Third Sector: A Partnership Approach to Covid-19 Response and Recovery Planning (August 2020)
This report is the result of analysis of a series of interviews with third sector organisations (TSOs) across the South of Scotland throughout May and June 2020, and a wider perspective gleaned through discussions with the sector and partners throughout the same period. The third sector interfaces (TSIs) across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders worked together to host the interviews with the purpose of identifying common themes and lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis.
These themes have been translated into seven key principles and recommendations to inform the collective approach of Scottish Government, local statutory partners and the sector itself as we move forward together in this era of ‘new normal’. The principles and recommendations aim to support and empower the third sector across the South of Scotland as it emerges from the immediate crisis, begins its recovery, and plays its key role in helping to build the South of Scotland’s wellbeing economy.
Two comments were made several times during the interviews:
There has been very positive partnership working during the Covid-19 crisis.
There is a hope that the positive partnership working will be sustained during the recovery period and beyond.
These comments underpin the principles and recommendations in the report.
