Change Mental Health

Day

Wednesday 11 February

Time slot

15:00-16:15

Room

Sidlaw auditorium
Wheelchair accessible

Contact

Jamie Grant

Topics

Leadership Impact & evaluation Policy

Overall aim

1. For participants to leave with a stronger understanding of how to embed policy and public affairs as core organisational functions, ensuring their voice and impact can be heard in an increasingly turbulent policy landscape.
2. To collect data on sector readiness and capacity in this space, in the run-up to the May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election.

Description

This high-level panel brings together expertise from across Scotland - spanning the third sector, politics, private industry and research - to explore why charities should invest in their policy and public affairs capacity.

Designed for CEOs, Directors and Board Members the session will challenge budget holders to strategically tailor their policy and public affairs approach to keep pace with developments, build strategic relationships and effectively tell their story of organisational impact.

The session will also offer best practice insights to support those already in roles covering aspects of policy and public affairs, sharing tools, approaches and equipping attendees with the arguments they need to win the case for bringing specialist capacity into their teams.

Attendees will learn more on influencing decision-makers at every level - from local councils and Integration Joint Boards to Cabinet Secretaries in the Scottish Government and Ministers in Westminster. The session will provide space to assess skills gaps and the readiness of the third sector to work effectively with policymakers ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Who is the event aimed at?

Directors, Influencers, Trustees

Who is speaking at this event?

To be announced