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Showcasing Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Online

Showcasing Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Online




Supporting Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.

Showcasing Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Online

Showcasing Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Online

Plan your visit

The Gathering is the largest free voluntary sector event in the UK. This year the Gathering is taking place in Edinburgh on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 November 2023 and the Gathering Extra takes place online on 29 November 2023. On this page you'll find all the practical information you need to plan your visit. 

About the venue and getting to the Gathering

The Gathering is being held at EICC in Edinburgh. The address is 150 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EE. View location on Google Maps.  

We’ve chosen the EICC because it has good transport links. Please use public transport, walking, cycling or wheeling to get to venue if you can. If you’re travelling from out with Edinburgh and public transport is not an option for you perhaps consider car sharing with other organisations from your local area.

If travel to Edinburgh is not an option for you, we’ve introduced the Gathering Extra, so you can catch up on the most popular sessions from the comfort of your own home online on 29 November.

Visit the EICC website where you can find lots of helpful information including how to get there and on-site facilities, including free WiFi for all visitors, helping you stay connected throughout your visit to the Gathering.

Planning your time at the Gathering

Before the Gathering, head to your My SCVO account to:

  • View your bookings, check event timings and event details​​​​​​
  • Sign up for more events if you fancy squeezing even more into your day(s)​​​​​​
  • Cancel a booking for any sessions you won't be able to attend

When you arrive at the Gathering, please make your way to the main registration desk where you’ll be given a copy of the Gathering guide with everything you need to know, and a name badge. 

If you're planning on heading along to our exhibition, the opening times are as follows:

Tuesday 7 November - 9am to 4pm
Wednesday 8 November - 9am to 3pm

Catering

Cash catering is available throughout the venue and will be exclusively vegetarian, but you are also welcome to bring your own food.

Don't forget to bring along your own reusable cups and water bottles too to help us make it a Greener Gathering!

An accessible and inclusive Gathering

We want the Gathering 2023 to be accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. We are applying a range of accessibility measures as standard. And we warmly invite you to tell us about your needs so we can address those too wherever possible.

You can tell us about your accessibility needs when you book to attend the Gathering or by emailing our Gathering team. Bookings for the Gathering are now open - you can book here.

Learn more about an accessible and inclusive Gathering

Venue accessibility 

The EICC is a fully-accessible events venue, designed to be inclusive to people of all abilities. 

You can find all of the EICC’s accessibility information here, including information about accessible travel options, accessible parking, access to lifts, toilet facilities, and their Autism Friendly Visitors Guide. You can also view venue layout maps and take a virtual tour ahead of your visit.  

If you need any other information or help at any stage, please get in touch and let us know - we're happy to help.  

Staying in Edinburgh

There are lots of accommodation options to choose from in Edinburgh, so we’ve teamed up with Conference Care to help you with your search! Use this link to browse hotels with the best availability and rates for attending the Gathering and find accommodation that suits your needs.

Being sustainable with a greener Gathering

SCVO is committed to making the Gathering greener, to help us reduce our carbon footprint and to take positive climate action.

With that in mind, we're making a number of actions to make this year's event a greener Gathering.

Learn more about making the Gathering greener

Catch up online at the Gathering Extra

Keeping everyone safe this winter is important to us, so if you're not feeling well we ask that you consider not attending the Gathering in-person. Don't worry - you can catch up on what you miss at the Gathering Extra online on 29 November!

Get in touch

Got a question about your visiting the Gathering? Contact our team at thegathering@scvo.scot.

 
Brought to you by
SCVO
Platinum sponsor
Keegan & Pennykid
Gold sponsors
AAB
The Access Group
CCLA
Social Print & Copy
Vodafone Business
Strategic partners
ACOSVO
 
Social Enterprise Scotland
 
Volunteer Scotland
 
Local host partner
EVOC