A PLEDGE by the First Minister to eradicate child poverty in Scotland has been welcomed by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG).
And they have called for investment in the sector’s work in communities to allow it to happen.
CEO Alan Webb says Scotland needed to recognise the potential and strengths of communities.
He also wants national steps such as: maximising family income, including increasing the Scottish Child Payment; delivering on the commitments to whole family wellbeing and support; and supporting access to sustainable, family friendly, and well-paid work.
Mr Webb flagged up that the third sector delivered many essential services and supports for local people, and that organisations in the sector were a vehicle for communities to “own, adapt and change” to meet their own needs.
He believes public services should be complementary to what communities can achieve themselves, with the right investment and support.
And with public services facing financial constraints, he says it’s time to think differently about their role in supporting and enabling.
Mr Webb added: “The third sector in Dumfries and Galloway is made up of almost 2000 organisations, the majority of which are local community groups.
“Combined with hundreds of small, medium and large charities, our sector’s reach is broad and the daily impact on people’s lives is often undiscovered and undervalued to those outside of our local communities.”
Chair of the board John Dougan added: “We extend an invitation to the First Minister to visit us here in Dumfries and Galloway and see for himself the incredible work being carried out in our communities right across the region.”
