Organised by Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL), this full-day event will unite community organisations, East Lothian Council, the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) and national partners under the theme Facing the Future—Together.

Taking place on Wednesday 12th November at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, the flagship conference will shine a light on the power of collaboration across sectors, disciplines and communities to build resilient, inclusive systems that meet local needs and support national priorities.

Eye-opening keynote conversations, interactive learning labs, engaging panel discussions and stories of lived experiences from East Lothian communities will illustrate how unity can drive better outcomes for all. 

The symposium will provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with peers, partners and policymakers, and explore key topics such as shared leadership, improved communication, conflict resolution and team development through real-world examples and practical tools.

Speaking ahead of the conference, VCEL Chief Officer Maureen Allan said; “Facing the Future—Together is a call to action. In the face of rising demand, constrained resources and increasing complexity, our strength lies in each other. This conference will bring together voices from the third sector, local government and health and social care to forge stronger partnerships, share good practice and learn new ways to communicate, collaborate and lead. Together, we are not just surviving change — we are shaping it.”

Registration for the 2025 VCEL Third Sector Conference is now open to representatives from third sector organisations, public services and local community groups. The event is free to attend but places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance at www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk. 

The event organisers expect more than 100 will attend and hope that by addressing the challenges of today, together they can build stronger, more resilient systems for tomorrow.