The third sector and the public sector must come together to eradicate child poverty

Scotland’s First Minister has made this one of his key government goals

The commitment to end child poverty must maximize the shared potential of the third sector and public services.

Alan Webb, chief executive of Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway’s (TSDG), said helping Scotland achieve what it needed was about recognizing the potential and strengths of communities.

He made the call after First Minister John Swinney said ending child poverty was the government’s most important goal.

Webb said the third sector had provided many vital services and support to local people, sharing insightful and trusting relationships with them.

As a result, organizations in this sector have been an incredible tool for communities to “own, adapt and change” to meet their own needs.

He added that public services should complement what communities can achieve on their own, with the right investment and support. Now, as public services face financial constraints, it is time to take a different look at their role in supporting and enabling, rather than maintaining, unsustainable service models.

Webb said: “The third sector in Dumfries and Galloway is made up of almost 2,000 organizations, the majority of which are local community groups.

“Combined with hundreds of small, medium and large charities, the reach of our sector is wide and its everyday impact on people’s lives is often undiscovered and unappreciated by those outside our local communities.”

It is time to maximize the shared potential and opportunities of the third sector and public services, but this required a shift in thinking, not just reform of public services.

In its newly released prospectus, TSDG set out its updated purpose to support people and communities in the region to thrive through a strong third sector, equal partnerships and ensuring equality, dignity, belonging and justice for all.

The CEO added that the third sector needs appropriate, long-term and sustainable investment and the trust it can provide.

This would require a shift in perspective to see the sector as an equal partner rather than secondary to others, and shifting power to where it had the greatest impact on challenges such as tackling inequalities, connectivity, health and wellbeing, the local economy and climate action.

“That’s why we have become clearer about our goals and influence, setting new ambitions,” Webb said. “We believe they are also key to helping the First Minister realize the Government’s ambitions.”

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway chairman John Dougan added: “We invite the First Minister to visit us here in Dumfries and Galloway and see first-hand the amazing work being done in our communities across the region. “