Highland Third Sector Representation

Tracy Connerton has worked in the employability sector for over 10 years, working in a variety of roles delivering a range of successful employability programmes.

Tracy is entering her 3rd year at ENABLE works– one of the three pillars of the ENABLE Group. Tracy is an Operations Manager and part of the senior leadership team leading one of the largest and most successful employment support teams in Scotland, employing 125 employees supporting more than 4,500 people who have learning disabilities or barriers to work to develop their employment skills.

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“As a past rep, I have been working collaboratively to ensure the vital work of the third sector is recognised and valued, including gathering information and evidence from other third sector organisations, and presenting it to the Committee itself. I feel we have raised the profile of the work of the third sector. Only by working together, listening and informing can we make the positive changes needed and for third sector to be equal partners to the strategic vision for Highland.”

“Having been a Youth Worker for 14 years (in a voluntary and paid capacity) and am currently the Youth Work Manager at Youth Highland, my experience of working with young people has enabled me to really hear their voices and support them to tackle the issues they face in a way that they feel safe and confident in doing so.  

I feel the Voluntary Youth Sector in the Highlands is currently under-represented, which is what I hope to change by being a representative on the Integrated Children's Services Board.”

“With my roles at both Thriving Families and Inspiring Young Voices I have a good grounding of the education context, including policy and legislation, and hear the voices of children, young people, and families. I am an active participant in the wider third sector, including the Children's Services Forum and Keeping Children Safe Reference Group where I meet lots of other people championing the rights and views of children and young people.”

Bio coming soon.

“I strongly believe in the strength of the Third Sector. It is vital that a strong voice is heard, and that voice should include people with lived experience. The Third Sector is the avenue for that voice to be included in community planning partnerships and wider policy and strategy discussions. If we are to have fairer, better, and more sustainable communities we must have a strong Third Sector Voices at the heart of community planning.”

“I am the Chief Officer of Youth Highland which is an umbrella organisation which supports a large network of voluntary youth groups and organisations across Highland. 

My role means that I have a good understanding of a wide range of organisations and the challenges they face and opportunities for growth. Youth Highland has led in the development of the Voluntary Youth Network and a shared plan for the delivery of voluntary youth work. This work has ensured the survival of voluntary youth work despite 100% budget cuts. I think I am in a good position to represent many organisations and groups, and the needs of young people."

“I have worked in and around the third sector for more than 20 years. 

Initially as a solicitor representing homeless and

vulnerable people, I went on set up a supported housing service and latterly specialised in putting third sector partnerships together to bid for and set up “whole person” projects, linking legal advice with client specific support needs and wellbeing. Part of this work included the use of social prescribing models.

My current role takes me throughout the Highlands

working closely with community led groups which will help me to deliver a strong Highland wide third sector voice into the Committee.”

“I have significant third sector experience in the provision of independent advocacy and a background in health care for over 25 years. Our focus is person-centred and rights-based in terms of values, and we understand how important it is for us to support and influence local health and social care strategy to maximise quality service provision.

Our links and engagement with stakeholders across the health and social care sectors in Scotland are strong and our 3yr strategy aims to further develop those partnerships. Our Senior Leadership Team are specialists in learning /physical disabilities, autism, ASL, ACE and trauma.”

“I have volunteered and worked in the mental health and wellbeing field for the last 26 years, most recently for 16 years in the Highlands. During that time, I have chaired the Highland Suicide Prevention steering group on two occasions (8 years in total) and represented that group on the Highland Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Group for the first two years of its life. My current roles in the Highland 3rd Sector include leadership roles in mental health & wellbeing at three organisations: Samaritans, Creativity in Care and Befrienders Highland. This is alongside other voluntary roles at Macmillan Cancer Support, White Ribbon Scotland, and

Diabetes Scotland.”

“I have worked in the third sector in Highland for 17 years now and have over 20 years of experience in working in mental health services both in Highland and prior to that in the NHS in London. 

I am currently CEO of Mikeysline, a grass roots mental health and suicide prevention charity, and am passionate about ensuring that the third sector voice and interests in relation to mental health and suicide prevention are represented and heard at wider partnership meetings. 

I feel that I could make a valid and important contribution on behalf of the third sector."