Corra Foundation’s second Change Convention took place on Thursday 28th March in Edinburgh, exploring the role of voice to challenge power and create change. The full evaluation report will follow shortly along with considering how to continue dialogue and momentum from the day.
Jolene Woodhouse is Chair Person of Dunterlie Baby and Toddler Group, sits on the Dunterlie Planning Group, and is also involved with the Dunterlie Schools Holiday Partnership comprising local schools and third sector organisations. Jolene is a community member and volunteer in Dunterlie, one of the communities Corra Foundation is working alongside as part of the People in Place programme. Here she reflects on the day.
My experience at Corra Foundation’s Change Convention.
What made me sign up to attend Corra Foundation’s Change Convention? Curiosity. It’s intriguing to get a behind the scenes insight into grant funding alongside learning more about the many fantastic third sector organisations across the UK.
As the first conference I’ve attended – I was apprehensive if this was the right place for me to be. Sometimes, the language and jargon used feels alien to our experiences on the ground. But the Change Convention was an opportunity to go past the suits and to hear individual stories. Hearing other peoples’ experiences and stories was a real highlight.
“The Change Convention was an opportunity to go past the suits and to hear individual stories. Hearing other peoples’ experiences and stories was a real highlight.”
The conference opened with a presentation from young people representing PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) – it’s great that young people were involved. I would like to see the same opportunities for young people in Dunterlie. Ruth Ibegbuna’s work with young people in Manchester also really resonated with my experiences working with young people in Dunterlie. It doesn’t matter where you are from and what your background is – everyone wants and should be treated the same.
During lunch, we met David from Venture Scotland who went from being a volunteer to CEO of the organisation. It’s amazing to meet people like this. It sparked an idea for me to plan personal development opportunities for people aged 30+ providing a place for people to get together and talk.
Across the past year I’ve become increasingly involved in Dunterlie Resource Centre working alongside other volunteers, organisations, and Corra’s Community Coordinator. Being part of this wider network and the new experiences it has brought, has built my confidence and I’m excited to have just applied for an HNC in Childcare!
If you ever see a conference with exciting speakers, jump at the chance. You’ll find someone to speak to in the breaks and its important there are voices from across Scotland helping different experiences be heard.
