Connecting Voices: Exploring Networks in Independent Advocacy
October 8 @ 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
SIAA’s Annual Conference 2025
This October, we warmly invite you to the SIAA’s Annual Conference titled “Connecting Voices: Exploring Networks in Independent Advocacy”.
It is a gathering of all 32 SIAA member organisations to reflect, connect, and shape the future of independent advocacy in Scotland. This year, we’ll focus on exploring the role of relationships in the independent advocacy sector – within and beyond our membership.
Together, we will:
- Recognise and celebrate the strengths and thriving relationships already present
- Reflect on the purpose of independent advocacy in a changing policy landscape
- Consider independence of advocacy, and how it interacts with collaboration and external partnerships
- Engage in horizon scanning to anticipate future challenges and opportunities
- Connect over a shared meal, and build new relationships across the network
We invite two representatives from each SIAA member organisation – this could be staff, trustees or other volunteers engaged in the organisations’ management. The conference is free to attend and a (nice) lunch will be provided.
We are very keen to ensure that every one of our 32 member organisations is present. If you foresee any barriers to participation, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We are fully committed to ensuring accessibility, and will support representatives of your organisation to attend in any way we can.
This year, the conference is co-organised and co-sponsored by Professor Mo Yan, whose Carnegie Trust-funded research is already engaging with a few member organisations. Mo will share her preliminary findings during the conference, offering insights into the sector’s current landscape and the role that relationships have in it.
We’re also excited to welcome Dr Will Shepherd, whose PhD research focused on innovation in statutory advocacy sector. Will will lead an ideation workshop, guiding us to collectively imagine new approaches.
Our venue this year is Civic House, a space operated by a community-oriented social enterprise. While it may be less formal than last year’s Trades Hall, we believe its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere will be conducive to meaningful conversations and collaboration.
To attend, please register via this form: https://airtable.com/appWjYIPGA2LZBZye/pag9I6OCi8RoHYCVZ/form
For alternative ways to sign up, please get in touch.
We can’t wait to connect with all of you!
