Leader Learning: SCVO's Partnership of the Year

About

A series of brief, focused online events where charity leaders hear directly from peers who are trying something new in their organisations. This session is only open to Charity Leadership Scotland members.

Join us for this Leader Learning session to explore the practical realities of partnership management via the lens of the ‘Time to Talk’ partnership, the 2026 SCVO Partnership of the Year winner. This innovative collaboration between five Edinburgh-based youth organisations successfully bridged the gap between community work and public health services. In this session, we will examine how leaders can build the resilience and clarity needed to partner effectively, even when navigating complex challenges.

Speaker for this Leader Learning Session:

Cara Spence, Director at The Junction. Cara leads The Junction, an award-winning organisation that supports young people to thrive in North East Edinburgh. Cara has an overview of all activities relating to The Junction. She provides support to senior level staff and engages directly with the Board of Trustees and funders.

About the ‘Time to Talk’ Partnership: Time to Talk supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing (aged 12 – 25) across the City of Edinburgh using youth work approaches. Supported by NHS Lothian, this service brings five youth and community organisations together from different geographical locations across the city for the first time, to deliver innovative work. Services include:

The Junction – www.the-junction.org
Granton Youth – www.grantonyouth.com
Wester Hailes Youth Agency – www.youthagency.co.uk
Canongate Youth – www.canongateyouth.org.uk
6VT Youth Café – www.6vt.info/lets_talk

This Project is funded by the Scottish Government’s Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, facilitated by City of Edinburgh Council and The Children’s Partnership.

Join this session to gain practical insights into:

Leading through the realities of partnership, balancing accountability to your own organisation with a genuine commitment to shared outcomes.
Building a shared vision across distinct organisations and geographies.
Navigating the power dynamics, trust, and cultural differences of partnership.

This session offers a space to share experience with peers, challenge assumptions, and gain actionable lessons on leading with the courage required to achieve shared success.

This event is only open to leaders of Scottish voluntary sector organisations.