Gathering Hope 2026

Introducing the event

This is a brilliant opportunity to bring together third sector organisations from across Scotland for a day of connection, learning and shared action.

Gathering Hope 2026 will provide space for organisations working in suicide prevention, mental health, and community wellbeing to deepen relationships, strengthen collaboration, and explore what we can achieve together to prevent suicide in Scotland.

Last year’s event showed the power of bringing people together through inspiring presentations, meaningful peer-to-peer discussions, and rich conversation café sessions.

Throughout the day delegates were able to think about opportunities, challenges, and the importance of working collectively to create change.

This year, we will build on that learning, with a renewed focus on collaboration, practical action, and amplifying the voices of communities and people with lived and living experience.

Gathering Hope in 2025

To get a flavour of the previous Gathering Hope event in Clydebank (January 2025) watch this wrap up film.

It features people from some of the different organisations reflecting on their experiences of the day.

Sector-led presentations showcasing promising practice, lived experience-informed approaches, and innovative work happening across Scotland.

Conversation cafés based on priorities identified by the third sector, offering space for deep discussion, shared problem-solving, and identifying opportunities for joint action.

Networking and connection time to meet colleagues, strengthen partnerships, and widen your organisation’s reach.

Opportunities to influence future national work, including the development of Suicide Prevention Scotland’s delivery and action plans.

Here's what previous delegates have told us about this event:

Creates meaningful connections across the sector.

Provides space to reflect, learn and collaborate

Amplifies the voice of people with lived and living experience.

Supports shared understanding of challenges, priorities and opportunities.

Helps shape future national suicide prevention work.

On the day we will:

• Be thoughtful about our words and actions and ask participants and speakers to offer us feedback

• Talk about stigma and discrimination and offer ways for you to do the same, on your own terms

• Set up rooms so there is space for people's walking aids and wheelchairs and provide time to move around the venue between workshops and parts of the day

• Provide hearing loops throughout the events space

• Include clear descriptions of what to expect and the main content of workshops

• Have an open-door policy at all times, so you can join and leave when that works for you

• Offer quiet spaces to relax or take time out, away from the main agenda

• Have listening volunteers who will be able to spend time with you talking through anything that comes up through the event that you want to talk through or support you to give any feedback about the event

The Barracks Conference Centre in Stirling has:

• Step-free access throughout key spaces

• Accessible toilets on-site

• Signage and staff support available

If there is anything else we can do to help you attend on the day, please note this when you book your place - or contact angelaf@cosla.gov.uk to let us know.

We may be in touch with you directly to discuss your requests, but we will never ask for any proof or reasoning behind an access request.

You can request anything that will make your experience better and we will do our best to meet any requests.

For example, we could provide large print and audio versions of materials, British Sign Language interpretation, and captioning.

All requests will, of course, be kept private.

We do ask that these be made at least two weeks before the conference to allow us to put plans in place.

Pictured: The Barracks Conference Centre in Stirling

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