The Election: Making Space for Voluntary Sector Voices

27th April 2026

In the run-up to the Scottish Elections on May 7th, voluntary sector organisations across Glasgow came together to do something both simple and powerful: create space for honest discussion about what communities need, and ensure those messages are heard by the people seeking to represent them.

We hosted an Alternative Election Event, bringing together representatives from organisations alongside local election candidates from parties with elected representatives. Rather than a traditional hustings, the event centred the voices of the sector itself. We heard directly from frontline charity leaders about the realities people and communities across the city face.

This blog shares a summary of the discussions, the shared policy asks that emerged, and the actions we can all take to strengthen the sector’s collective ,powerful voice as we head to the polling stations.

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What we heard from the voluntary sector

Three charity leaders opened the event by speaking about their vital work supporting people and families across Glasgow. Their contributions grounded the conversation in lived experience and highlighted the growing pressures facing communities – from harrowing cases of rising poverty and mental health challenges to workforce insecurity and shrinking resources.

Despite differences in focus and service delivery, there was strong agreement in the room: the voluntary sector is a vital part of Scotland’s social infrastructure. Its future must be secured if we are serious about tackling inequality, preventing crises, and improving outcomes for everyone.

Participants worked together to identify a set of shared policy asks, reflecting not just organisational priorities, but the voices and experiences of the people charities support.

The shared policy asks

The following asks were agreed collectively at the event and were later shared with political leaders:

1. Investment in community support that prevents crisis and enables people to live well.
2. New approaches to taxation to generate the resources needed for prevention and investment in public and voluntary sector services.
3. Fair, multi‑year, stable funding for the voluntary sector, enabling fair work, good conditions, and sustainable services.
4. Urgent action on poverty, recognising its deep and widening impacts on individuals, families, and communities.
5. Meaningful involvement of people and the voluntary sector in shaping the policies and legislation that affect them.
6. A shift away from short-termism. Less focus on the next election and greater focus on long-term outcomes for every citizen.

Alongside these structural asks, frontline organisations spoke powerfully about issues requiring immediate attention, including:

• The safety of women in all aspects of daily life, and the disproportionate impact of cuts to public services and social security.
• Investment in active travel, as part of a fair and inclusive response to the climate crisis.
• Challenging harmful political rhetoric that targets already-stigmatised groups, including disabled people, asylum seekers and refugees, and people claiming social security.
• Cross‑government and cross‑sector action to address the mental health crisis and strengthen suicide prevention.

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Rebuilding trust in politics and democracy

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the erosion of trust in politics, politicians, and democratic processes. Participants were clear that this mistrust cannot be addressed through words alone – it requires action, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to listening.

The voluntary sector has a critical role to play here. Organisations are rooted in communities, trusted by the people they support, and deeply knowledgeable about what works and what doesn’t. When these voices are ignored, policy fails. When they are included, better outcomes are possible.

Despite rising demand, financial insecurity, and workforce pressures, the sector remains committed to working with elected representatives and the next Scottish Government to rebuild hope, trust, and confidence in local services and democracy.

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Our role – and yours

As GCVS, our role is to create and protect spaces where voluntary sector voices can be heard, connected, and amplified. Hosting the Alternative Election Event was one way of doing that. Ensuring that frontline experience was not an afterthought, but the starting point for political discussion.

Following the event, we have written to party leaders on behalf of voluntary sector organisations in Glasgow. In our letter, we shared the agreed asks and stressed the importance of respecting, valuing, and supporting the sector after the election.

But this is not the end of the conversation.

We know that different organisations, communities, and service users will have their own priorities and perspectives. We want to help ensure those are heard too.

Call to action

• 🎥 Watch and share the short video from the event, capturing the spirit of the discussions and the collective strength of the sector.
• 🗣️ Tell us your asks. What do you want political leaders to hear from your organisation or the people you support?
• 📣 Use your voice. Share your priorities with candidates, elected representatives, and networks – and let us know how we can support you to do that.
• 🤝 Get involved in future opportunities to shape conversations, influence policy, and strengthen the collective voice of Glasgow’s voluntary sector. Not a member? Join us here

Together, we can ensure that the contributions, expertise, and values of the voluntary sector are recognised – not just during election campaigns, but in the decisions that follow.

GCVS, on behalf of voluntary sector organisations in Glasgow.

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A big thanks to member representatives who joined us as guest speakers:

Dale Todd, Courtyard Pantry Enterprise

Shgufta Anwar, Women on Wheels

Ann Jones, Mental Health Network

This content was written by our team, with AI tools used only to support review and refinement.