Member Support
As a membership organisation, DTAS’ member support service is at the core of what we do. Our goal is to deliver a high-quality support service to advise, equip and help communities to thrive.
Our dedicated Development Officers provide advice and support for communities throughout their journey, from start-up onwards. By phone, email, video or face-to-face interactions, our Development Officers listen to our members and strive to identify solutions, whether that be on governance, business planning, finance, HR or other operational issues. We can also advise on engaging with your community or dealing with difficult situations. We provide specialist support on crisis [link to crisis], workplace wellbeing [link to workplace wellbeing] and personal development coaching [link to coaching]. We can refer you to expert professional advice.
We support communities to connect and collaborate by facilitating networking and events. This includes our annual conference [link to page], regional networking events, community learning exchanges and regular peer-to-peer check-in sessions to build relationships and share knowledge.
We have developed training and resources to build organisational capacity. These include strategy sessions and organisational reviews, board training sessions and other Continuing Professional Development sessions. As a DTAS member, you also have access to a wide range of DTAS publications and toolkits covering best practice.
We also provide opportunities to our members to represent and influence. As a DTAS member, you can participate in government consultations and pilot programmes. As one of DTAS’ 350 members, your voice is amplified at the highest levels.
DTAS also runs a number of funding programmes:
Strengthening Communities Programme:
Funded by Scottish Government, this is a rolling programme that provides support and funding (usually for 1 full-time post) for up to three years. The aim of the programme is to support organisations to develop their core capacity and income generation to develop longer-term sustainability. We are currently supporting 30 DTAS members in this programme.
Green Shoots
Funded by Acorns to Trees, our Green Shoot support funding programme is available to full and provisional members of DTAS only. Green Shoots can support members that are facing unexpected costs that could potentially lead to considerable damage financially, reputationally or structurally, or provides the opportunity for members to apply for a project that is being hindered due to the need for a small amount of funding. Between 2022-2024, DTAS awarded 46 grants.
Aspiring Members
DTAS also provides support to community organisations who are looking to become development trusts.
Our Membership and Engagement Officer can provide you with one-to-one support to guide you through the process of becoming a development trust. Our start-up toolkit provides templates, factsheet and guidance to help you get started.
You can also meet and learn from other development trusts by attend our regional networking events, community learning exchanges and the DTAS annual conference.
Additional information on programmes
for members
Do you feel your organisation is struggling financially, has serious governance problems or is dealing with issues arising from an asset you manage? DTAS introduced the crisis and resilience service in 2023 to help members become more resilient and to get through a crisis when it occurs.
We can help you access support in a range of areas:
- Financial planning
- HR advice
- Facilities management
- Governance
- Communication
This service provides support from a specialist Development Officer at DTAS who can guide you through this difficult period and connect you with experts who can provide the detailed advice you need.
If you would like to access this service, please contact your Development Officer to discuss.
Is your workforce feeling the effects of burnout and you’re not sure how to manage it?
- Do you want to prioritise the wellbeing of your staff team?
- Are you experiencing difficulties with your organisational culture and not sure how to improve it?
If so, the DTAS Workplace Wellbeing Support Service is here to help! DTAS’s Workplace Wellbeing Support Service will provide tailored support to DTAS’s members based on wellbeing from an organisational level. The support will be available to development trusts that would like to focus on promoting the positive wellbeing of their staff team.
The support service will provide:
- Face to face or online 1:1 support from our Wellbeing & Inclusion Coordinator
- Tailored resources based on workplace wellbeing
- Relevant training and webinars
- Staff engagement sessions
- Practical tips on how to look after your workforce
Want to know more?
Click below to find out a little bit more about the service.
Want a referral?
Click below to make a direct referral to this service.
Empower Your Journey with DTA Scotland’s Personal Development Coaching Programme
- Are you looking to enhance your personal and professional development within a supportive community?
- Are you seeking strategies to achieve a better work-life balance and strengthen your decision-making skills?
- Do you wish to cultivate a stronger sense of autonomy and self prioritisation within your work environment?
If these questions resonate with you, DTA Scotland’s Personal Development Coaching Programme is designed to support your growth. Tailored specifically for individuals working or volunteering within our member organisations, this 6-week coaching initiative is a key component of our commitment to fostering significant development across our sector.
What the Programme Offers:
- Initial Consultation Call: Engage in a one-on-one session to set clear, actionable goals for your personal and professional growth.
- Weekly Personal Coaching: Benefit from dedicated sessions focusing on self-reflection, goal setting, and strategic action planning.
- Ongoing Accountability: Receive regular follow-ups to ensure you stay on track and make the most of the programme.
Transformative Outcomes:
Our participants experience profound changes, reporting:
- Enhanced work-life balance
- Sharper decision-making abilities
- Increased personal autonomy.
Hear from Our Participants:
This programme offered clarity and helped prioritise my wellbeing, changing how I approach daily pressures.
I’ve broken free from limiting beliefs, harnessing my skills and the power of my connections.
Join Us
To learn more and register your interest, please fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI)
Further Information
For more information about this programme please contact Errin
Become a member
Want to get in touch? You can contact our Member Support team directly.
Send the team an email
Want to get in touch?
You can contact our Democratic Finance Scotland team directly