A softly lit gathering space with people seated in a circle, warm amber and cream tones, calm and collaborative atmosphere

Events

Gatherings, festivals, and learning opportunities for Scotland's public service community

Events bring together people from across Scotland's public services, creating space for meaningful conversation and shared learning. Whether focused on collaborative leadership, reforming public service delivery, or building trust across teams, these gatherings help bridge silos and spark new thinking. Attendees come from a wide range of roles and sectors, all united by a commitment to improving how services work for the people of Scotland. Through workshops, guest speakers, and facilitated dialogue, each event offers practical tools and fresh perspective that participants can carry back into their daily work. The atmosphere is open and welcoming, designed to encourage honest exchange and lasting connection.

Festivals offer a broader, more immersive experience for Scotland's public service community. Across several days, participants can explore themes such as innovation, human-centred design, and the future of public services through a mix of talks, interactive sessions, and social events. These larger gatherings celebrate progress and highlight pioneering work happening across the country, while also creating space to reflect on the challenges still ahead. The festival format allows people to step away from day-to-day pressures and engage deeply with ideas and each other, strengthening the relationships and networks that underpin collaborative public service improvement.

Learning opportunities extend beyond formal events into ongoing programmes designed to build capability across the workforce. Peer exchange groups bring together people working on similar issues, allowing them to share insights, explore different approaches, and support one another through real challenges. Facilitated networks and coaching circles provide structured space for growth, while shorter sessions such as breakfast clubs and lunchtime dialogues make it easy for busy professionals to take part. These programmes are grounded in the belief that lasting change happens when people learn together, building shared understanding and practical skills that strengthen public services from the inside out.

Themed workstreams and action-oriented gatherings focus on specific issues that matter most to Scotland's communities. From dementia-friendly service design to improving relationships between frontline workers and the people they support, these events dig into real problems with a practical, solutions-focused mindset. Participants leave not just with inspiration but with concrete plans and new collaborations to pursue. The emphasis throughout is on turning dialogue into action, ensuring that the energy generated at events leads to meaningful change in how services are delivered. This commitment to practical impact is what sets these gatherings apart and keeps people coming back to engage, learn, and contribute.

Dangerous Ideas and Starting fires…

January 2017

Reflections and provocations from the Firestarter Festival, which ran from 23–30 January 2017, sparking fresh thinking across the public sector.

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