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Developing a sustainable future for Argyll & Bute's 3rd Sector

Have your say!

This survey is part of a project to create a Third Sector Strategy for Argyll and Bute. The strategy is about supporting the whole sector, charities, community groups and social enterprises, with Argyll & Bute TSI playing a supporting role.

Local voices matters
By sharing your experiences, challenges, and ambitions, you’ll help shape priorities that reflect the real needs of our communities and strengthen the sector’s future. Together, we can ensure support and resources are focused where they are most needed.

✨ As a thank you, organisations completing the survey can choose to enter our award for completing the survey: either £250 or half a day’s tailored training (details at the end). ✨

Shaping support for your future
We want to better understand the challenges the third and social enterprise sector is facing in Argyll and Bute. This will help us to develop a sector wide strategy. Using this new strategy we will be able to make sure we’re delivering the services you need and shape the TSI to help your future and sustainability, guided by shared values and aspirations.

We understand the sector is facing challenges: we want to make sure we’re delivering the services you need and shaping the TSI to help your future and sustainability, guided by shared values and aspirations.

Please give a few minutes of your time to complete this survey.
Survey deadline: 3rd November 2025

Who are we?
The Argyll & Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI) supports local charities, community groups, and social enterprises across the mainland and isles. We provide advice, training, funding support, networking, and ensure the third sector has a voice in local and national decision-making.

The survey is being delivered by ABTSI with support from SKS Scotland CIC. Our work is funded by the Scottish Government to provide key support functions for the third sector. We aim to improve on these to support you as effectively as possible.

No identifiable information will be shared with anyone outwith the research team. If you require any help with this survey, please email clairewhyte@sksscotland.co.uk

Thank you!

Please note that we are using the term '3rd sector organisations' throughout this survey to encompass community groups, charity organisations and social enterprises.
1.What sector does your organisation operate in?
2.We want to know what are the key issues currently faced by the sector locally. What do you see as your key strengths, and what are the main challenges you face?
3.In your opinion what do 3rd sector organisations as a whole do well within Argyll & Bute?
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Empower local communities
Communicate with local communities
Work alongside the public sector
Contribute to the local economy
Support social care, health, employability
Adapt quickly and find creative solutions
4.What are your organisation's key priorities over the next 2 years?
5.What are the main challenges you face in achieving them?
6.Have you used A&B TSI's services?
7.If you have used the TSI's services how would you describe your experience of the following? (Please tick all that apply)
Needs improving
OK
Good
Very good
Building capacity via direct support (funding and grants advice, business planning, strategy review, HR advice, governance support, fundraising tools etc)
Direct services (volunteering listings & support, online learning portal, community directory, online resources hub, Inveraray training facility, jobs page etc)
Regular networks (Adults Health and Wellbeing Network, Children, Social Enterprise)
Funding management via bespoke fund management portal (Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, ABCAN seed fund and CLLD resilience fund)
Knowledge and training (workshops on key issues)
Voice and advocacy (representation of the sector on local statutory bodies, regional and national level)
8.Please rank the following services to show which would be the most useful for you as part of a paid membership service. (Discounts might be available if organisations join together.)
Least useful
Most useful
HR (eg payroll management, compliance, training)
Bookkeeping / accounting
Marketing / social media
AI (for training needs etc)
A tool for storing and accessing your evaluation, feedback and project outcomes that you can evidence for future funding applications
A service providing phones, laptops and PCs
Legal
Insurance
Shared admin and support tasks
9.In an ideal world what would be your ambitions for the whole sector in Argyll & Bute in the future?
10.How could the TSI best support the sector’s future growth and resilience?
11.Would you support an “All Argyll” fund* (see more details below) being created (funds created to support shared objectives that cut across localities)
*An All Argyll Fund could be created to support charitable infrastructure development projects that operate across multiple localities and could include things such as transport, social care, specialist services or consultancy support.
12.How might this work best for your community or organisation?
13.Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help shape ABTSI’s future direction or services, and make your organisation's path more sustainable?
14.I am a
15.Optional award for completing the survey
If you would like to be entered into the award draw, recognising the time and involvement you have given, please provide your email address or contact number below.

One organisation will receive either £250 or half a day’s tailored training (for your organisation or a third-sector organisation of your choice, delivered by ABTSI or SKS).

Your contact details will only be used for the award draw and will not be shared.
This survey is part of a wider project to create a Third Sector Strategy for Argyll and Bute. If your organisation would like to support this work and explore these questions in more depth, we’d love to hear from you. Funding is available for groups to host focus groups. Please contact clairewhyte@sksscotland.co.uk for more information.

Argyll & Bute TSI is working with SKS Scotland CIC to deliver this project, with funding from the Scottish Government. As part of this commitment, we are gathering the views of members, stakeholders, and communities to develop a relevant strategy that strengthens the sector and supports long-term sustainability.

Terms and conditions for the Award for Participation draw can be found on the A&B TSI website.
THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS SURVEY!