We are really looking forward to our second annual Scottish Community Link Worker Network (SCLWN) Conference. We have been very busy over the last few weeks making the final preparations to ensure that everyone has a really enjoyable and productive day. We have reflected on everyone’s feedback from last year’s inaugural event and are confident that we will be bringing you an exciting and thought-provoking programme for the day!
For those who don’t know much about SCLWN, the Network began in 2021 with the aim of bringing together Scotland’s Community Link Workers (CLWs) to network, learn and share good practice. A lot has happened in three years and the Network is still growing and developing. We now have over 320 Community Link Workers and Programme Leads from across Scotland as members of the Network and everything we do is guided by our Network’s advisory and working groups.
My colleague Lauren and I work together on the Network’s programme of events. The Annual Conference is just one part of the Network’s busy events programme; however, it is especially important as it is one of the few opportunities that our link workers have to meet each other in person. We are very excited about the day as we’ve got over 200 CLWs travelling from across Scotland – hence the pressure to make the day one to remember!
As many of you will be aware, the way community link worker programmes are designed and delivered across Scotland really varies, which is one of the reasons that our Network and community of practice has proved so invaluable to link workers. In November 2023, Voluntary Health Scotland and the Network published the Essential Connections report which is the first of its kind to look at the CLW programme landscape across Scotland.
As a Network we always strive to put CLWs at the heart of everything we do. We are open and keen to engage with CLWs from all over Scotland. If you would like to keep up with what is going on with the Network, you can always sign up for our monthly newsletter – just get in touch with Roisin Hurst if you would like to receive this. We always welcome conversations with anyone who is new to their community link worker role or who has suggestions for us about future events or activities.
Finally, we want to thank all the CLWs who support the Network. It is very much your Network and community of practice. We are acutely aware of the amazing work that CLWs do in their communities, often under very difficult circumstances. This Conference is about you and for you. We hope it is a fitting acknowledgement and celebration of everything you do, and we really look forward to seeing you all in Glasgow on 29th May.
Roisin Hurst is the Project Manager for the Scottish Community Link Worker Network
