Cause I'm fishing for a theme

If its somewhere in between...

On the first day of advent it occurred to me….That there must be 24 things that I can say about the Third Sector that just echo with Yuletide goodness. Well. Here goes…

1. If the Third Sector is about anything, it’s about strengthening social connections – look out for your neighbours this festive time.
2. It’s always about creating opportunities for volunteering and participation – give the present of volunteering.
3. An overall aim is surely getting more local voices into service decision-making – like a Carol Singer – get your voice heard!
4. A starting point for many Third Sector organisations is about supporting people who are dealing with hardship, or inequality – if you can help someone by being aware of others needs that’s a ‘Cracker’ of a thing to do.
5. The Third Sector provides a variety of safe and inclusive spaces for just being yourself – it’s alright to celebrate Christmas your way.
6. Encouraging local leadership and empowerment – you can break with tradition and put your lights up early – Empowered!
7. Committed to celebrating culture & heritage - we all have Christmas traditions we inherit – be bold and share them!
8. Improve wellbeing through social and practical support – wellbeing can come from a good old game of ‘pass the parcel’ – no fighting!
9. Enabling early intervention to prevent crises – be the one who intervenes and remembers to turn down the oven – crisis averted!
10. Increasing trust and collaboration among local partners – we all know that you’re the best person to make up that playlist so in the spirit of partnership, do it!
11. Creating fair employment, and supporting training, and skills pathways – now is the time to learn from your Auntie Betty how she does those amazing minced pies!
12. Helping young people gain confidence - Denny Lads at Strathcarron – need I say more!
13. Bringing groups together to reduce division – look, your Big Cousin Bob will come if you just ask him this year.
14. Advocating for fairness – this year you’ll get ‘Mousetrap’ not socks – I promise!
15.  Mobilising resources quickly in times of need – quick! Out to the shed! Extra chairs required!
16. Protecting the environment and promoting sustainability – recycle all that card!
17. Strengthening local economies by investing locally – well, let’s face it, there’s bound to be that extra spend for that missing box of chocolates on Christmas Eve at a local shop.
18. Providing creative outlets through arts, culture, and sport – do party games count as sport? – I believe they do – charades at the next Olympics, please.
19. Supporting resilience in communities – when it all gets a bit much a wee local litter pick for some fresh air might be the answer.
20. Encouraging lifelong learning and personal development – this year remember that after a lifetime of buying your Dad liquorice allsorts that he doesn’t like liquorice.
21. Unlocking the potential of overlooked talents and ideas – who knew that your wee brother was so good at wrapping presents!
22. Driving collaboration between public, private, and community sectors – Yuletide is for everybody!
23. Showing what’s possible when people care and act – and last but not least – when we all come together to help each other anything is possible – even a quiet and peaceful Christmas dinner with all your folks

So – where’s number 24 you ask? I thought I’d leave that to anyone who’d like to contribute. And in the spirit of Christmas, please try to be nice.

All the best

Alan