You could be one of 20 people selected to take part in workshops about how to improve support for people who are living with financial insecurity in the Highlands of Scotland.
If you take part in the four workshops you will receive £265 (paid after you have attended each session as a voucher of your choice) to thank and compensate you for your time.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
These workshops will bring together a diverse group of people to explore views on the causes, consequences of and response to poverty across the communities of Highland. Your views will help to improve early intervention and develop approaches to support people that are targeted, effective, and responsive to local needs.
The workshops are open to anyone who has experience of financial insecurity in recent years. This could be either in or out of work, whether this experience has been long term or short term and whatever age you are.
The independent Highland Poverty and Equality Commission (The Commission), is funding these workshops which will be delivered by us, the public participation charity Involve, (read more about us here). The Commission recognises that poverty in the Highlands is shaped by a unique set of factors. This includes geographic isolation, limited access to services, and seasonal employment patterns. Additionally, rising living costs and housing pressures, particularly impact low-income households. The Commission identified five themes to explore in workshops with residents of the Highlands. It wants to build solutions that work for people living in different communities.
If you are selected to take part you would need to be able to attend three workshops out of five plus an initial welcome and warmup workshop and you can choose which ones you would most like to be a part of. The workshops be held online on the following dates:
Tuesday 14th April 6-8:30pm
Welcome - deciding how we work together, and how you can get the most out of your time on the panel
Saturday 18th April, 10am-3pm
Access - Transport, Digital, Provision of Services
Saturday 2nd of May, 10am-3pm
Housing - Affordable, Secure and Accessible homes
Saturday 16th of May, 10am-3pm
Fair-Work - Opportunity to get work, Security of work, Reward of work
Saturday 23rd of May, 10am-3pm
Early Years and Education - Early Learning and Childcare, Cost of the school day, family and Community Learning, Positive Destinations
Saturday 30th of May, 10am-3pm
Financial Security - Income Maximisation, Costs of Living, Debt reduction
You don’t need any prior knowledge to take part. All you need is willingness to listen to some information presented and a want to share your opinions with us and your fellow participants. This can include sharing your or your family’s experience of financial challenges, but only ever as far as you feel comfortable to do so.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
You can also text us on 07418 318108 to register your interest.
Please find an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document here and at the end of this page.
The deadline to register is 31st March 2026 midday 12pm. When you sign up we will ask some questions about you to make sure that we are hearing from a diverse range of people. A random selection of diverse participants will then be made and we will contact you to let you know if you have been chosen – we will let you know either way.
This is a fantastic opportunity to help inform and shape how people facing financial insecurity in the Highlands are treated and supported. We hope that you will be interested in joining the workshops and we look forward to hearing from you.