Community Events

October

On 14th October, FFOTRA staff attended the Fife Funders Fayre, taking part in a range of informative sessions led by CyberScotland, Fife Voluntary Action, Health Promotion Service, Fife Health and Social Care, Lindsays, and Keegan & Pennykid. 

The event offered a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, hear from a range of professionals and make connections with organisations supporting charities and community groups across Fife. 

Staff came away with useful ideas and practical advice to support FFOTRA’s ongoing development, improve our ways of working and help us continue to provide the best possible support to our community.

February 2026

On 10th and 11th February, FFOTRA staff and volunteers attended The Gathering, Scotland's largest free event for the voluntary sector, organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). Held annually the event brings together charities, community groups, social enterprises, and volunteers from across Scotland to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.

Over the two days, delegates enjoyed a varied programme of workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities, alongside a bustling exhibition showcasing organisations from across the third sector. It was a great opportunity to discover new resources, make valuable connections, and, of course, pick up the occasional free pen!

Seminars covered a wide range of topics, including funding opportunities, financial management, values-led leadership, innovation, and tackling poverty and inequality. The event provided plenty of practical ideas and inspiration that will help FFOTRA continue supporting tenants and residents across Fife.

17th November 2025

In November, our team joined tenants from across Fife for Fife Council's annual Tenant Conference. Through the course of the day, tenants took part in a series of thoughtful and informative workshops. Sessions on the Housing Emergency, 'What Your Rent Pays For,' and the Allocations Policy Review helped to shed light on some of the biggest issues affecting council tenants today. There was also an update on the latest findings from Fife Council's Customer Satisfaction surveys - an important snapshot of what's working well and where improvements are needed.

What made the day truly meaningful was the openness of the conversations taking place. The conference wasn't simply about presentations from the front room - it was about tenants sharing their lived experience. People spoke passionately about repairs and the conditions of homes, voicing their concerns but also celebrating the positives in their communities.

One of the most engaging moments came when tenants were invited to vote on their priorities for the year ahead. Whether it was investment in home improvements or views on the proposed rent increase, every voice in the room contributed to a clearer picture of what matters most to Fife's communities.

By the end of the day, there was a real sense that this wasn't just a conference. Tenants left with a deeper understanding of how rent is spent, and the Council left with a stronger grasp of what tenants truly value. It felt like a step forward, a step built on conversation, transparency, and shared commitment.

5th November 2025

Last week, our team had the pleasure of attending Fife Voluntary Action's Know Your Network event held in Dunfermline - and from the moment we walked into the Glen Pavilion, we knew it was going to be a special morning. The room was full of organisations who share the same passion we do: supporting people, strengthening communities, and helping others take meaningful steps towards training and gain greater confidence going into employment.

There was a real feeling of energy and optimism as groups from across Fife gathered together under one roof. Throughout the morning, we listened to insightful updates on the shifting employability landscape and had the chance to connect with services delivering life-changing support every day. Conversations flowed easily - with familiar partners we've worked alongside for years, and with new faces whose ideas and insights we were excited to learn about.

What struck us the most was the creativity and commitment on display. So many organisations working in different ways, but all with the same core purpose: helping people to move forward. Hearing about fresh initiatives and shared challenges reminded us just how much is happening behind the scenes to support communities across Fife.

But beyond the information, it was the sense of genuine collaboration that stayed with us. The event wasn't simply a networking opportunity; it felt like a gathering of people who truly care, and who understand that progress comes from working together. There was something insightful in every conversation - whether it was a new idea, or simply a renewed sense of motivation.

For ourselves, attending Know Your Network was both grounding and inspiring. It gave us the chance to bring back new insights for our members while also contributing to wider discussions about how employability support can continue to grow and adapt to community needs.

Events like this serve as a reminder of the power of collaboration. When organisations come together with openness and purpose, there isn't just an exchange of knowledge - we create possibilities. And when walking out of the Glen Pavilion, we couldn't help but feel excited about what those possibilities could mean for the communities we serve.

15th October 2025

Earlier this month, members from our Board and staff set off to Fife College for the Fife Funders' Fayre hosted by Fife Voluntary Action (FVA). Community groups, charities, social enterprises, support organisations - we were all there with a common goal: to learn, connect, and strengthen the work happening across Fife.

As we move from stall to stall, we met a wide range of funders who shared insights, highlighting grant schemes currently open to local organisations. It wasn't just about funding, though - there was a real sense of collaboration and encouragement. Alongside the funders were organisations such as Kingdom Community Bank, The Carnegie Trust, The National Lottery Fund, among many others, who offered advice and support shaped by years of community experience. 

The FVA team, as always, were incredibly welcoming. Throughout the day they shared practical guidance on everything from writing stronger funding applications to refreshing constitutions and ensuring organisations meet funder requirements. Their advice was clear, and grounded in the realities many community organisations face.

One of the highlights of the day was a series of workshops led by field experts. These covered a variety of topics - funding application tips, charity law updates, PVG and Disclosure Scotland changes. Each session was packed with useful takeaways and insights we've been able to share with our members.

We left the event feeling more informed and with a greater sense of encouragement. Events like the Fife Funders' Fayre are a reminder of the power of connection - not just between organisations and funders, but between people working together to strengthen their communities.

July 2025

Over the past few weeks, we have been listening and moving forward alongside our community as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) opens an important public conversation about the future of local fire cover. These proposed changes will influence how our towns are protected for years to come, and we felt it was vital to be there - not just as an organisation, but as people who care deeply about community safety.

To make sure local voices were truly heard, we sent representatives to two of the four public consultation meetings held here in Fife: first in Methil, then later in Lochgelly. Each gathering had its own atmosphere, yet there was a clear sense that what was being discussed genuinely mattered. The sessions weren't just presentations; they were opportunities for real conversations.

At the heart of the discussion were questions about how many appliances each station would retain, and what that would mean for response times and emergencies. (In this context, "appliance" simply means a fire engine - a standard SFRS term for the vehicles used to respond to emergencies.)

For communities like Lochgelly, Methil, and Glenrothes, these aren't abstract ideas - they represent the reality of how quickly help arrives when it's needed most.

What's Being Proposed?

SFRS outlined several key changes for Fife:

• Dunfermline: Replacing the station's third appliance - currently a Combined Aerial Rescue Pump (CARP) - with a dedicated high-reach appliance.
• Lochgelly: Reducing the number of wholetime appliances from two to one.
• Methil or Glenrothes: Either maintaining a single wholetime appliance, or reinstating the second one that was temporarily removed in September 2023.

Each proposal carries its own set of possibilities and challenges. It was clear from the conversations in the room that people want decisions grounded in community needs, not just logistics.

What stood out the most at both meetings was the passion - everyone displayed a willingness to ask question, share concerns, and challenge the ideas put on the table. It serves as a reminder of just how strong our communities can be when given the chance to speak up.

We will continue to follow the consultation closely, but the real strength in this process comes from everyday voices. If you took part, encouraged someone else to attend, or even just talked about it at home, you have helped to ensure our community was represented.

March 2025

FFOTRA Board members and staff attended Fife Council’s Better Homes Exhibition, where our stall, alongside other third-sector organisations and the Damp Team, encouraged valuable discussions.

We engaged with tenants from various areas who were not part of a TRA, providing advice on how to establish one. Additionally, we connected with several existing TRA members.

The event was a great opportunity to collaborate with other agencies and address pressing housing concerns.