The Promise to Parkrun: children’s sector conference to deliver diverse programme

11 March 2025

Scotland’s children’s sector is gearing up for a major conference in Glasgow, which will see organisations from The Promise to Parkrun outline how they are improving children and young people’s lives across Scotland.

Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference takes place 28-29 May at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow, with confirmed speakers including Fraser McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer of The Promise Scotland, broadcaster, writer & coach Dr. Vanessa Collingridge, author and creative practitioner Nadine Aisha Jassat, as well as Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise.

Meanwhile, a diverse range of organisations will deliver 28 workshops over the two-day programme – including Parkrun, Cyrenians, Forces Children Scotland, Child Poverty Action Group, Rock Trust, and No Knives, Better Lives, to name a few.

The event is co-chaired by members of Children in Scotland’s ‘Changing our World’ youth advisory group. The group have also been involved in some significant aspects of event planning; from workshop selection, to menu planning and event marketing. Changing our World’s involvement ensures that the programme and event meet their expectations of inclusivity, impact and sustainability.

Shaun, a member of the Changing our World youth advisory group who will co-chair Day One of Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference, said:

"Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference is a chance to learn about what work is currently being done in the children and young people's sector, the issues that children and young people currently face and network with other professionals who work with children and young people.

“I think people should buy tickets because it is a great event. I have been to the past two, and I have enjoyed every single one. During the conference, I have been able to develop my understanding of what issues children and young people face through amazing workshops, so I would definitely recommend buying a ticket!”

Natalie Don-Innes MSP, who returns for a second year to Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference, said

“I'm honoured to be invited back to speak at Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference this year. When I attended last year, I was struck by the drive and determination of those at the conference to really make a difference.

“The conference is an opportunity to share experiences and celebrate successes, and it is hugely important for our work to keep the promise to have a place to come together, share best practice and think about different ways of doing things.

"Personally, I find it extremely helpful to be in a room with different people working for children and young people, being able to listen to each other and work with different opinions.”

Some event highlights include:

• Keynote: Reflections on five years of The Promise and look ahead to 2030, Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
• Keynote: Making children’s rights real: Building a Scotland of happiness, love, and understanding, Juliet Harris, Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)
• Workshops covering children’s mental health, additional support needs, labels and language, outdoor play, peer mediation, and much more
• Chairing from Nicola Killean, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland and Fiona Duncan, Independent Strategic Advisor on the promise, along with members of Children in Scotland’s children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World
• A dynamic community of exhibitors paired with valuable networking opportunities.

To find out more about this event and to book now, visit: www.childreninscotland.org.uk/conferences/ac25/

This event is kindly sponsored by Road Safety Scotland, tri.x – Part of the OneTouch Health Group, Kibble and The Open University in Scotland, in partnership with DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.

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