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Democracy Matters Route Map Published
Published by Scottish Government and COSLA the Democracy Matters: A Routemap to Reform outlines key proposals for empowering communities. This marks the culmination of significant national engagement involving community groups, equality organisations, and public sector partners across the entirety of Scotland. An easy read version of the Routemap document is under development and will be available shortly. Please note due to pre-election period limitations, next steps for this package of reforms will not be published until the new Scottish Government administration has formed. Access the Route Map here 

Age Scotland Announcement
Last week, colleagues at Age Scotland were informed that the charity is facing serious financial pressures which is predominantly due to a significant drop in income from gifts in wills, the absorption of rising costs and the conclusion of some grant funded programmes of work. Despite the implementation of a range of cost saving measures and financial prudence, the charity has no other option but to undertake a drastic cut in expenditure and restructure the charity. 
The full statement can be viewed here: Our financial position | Age Scotland

Covid Inquiry Report
People living in Scotland who had experiences with the health and social care sector will see these reflected in a new publication from the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The report summarises evidence from 156 witnesses over more than 16 weeks of public hearings between October 2023 and May 2024. It covers their experiences of care homes, healthcare services and end of life care – reflecting views on how Scotland’s health and social care system responded between January 2020 and December 2022. Recurring themes across the evidence include grief and bereavement, mental health, PPE availability, staffing pressures, and the quality of guidance issued during the pandemic. The record includes the experiences of bereaved relatives, patients, carers, healthcare and social care professionals, those separated from relatives in care homes, prisoners, people experiencing homelessness and others. 

Scottish Government Launch New Inclusive Communication Toolkit
This week, the Scottish Government launched a toolkit to
help public bodies understand and support communication
for all. Communication Inclusion People co-produced the toolkit with people who communicate in diverse ways, experts, and public service representatives. The toolkit explains why inclusive communication matters, sets out an updated definition of good practice standards and indicators, and provides step-by-step guides with practical tools. It aims to help services to make communication easier for
everyone. Easier, inclusive communication leads to better
outcomes for individuals, families, communities, services and Scotland. The Toolkit is available here

National Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development Framework 
The first Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development Framework was published on the Scottish Government website on 19 February 2026. This framework is intended for all staff and volunteers operating across Scotland who might come into contact with adults as part of their role. The end of the framework includes a list of helpful publications, alongside access to some learning and development training resources. 
Please use this link to feedback: https://form.jotform.com/260543494580057 

Training at WDCVS
Upcoming training courses in April include:
Packing your Case
Tuesday 14th April 10am to 12pm
Making Meetings and Committees Work
Wednesday 22nd April 10am to 12pm
Training Suite Session 1: Committee Skills Training Wednesday 29th April
ASPIRE Awareness Session 
Friday 24th April 10am-10.30am
To find out more click here