Richard Findlay: Co-operation can help third-sector groups achieve aims

He went on to say: "I am convinced that Scotland's third sector can play an increasingly important role in helping to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. That's because third sector organisations, including social enterprises, are often best placed to connect with the individuals the public sector finds hardest to reach, bringing employment opportunities and income where the private sector doesn't operate."

The question for Scotland is: how do we unlock this huge potential? Furthermore, how do we achieve this when both public and private sectors are being squeezed by budget cuts and forced to review their priorities?

The third sector is vast. Some reports estimate that it is made up of around 45,000 organisations. They include charities, trusts, foundations, voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations spanning health promotion, arts and heritage, sport, schools and education, scientific research, environmental protection and conservation, citizenship and the protection of our youth.

As such the third sector includes not-for-profit organisations such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and charities such as the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, the Woodland Trust, Scotland, People's Postcode Trust, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company and St Columba's Hospice, all clients of Tods Murray.

Now more than ever, organisations can share ideas, collaborate and learn from each other and we are now making that possible through a series of forums which could bring about Mr Swinney's "transformation".

At times like these we can all wish for a silver bullet to solve our problems, but nothing really beats taking practical steps to help meet common challenges. The first step should be to network.

Richard Findlay is head of the charity law team at Tods Murray, which is hosting the first Third Sector Forum on 2 March