Inspiring Scotland

Graphic with purple background and bold text: "Youth unemployment statistics alone don’t paint the full picture. The reasons for young people not being in education, employment or training are complex, interlinked, and often rooted in disadvantage." Below are two quotes: "“I didn't know what career pathways were out there and wasn't sure which options would be suitable due to my disability.” “My mental health was rubbish, and I feel like I didn’t get supported well from the staff at school.”

Young people tell us that poverty, mental health, trauma, disrupted education, caring responsibilities, disability, or instability at home are some of the main reasons.

Our evidence on what works to help young people move into education, training and work 👇 inspiringscotland.org.uk/breaking-bar...

Quote text by Kaylie Allen, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland: "“The manifesto reflects what we’ve heard and seen through the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (PIMH) Fund, which Inspiring Scotland has managed for the Scottish Government since 2020. Third sector organisations delivering perinatal and infant mental health support are making a remarkable difference every day—reducing parental isolation, strengthening early relationships, and helping families with increasingly complex needs—but they’re also under real pressure."

Quote text continues: “Our report, Under Pressure but Full of Potential, shows that organisations are experiencing rising referrals, often involving moderate to severe mental health concerns, and growing waiting lists for community support. Demand is increasing faster than resources, and services are filling the gaps left by overstretched statutory provision. These charities are essential, but many operate in a fragile funding landscape that doesn’t match the scale or seriousness of what families are facing.

Quote text continues: “We strongly support the manifesto’s recommendation for greater investment in integrated, whole-family support. The third sector is uniquely placed to provide it—they’re trusted, embedded in communities, and able to build the kind of relationships that help parents and babies thrive. But they need sustainable investment to keep doing what works.”

We support the @parentinfantfdn.bsky.social and partners’ Manifesto for Babies in Scotland which was recently published and makes strong recommendations on what Scotland’s youngest children need, and what must change to support them.

Read more in our blog: inspiringscotland.org.uk/supporting-t...

We are recruiting! Join Inspiring Scotland's team! Inspiring Scotland is recruiting for new members of staff to join the team.

We're hiring!

Communications and Impact Officer – Intandem

Play a pivotal role in the Intandem team in the years ahead, shaping our communications, coordinating events, and supporting fund management.

35 hpw, £28k – £34k pa
Deadline: 9 March 2026

Apply 👇
inspiringscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/t...

An update: Reducing Online Harm for children and young people in Scotland  - Inspiring Scotland Yesterday (5th February 25), Inspiring Scotland joined a group of campaigners at the Scottish Parliament for a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education to make the case for more support to ban...

Our children and young people deserve nothing less than the chance to grow, play, explore and feel safe.

Read about recent efforts to tackle online harm and how Inspiring Scotland is taking action:

inspiringscotland.org.uk/an-update-re...

We are recruiting! Join Inspiring Scotland's team! Inspiring Scotland is recruiting for new members of staff to join the team.

We're hiring!
Campaigning for Social Justice - Fund Manager

Manage a portfolio of funded organisations working towards social justice reform in Scotland.

21 hpw, home-based, £44k – £48k pa.
Deadline for applications: 16 Feb 2026

Apply👉 inspiringscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/t...

Major National Lottery investment to expand Intandem mentoring and strengthen support for Scotland’s kinship care community - Inspiring Scotland Intandem, Inspiring Scotland’s mentoring programme for children and young people experiencing the care system, will expand significantly over the next five years following an investment of almost £4.5...

Intandem, Inspiring Scotland’s mentoring programme for children and young people experiencing the care system, will expand significantly over the next five years following an almost £4.5 million investment from @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.

Read more 👇
inspiringscotland.org.uk/major-nation...

We are recruiting! Join Inspiring Scotland's team! Inspiring Scotland is recruiting for new members of staff to join the team.

We're hiring!
Participation and Engagement Lead – Intandem

Shape our work over the next 5 years & drive meaningful improvements in support for young people growing up in kinship care and their kinship carers.

35hpw, home-based, £32k – £38k pa

inspiringscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/t...

Graphic with title Harnessing Tech for Good: The Power of Cross-Sector Mentoring. Specialist Volunteer Network. Quote by participants Ewelina: “The programme helped me develop greater clarity in my role, build stronger decision-making skills, and gain confidence in areas where I previously felt uncertain. It has encouraged me to think more strategically, set clearer goals, and follow through with more discipline.”

We partnered with Morgan Stanley’s Glasgow Women in Tech (WiT) to bring tech experts from the financial sector and charities together to share knowledge, solve real challenges, and build lasting capacity.

Read all about it in our latest blog: inspiringscotland.org.uk/harnessing-t...

Challenges remain - Organisations report: Increasing demand for their services; Reporting to funders taking more administration time; Volunteer commitment has been reducing due to the need for many to increase their working hours; Short term funding makes planning challenging.

Thank you to all the fantastic organisations that support Scotland’s families during the unique and vital perinatal period.

Thank you to all the fantastic organisations that support Scotland’s families during the unique and vital perinatal period.

Outcome updates: 90% of parents and carers have improved wellbeing, feel less isolated and better able to seek support. Quote by a parent supported by Healthy Valleys: “It has also been a great way to meet and socialise with other mums and their babies, creating a sense of community.”

Outcome update: 87% of parents and carers feel better able to meet the needs of their babies and infants. Quote by a parent supported by Midlothian Sure Start: “It always feels like a safe space to come to each week. I felt able to share things with other members of the group and have enjoyed discussions and loved the massage with baby.”

88% of parents and carers feel better able to support their babies through warm, secure and interactive relationships. Quote by a parent supported by Crossreach Community Connections: “Honestly this service has been invaluable, and I strongly believe saved my life. I am finally enjoying motherhood. Thank you so much! Also, having my daughter in the crèche meant I could take the time to do the work and have a space to breathe.”

The 16 funded organisations offer diverse, relationship-led support in community settings. Many deliver multiple types of services including peer support, parenting and infant support, and counselling and psychological support through both group and individual sessions.

Graphic with big bold text on a gradient teal background: Quote reads “I am finally enjoying motherhood.” Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund update. Key highlights, outcomes and challenges, April - September 2025

Over 3,500 individuals were supported in the six month period to September 2025. An increase of 20% on the previous reporting period. Photos of baby playing with drums surrounded by two adults, and a mum giving a massage to her baby.

This vital work is delivered by 127 members of staff in the 16 funded organisations. They are supported by 319 volunteers who have given over 7,000 hours of their time. Photo of seven mums attending a group with their babies, sitting in a circle giving them a massage

Providing support for all family members - bar chart showing that during the reporting period, the fund supported 1568 mums, 1442 infants, 448 dads, and 68 others.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund works with 16 organisations who provide crucial support services for parents, carers, infants and families who are experiencing mental health difficulties during the perinatal period.

Latest 6-monthly report: inspiringscotland.org.uk/publication/...

Seven Scottish campaigns receive funding to drive social change  - Inspiring Scotland Seven organisations have been selected to receive funding for campaigning projects aimed at improving the lives of people in Scotland.  Covering a wide range of issues from access to health checks for...

Seven organisations have been selected to receive funding for campaigning projects aimed at improving the lives of people in Scotland.

inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/scottis...

Graphic with bold title text reads "Start your year with purpose: Join the Specialist Volunteer Network" on a light green background. Below are two photos, one of two people working together on laptops and another of someone presenting to a group of people in a conference room. Lastly, there is a quote by Malcolm Dickson, Specialist Volunteer: “Working for these charities has been genuinely inspiring. The dedication of the teams and the scope of what they deliver is incredible. As well as sharing some of my knowledge and time, I have learned a lot from the teams themselves. These charities are serious businesses with excellent management so the opportunities for a mutually beneficial relationship are plentiful.”

Our Specialist Volunteer Network connects experienced individuals with charities that need specialist support to strengthen their work and create lasting impact.

More on how it works: inspiringscotland.org.uk/start-your-y...

We are recruiting! Join Inspiring Scotland's team! Inspiring Scotland is recruiting for new members of staff to join the team.

📢 We're hiring!

Performance and Impact Advisor,
Delivering Equally Safe Fund

- Home-based with expectation of some travel
- 35 hours pw. We are happy to discuss flexible working.
- £28,000 – £34,000 pa
- Deadline for applications: 26 January

inspiringscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/t...

Funding approved for specially equipped toilets, improving access and inclusion for disabled people - Inspiring Scotland People with profound disabilities and complex needs will have greater freedom and independence with the development of 59 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland. Backed by a total Scottish Govern...

Read more about The Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund and successful projects here: inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/funding...

Quote box with teal background and big orange quotation marks around it, by Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland: “We were delighted by the strong response to the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund, which shows the urgent need for more accessible facilities across Scotland. Inspiring Scotland is proud to manage this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government, and to work alongside expert partners like PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) to ensure the funding delivers maximum impact. Access to toilets is a basic human right, and these projects will make a real difference to people who require additional support, and their families.”

Funding approved for specially equipped toilets, improving access and inclusion for disabled people ♿🎉

People with profound disabilities and complex needs will have greater freedom and independence with the development of 59 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland.

Now in its fourth year (2025–26), DES funds 107 organisations delivering 116 services focused on vital support for survivors and preventative work to tackle gender-based violence, from practical help with housing and emotional wellbeing to delivering awareness programmes in schools.

A group of people, mostly women, standing in front of a church in evening light. They are holding placards with slogans such as "no more gender-based violence" and "take a stand". Around them are more posters relating to #16Days placed in the ground. Trees around them are illuminated with Christmas lights.

Today marks the final day of #16DaysOfActivism against gender-based violence.

Read more about our work in this area and the services we support through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund: inspiringscotland.org.uk/our-work-to-...

Working together for disabled people's rights and wellbeing - Inspiring Scotland Across Scotland, people and organisations are working hard every day to improve the lives of disabled people – widening access to essential facilities and services, improving support with social care ...

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to highlight the incredible work being done across the funding programmes we manage and deliver, to advance equality and promote disabled people’s rights, dignity, and wellbeing.
#IDPWD2025
inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/working...

Graphic with bold text: Scotland can re-imagine philanthropy as an investment in our shared future. - Celia Tennant, Chief Executive, Inspiring Scotland. Blog now live on our website. The right side of the graphic has a photograph of Celia Tennant leaning on a teal background.

This #GivingTuesday our Chief Executive, Celia Tennant, shares her thoughts on why philanthropy matters now more than ever, how it can transform lives and communities, and why Scotland has an opportunity to lead with bold, collaborative generosity.

Read: inspiringscotland.org.uk/philanthropy...

Photo of a young person and an adult listening to music on headphones as part of a music workshop. Text: One of the key ways we deliver our model is through the generous contribution of specialist volunteers, who share their time, expertise, and skills as part of our Specialist Volunteer Network to support and strengthen the sector. Last year, our Specialist Volunteers delivered 460 projects for third sector organisations. These 2,613 hours of support equates to over a year and a half of full-time work. The support spanned all areas of expertise, from communications strategies to business development, HR support, legal advice and more. Quote: “The support from the SVN has been invaluable. Being able to access the information and advice that otherwise we wouldn't have been able to has been fantastic.” by 2025 partner survey respondent

Photo of two women and text: Explore more insights, link in post

Explore more insights in our Annual Report 2024/25: inspiringscotland.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Graphic titled Funding across Scotland. Map of Scotland with Local Authority areas in various shades of grey, showing the spread of funding. Text reads At Inspiring Scotland, we believe that every person, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to thrive. We fund and support organisations based on strong evidence of need and impact, and work with them to make the best use of resources. We use evidence and are led by the experience of people impacted by poverty and disadvantage. In 2024/25, we managed £33,465,511 in funding across all 32 local authority areas, and £14,004,582 of national funding.

Text reads: Since 2008, we have been committed to addressing Scotland’s most pressing social challenges and creating a fairer, more equal society. Achieving this requires us to continually challenge ourselves – to embrace new ways of working, adapt, and learn from others. Our philanthropic model is built on relationships. We know that it's essential to listen to the organisations within our portfolio who are delivering vital frontline projects and services. Quote: “Inspiring Scotland being the link between charities and funders really helps for the relationship to work in both directions” said 2025 partner survey respondent

Photograph of a young boy outside, smiling into the camera, with an early years staff member reaching out for him from the side. Text reads Annual Report at a glance, with an arrow pointing to the right.

Graphic with big textboxes reads: Our impact in 2024/25: £47.5m of funding managed, 16 funding programmes, 333 organisations supported, 190,823 people supported.

In 2024/25, we worked alongside charities and funders to strengthen resilience and unlock new opportunities for impact.

Read all about it in our newly published Annual Report: inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/annual-...

SVN Workshop | Marketing for Non-Profits and Charities Are you ready to elevate your organisation’s impact, amplify your message, and diversify your revenue streams?

Marketing for Non-Profits and Charities – free workshop

Are you ready to elevate your organisation’s impact, amplify your message, and diversify your revenue streams?
📅 25 November, 2pm - 5pm
📍 CMS Glasgow, 1 West Regent Street, G2 1AP

Book your spot today: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/svn-worksh...

The SMK Annual Campaigner and Changemaker Survey provides insight and evidence to improve your practice and support your work. Take the survey by 3rd December.

https://forms.office.com/e/M2L9N2HUyZ

#SMKCampaignerSurvey

Graphic titled Breakfast club investment across Scotland, showing map of Scotland with shaded areas going from light to dark brown. There's a list of all Local Authority areas with the amount of organisations invested in to deliver new and expanded breakfast clubs in each. Among the darkest shaded LA areas with the most investment are Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, Glasgow, Fife, and West Dunbartonshire.

Photo of children having breakfast at school and a Quote: “The Bright Start Breakfasts funding has made a real difference for our children and families. By ensuring pupils begin their day well-nourished and ready to learn, we have seen improved attendance, greater engagement in lessons, and a positive impact on attainment. Just as importantly, it has strengthened the nurturing ethos at Neilston Primary, helping us create a welcoming and supportive environment where every child can thrive.” – Gerard Curley, Head Teacher, Neilston Primary School

Photo of children having breakfast at school and a Quote: “The expansion of breakfast club services is an integral part of our mission to eradicate child poverty. Breakfast clubs are community staples and provide a g for less than a year, and we are still finding our feet with it, but are in no doubt that it is a much needed and welcomed club. We're extremely grateful.” – Orla Bell, Treasurer, Cornton Out of School Care, Stirling

Quote by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville: “The expansion of breakfast club services is an integral part of our mission to eradicate child poverty. Breakfast clubs are community staples and provide a warm, friendly place for children to start their day in the best possible way, while supporting parents to work or study. Alongside our free school meals programme, which is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils, we are ensuring that children, regardless of circumstances beyond their control, are afforded the opportunities they deserve. While we know that a good breakfast can improve school attendance, learning and health, these clubs also help to address food insecurity for families. That’s why we are putting more money in people’s pockets by delivering real savings and this is, in turn, is helping to build a fairer Scotland.”

It's great to see the Bright Start Breakfasts funding in action across Scottish breakfast clubs, offering a combination of nourishment, play, and support to over 20,000 children and their families! 🍎🤸🏽👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Graphic reads: Right now, intandem volunteers are having a positive impact on the lives of young people across 20 local authorities. But we know there are more who urgently need our support. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can show up, listen, and make a lasting difference. Could that person be you?#NationalMentoringDay

Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being consistent, listening, and helping a young person feel seen and supported.

Could that be you?

Learn more about becoming a mentor: www.intandem.scot/get-involved...

Graphic reads: “I went to the library with (my mentor) and read my first big book. I now love reading books and am really good in English class now as well.” Quote by Young person

Graphic reads:“He thrives with his mentor and it’s his favourite day of the week.” Quote by Brother and carer of young person

Graphic reads: “Having a mentor has made a huge difference. She has more confidence and is willing to try new things.” Quote by Parent of young person

Graphic reads: “Mentoring has shown me how small acts of kindness, giving my time and being consistent can make a huge difference in someone else's life.” Quote by Mentor

Today is #NationalMentoringDay – an opportunity to recognise the difference that a caring and consistent adult can make to a young person’s life.

👇 Every quote comes from someone who’s seen the impact of intandem mentoring, our programme for children and young people experiencing the care system.

Graphic with Changing Places Toilets Fund logo on white and blue background reads: Applications now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. Decisions will be announced in early December.

Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund - Applications now closed!

Thank you to everyone who applied to the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund, which will extend provision of these facilities across Scotland’s communities.

Decisions will be announced in early December.

Graphic announcing: Call for Campaign Ideas - Small Grants Available. Application deadline: 21 November 2025. There are logos of Inspiring Scotland, Changing Ideas, and Ideas for Change, and three photographs - a crowd at a protest, a person giving a speech at a conference, and a group of people working together at a table.

🚨 Call for Campaign Ideas

We're inviting applications to support early-stage campaigning projects that tackle social injustice across Scotland.

- £3,000–£10,000
- 12 months
- Deadline: 21 Nov 2025

Find out more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/ideas-f...