Inspiring Scotland

02/10/2026

Climate action starts in communities.

Across Scotland, people are coming together to restore nature, strengthen local places and build a fairer, more sustainable future.
As Climate Week draws to a close, one thing is clear: lasting change happens when communities have the support, resources and opportunities to lead. When local knowledge, passion and leadership are at the heart of climate action, the benefits reach both people and nature.

Through the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund, we're supporting community-led approaches to nature restoration. But there is still more to do, and more communities to reach.

Whether you're part of a community group, a funder, a partner organisation, or simply someone with ideas to share, there are many ways to get involved.

Find out how you can help, and learn more about the fund here:
https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/neighbourhood-ecosystem-fund/

01/10/2026

We're delighted to announce four new projects receiving support through the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund. From Glasgow to the Scottish Borders, these community-led initiatives will help restore habitats, strengthen local connections to nature, and support biodiversity recovery across Scotland.

Do you know a community group in Scotland with ambitions for nature in their local area? Find out more and apply here: https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/neighbourhood-ecosystem-funds-rolling-programme/

30/09/2026

You don't need to be a climate expert to make a difference. 🌍

Building climate confidence starts with recognising that everyone has a role to play. You do not need to be a climate expert to take action, and there is support available to help charities get started.

Explore the resources from Climate Confident Scotland here: https://climateconfident.scot/

Supporting Scotland's Third Sector towards net zero

30/09/2026

Inspiring Scotland response to The Oversight Board for the promise Report FOUR

This week (29 September 26) the Oversight Board for the Promise published Report FOUR. The report has a key focus on children experiencing care at home. These are the young people whom for the last ten years we have been supporting through the Intandem mentoring programme, and who contributed their voice and experience to the report. Read Christine Roxburgh, Programme Manager for Intandem’s response to Report Four.

Inspiring Scotland welcomes the publication of the Oversight Board for the Promise Report FOUR with mixed emotions. While there has been progress in some areas, it is deeply disappointing to read that ‘too much of the promise remains on paper, not in practice, with unnecessary barriers standing in the way of true care for those who need it.’
The report's focus on children experiencing care at home, kinship care, and voice, influence and lived experience reflect priorities we see every day through our Intandem mentoring programme. For the past ten years, Intandem has supported children and young people experiencing care at home and, more recently, those growing up in kinship care. Through the trusted relationships built by our mentors and partner charities, we have heard first-hand about the challenges children, young people and families continue to face.

While Intandem's primary focus is supporting young people, it has become impossible to ignore the gaps in support available to families, with our partner charities frequently stepping in to prevent situations reaching crisis point.

We are committed to working alongside those with lived experience and partners across sectors to identify practical actions that improve support for kinship families and children experiencing care at home. The voices are clear. The evidence is clear. The priority now must be action.

The views of young people supported by Intandem contributed to this report and we are pleased to have been able to support them to do this.

Read Christine Roxburgh, Intandem Programme Manager’s full response to Report FOUR.

https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/inspiring-scotland-response-to-the-oversight-board-for-the-promise-report-four/

Intandem
Image description: A woman and child are walking holding hands.

29/09/2026

Communities are leading nature recovery across Scotland.

See how Rewilding Kinkell, a restoration project supported through our Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund is bringing people together around a shared vision for nature recovery. What started as work on one site has grown into a wider effort to connect neighbouring landowners, local residents and volunteers to improve biodiversity at a landscape scale.

From volunteer days and specialist surveys to exploring new ways for people to benefit from the land, the project shows that nature recovery is strongest when communities are at its heart.

Nature recovery won't happen without communities. By supporting local people to lead change, we can build a future where both nature and communities thrive.

🎥 Watch the video to hear more about the project.

28/09/2026

We are kicking off this by sharing why climate justice matters to us.

Follow along for updates throughout the week to hear more about community-led climate action and nature recovery initiatives helping to create a fairer, healthier and more resilient Scotland. 🌍

Image description: A carousel for Scottish Climate Week featuring text and nature scenes. The carousel explains why climate justice matters to us, with the impacts increasingly being felt across Scotland, and communities already facing poverty and disadvantage are often affected first and hardest. The carousel also sets the scene for a week of posts highlighting the positive role of community-led climate action, nature recovery and local support initiatives in helping to create a fairer, healthier and more resilient Scotland, introducing themes that will be explored in more detail throughout the week ahead.

25/09/2026

Apply to the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund by 5 October!

This fund supports organisations to develop and build accessible Changing Places Toilets, which are larger, specialist facilities designed for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. Equipped with features such as a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling track hoist, and additional space for carers, they enable people with complex disabilities to access public spaces safely and with dignity.

Sally Cavers, Fund Manager at Inspiring Scotland said:
“Changing Places Toilets are essential to ensuring that everyone in our society can participate fully in everyday life. We know that without access to these facilities, many families are forced to cut outings short or avoid leaving home altogether.
This fund is about improving dignity, inclusion and access across Scotland’s communities, and we encourage organisations to come forward with projects that will make a real difference."

Stage 1 applications close 5 October 2026

Find out more and apply:
https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/apply-to-the-changing-places-toilets-scotland-fund/

The Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund is delivered by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, with technical support from PAMIS.

Pamis Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

Image description: A changing places toilet with adult changing bench and ceiling track hoist.

24/09/2026

This week we are publishing the latest learning report from the Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support (SOCAS) Fund. The SOCAS Fund was created to help adult survivors across Scotland access the support they need and deserve. It is the only fund of its kind in Scotland.

Since taking on management of this Scottish Government Fund in 2017, we have published regular reports to demonstrate the impact of public investment and highlight the experiences of organisations delivering support across Scotland.

As we began drafting this latest report, we found ourselves reflecting on a familiar challenge: what is new to say?

The organisations funded through SOCAS provide different types of support, from helplines to outreach, peer support and befriending, plus specialist counselling, trauma education, and wellbeing and stabilisation activities. Organisations face their own operational challenges at various points, yet year after year, one message remains remarkably consistent.

When survivors get the right support, recovery is possible.

Read the rest of our blog or download the report here: https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/the-same-message-because-it-remains-true/

10/09/2026

Today marks Scottish Employability Day, a chance to recognise both the opportunities and challenges facing young people across Scotland.

Our latest Our Future Now Year 7 report highlights a growing challenge. Increasing numbers of young people are experiencing complex barriers to employment, education and training, while a rapidly changing labour market is becoming more competitive and difficult to navigate.

In this context, long-term, personalised employability support has never been more important.

Since 2019, Our Future Now has supported almost 30,000 young people across Scotland through a network of specialist employability charities. Around 5,000 young people receive support each year, with 70% moving into a positive destination.

By combining trusted relationships, tailored support and strong employer partnerships, the programme helps young people build confidence, develop skills and create sustainable pathways into employment, while helping employers access and retain talented young people.

Thank you to our investors, charities, employers and, most importantly, the young people whose determination and ambition continue to inspire us.

Read more about what we have learned in our latest report: https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/a-perfect-storm-why-employability-support-matters-more-than-ever/

08/09/2026

How can we create the conditions for Scotland's babies, children and young people to thrive?

At Inspiring Scotland, we invest in the critical moments that shape babies, children and young people's lives. Through funding, support and partnerships with charities across Scotland, we're helping create better outcomes for children, young people and families.

Join us on 24 September for a webinar exploring insights from our new report, Improving Life Chances: Investing in Scotland's babies, children and young people.

Hear directly from our programme and fund managers as they share learning from across our work in infant mental health, outdoor play and learning, supporting care experienced young people, and employability and positive futures.

Join us to explore what's making a difference for babies, children and young people across Scotland.

24 September | 2pm to 3pm

Register here: 9a187345-0f9b-4a6b-bc58-f05e87d21f2e@2c6576fe-99bc-486b-9807-8d19ee037a49?source=copyLinkOneEventsShareDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9a187345-0f9b-4a6b-bc58-f05e87d21f2e@2c6576fe-99bc-486b-9807-8d19ee037a49?source=copyLinkOneEventsShareDialog

Image description: Three smiling children stand side-by-side, holding a colourful parachute. Below, white text on a teal background reads: "Improving life chances webinar with Inspiring Scotland. 24th September - 2-3pm"