Outside the Box

23/09/2026

The Intergenerational National Network (INN) brings together people across Scotland, and further afield, who have an interest in intergenerational and multigenerational working and practices. INN works to complement other people and organisations’ work to support intergenerational working and share what we are all learning.

For the October meeting, Outside the Box and the Climate Wisdom project are hosting a climate‑related session at Greener Kirkcaldy. Climate Wisdom is a dementia-inclusive climate action project.
Join us for an engaging day exploring all things climate action! The event will include:

-presentations from Climate Reality Leader Brenda Ainsley.
-opportunities to hear about the Climate Wisdom project and how people living with dementia are leading action in their communities.
- facilitated discussions exploring the climate-related challenges facing our communities and possible solutions.

The day will provide a supportive space to connect with others from across Scotland, exchange ideas, and build confidence to take meaningful climate action.

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided, please contact [email protected] with any dietary or access requirements. Free tickets can be found via the link in our bio

08/09/2026

As an organisation that works right across Scotland, it's a bonus when you do get to work in one community and build up relationships and connections over time. Outside the Box has been working consistently in West Dunbartonshire for over 8 years. Since 2018 we have been supporting the New Scots women's group, Moments of Freedom. We have been meeting with them fortnightly to facilitate peer support sessions and community gatherings and now we are supporting them as they become their own constituted community group.
We have also delivered human rights workshops as part of our Connecting Equalities project, and we are members of the West Dunbartonshire Equalities Forum.

Last week was a good example of the breadth of work we get to be involved in across West Dunbartonshire. On Tuesday we met with Moments of Freedom to help plan the rest of their 2026 sessions and walk along the canal. Walking is something the women don’t get to do often, and with the dark nights drawing in it was much nicer and safer to do it together in the daylight! The women have decided their focus should be on wellbeing and democracy for the rest of the year, planning some gardening, yoga, more walking, and even a casework surgery with Marie McNair MSP and Councillor Sophie Traynor. On Wednesday we attended the West Dunbartonshire Council Equalities Forum to hear more about the great work going on across the local authority. Finally, on Thursday we attended the West Dunbartonshire CVS Third Sector Forum.

If you are working in West Dunbartonshire, or you are keen to hear more about our work in the area, please do reach out to [email protected] You can find out more about Moments of Freedom on our website.

03/08/2026

Last week our Climate Wisdom team took a trip to Angus to visit Arbroath Connections and Kirrie Connections. We created foraged summer wreaths, upcycled bags and recycled raft building...there was something for everyone. It was lovely to hear what the Meeting Centres have been getting up to and a chance to see all of their climate creations, like this beautiful bottle cap butterfly in Arbroath! 🦋
https://otbds.org/projects/climate-wisdom/

01/07/2026

We had a lovely trip to Angus to meet with Montrose Connections, Meeting Centre and Lochside Connections this week. We heard all about what the members have been getting up to as part of our project and we got stuck into making summer wreaths and bug hotels. Thanks for having us and we can’t wait to come back soon! 🌻

Meeting Centres Scotland

17/06/2026

A huge thank you to all who attended Moments of Freedom's event yesterday in Centre81. We had a brilliant day, full of great conversations and lovely food ☕️

11/06/2026

It's not long until Moments of Freedom's event. Please come and join us next Tues 16th June from 12.30pm in Centre 81, Clydebank!

05/06/2026

Today is World Environment Day

Last year on World Environment Day we launched our Climate Wisdom project.  Climate Wisdom is a dementia-inclusive climate action project. The project brings together people living with dementia, their care partners and their communities to co-create practical, creative and rights-based responses to climate change. The 5-year  project  brings together 15 Meeting Centres across Angus, Fife & Tayside to collaborate alongside project partners Outside the Box,  Meeting Centres Scotland, The Institute for Place, Environment and Society at the University of Heriot-Watt and the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York. 

Find out more about the broad aims of the project and how we have been achieving them in our latest blog https://otbds.org/world-environment-day-2026/

18/05/2026

The women of Moments of Freedom warmly invite you to join them on Tuesday 16th June for their event ☕️
Earlier this year the group became constituted after 9 years of meeting fortnightly in Centre81, Clydebank. Outside the Box were first introduced to the group back in 2017 through a West Dunbartonshire Council resettlement officer and we have continued to work with and support them.
The group has gone from strength to strength and over the years they have held events, networked with a wide range of groups across Scotland, established strong working relationships with their elected representatives and even influenced Scottish policy through the New Scots Integration Strategy.
This event marks an important milestone in their journey as a New Scots women's group, and they are hoping to bring together community members, organisations and elected representatives to celebrate. Please do join us from 12:30pm - 2pm for free food, refreshments, creative activities and a chance to chat to the group.

The Moments of Freedom group will host a community gathering bringing together local residents, community groups, local workers, elected representatives, organisations and New Scots to celebrate the next stage in their journey as a constituted community group. The event will provide free food, refre...

12/05/2026

With our new MSPs now in Holyrood and beginning to return to casework or set up offices in communities across Scotland, now is a good time to get in touch them 📨
Our Connecting Equalities resource 'What to Do After Elections', explains what you can do between elections and how you can get involved.
It’s important to remember that politics doesn’t just happen on polling or election days, it happens all year round. By working with your elected representatives, you can help make positive change and improve our communities.
https://otbds.org/what-to-do-after-an-election/

06/05/2026

We are all calling on all Party Leaders ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary Election tomorrow to support the inclusion of a named and dedicated Minister for Older People in the next Scottish Government. Make sure you have your say tomorrow, polling stations are open from 7am - 10pm🗳️
Age Scotland