Fostering Compassion

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Fostering Compassion Unique and groundbreaking humane education project running animal and nature based workshops and activities for vulnerable and at risk children.

Fostering Compassion (www.fosteringcompassion.org) was developed under the umbrella of the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears (www.wintonbearfoundation.org). Fostering Compassion began in 2013 helping ten vulnerable and at risk children in East Lothian. In 2014 this increased to 50 children in three different regions of Scotland and now, in 2021 nearly 1000 children have benefited from the programme throughout Scotland. All children referred to the project have been subjected to or witnessed abuse, neglect and violence or have suffered as a result of parental substance misuse and are struggling to show compassion and empathy. Through Fostering Compassion we run animal and nature themed workshops and activities which help the children to see animals as sentient beings and help them gain a greater understanding of their own circumstances through the rescued animals stories, in turn, building the children’s feelings of self worth, self esteem and self confidence. Through the project we hope to play a part in reversing the negative cycle of abuse that can so often develop in these situations, turning potentially worrying behaviour into nurturing, caring and compassionate behaviour. The activities help the children find new and healthier ways to deal with difficult emotions, memories and feelings without even realising they are doing so.

🐾 What a fantastic session with Fostering Compassion! 💙Our children and carers enjoyed a wonderful experience learning a...
15/10/2026

🐾 What a fantastic session with Fostering Compassion! 💙

Our children and carers enjoyed a wonderful experience learning all about caring for elderly dogs and understanding the extra love, patience and support they need in their later years.

The group then got creative making a comfort parcel for an elderly dog preparing to move into a new home, filling it with thoughtful items to help make the transition a little easier and more comforting.

To top off the day, everyone spent some quality time with some amazing therapy dogs, enjoying plenty of cuddles, smiles and special moments.

A huge thank you to Fostering Compassion for delivering such an engaging, educational and heart warming session. It was lovely to see our fostering community coming together to learn about kindness, empathy and animal welfare. 🐶❤️

We have been super busy again this week with it being the school holidays. This week we held our 'Mr T's Tickles' worksh...
15/10/2026

We have been super busy again this week with it being the school holidays. This week we held our 'Mr T's Tickles' workshop in Grangemouth.

The children learned all about looking after older dogs and their needs. They made up a Box of Comfort for an older dog going to a new home.

Their craft activities included the Calm Down jars, Build a Dog and recognising doggy emotions. Thank you to all the team for their hard work - Christine, Lisa, Sheila, George and Lesley. And to the lovely Therapets for joining us. Another great workshop.

Day 2 of the amazing Empathy and Compassion in one Health Conference in Edinburgh. What an incredible mix of delegates f...
29/09/2026

Day 2 of the amazing Empathy and Compassion in one Health Conference in Edinburgh. What an incredible mix of delegates from around 12 countries worldwide coming together to spread the word re the importance of compassion and empathy across a multitude of disciplines and to others and importantly, to ourselves.

An intense and incredibly informative two days. Well done Holly, Lisa and Lesley for flying the flag for Fostering Compassion. Rest up this evening!

Three of the Fostering Compassion team, Holly, Lisa and Lesley are currently attending the two day Empathy and Compassio...
28/09/2026

Three of the Fostering Compassion team, Holly, Lisa and Lesley are currently attending the two day Empathy and Compassion in One Health Conference - Perspectives across disciplines, species and ecosystems hosted by Edinburgh University and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

We have a poster presentation and today gave an Elevator Pitch on Fostering Compassion leading to some exciting connections for the future. We're all very much looking forward to tomorrow!

Lovely 'Hollydays' session at Fostering Compassion this week in our gorgeous Woodland Haven Room.During Hollydays - the ...
03/09/2026

Lovely 'Hollydays' session at Fostering Compassion this week in our gorgeous Woodland Haven Room.

During Hollydays - the children learn all about rescued dog Holly who had four or five different homes before finding her forever home.

THANK YOU!!We want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Kilspindie Golf Club! During their annual event this year they...
25/08/2026

THANK YOU!!
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Kilspindie Golf Club! During their annual event this year they chose to donate funds raised to Fostering Compassion and we are so grateful. A particular mention to Rosy, Lady Captain of the club and her wonderful committee for choosing Fostering Compassion and running such a fantastic event, raising an incredible £2250! Fundraising continues to get more difficult so events like this have a bigger impact than ever for small charities and we are so appreciative. Thank You from all of us here at Fostering Compassion!

We are so grateful to our funders who make our valuable work with children and families possible. We have recently recei...
18/08/2026

We are so grateful to our funders who make our valuable work with children and families possible. We have recently received funding from Scottish Children's Lottery Jackpot Community Trust and we wanted to say a massive thank you as this money will allow us to offer a number of workshops to children from the local and surrounding areas. The work we do is helping to build empathy and compassion in children and young people who may be struggling with this. It is becoming more prevalant, with the need for our work to spread even further and we couldn't do it without fantastic funders like this. Thank You again!

In July we were delighted to host our 'Storytelling and Reading with Dogs' workshop for a group of East Lothian's Young ...
05/08/2026

In July we were delighted to host our 'Storytelling and Reading with Dogs' workshop for a group of East Lothian's Young Carers.

For this workshop we bring in professional Storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick from Stories Allways. Ruth tells the children a lovely interactive story and sings songs with them. The children then re-tell the story in their own words in their own little book, which they then read back to the lovely dogs. We were delighted to be joined by gorgeous Therapets Archie and Pirren who thoroughly enjoyed hearing the children's stories.

Another lovely and successful Fostering Compassion workshop!

Our little office helper today - the lovely Peach :-)
21/07/2026

Our little office helper today - the lovely Peach :-)

As promised – we have some lovely news to bring you. In June we were contacted by Rosy Jones the Lady Captain at Kilspin...
08/07/2026

As promised – we have some lovely news to bring you. In June we were contacted by Rosy Jones the Lady Captain at Kilspindie golf club in East Lothian. They run an Invitation Day every year where they nominate a charity to receive the proceeds from the day - usually raising around £1500 - £2000.

We are delighted to tell you they have chosen Fostering Compassion as their charity to receive funds raised and we are so grateful to Rosy and all at the Club for their kindness and generosity. The event takes place later this month, so we look forward to bringing you an update. Huge thanks to Rosy and all at Kilspindie Golf Club that has the most beautiful course overlooking the sea! Our Deputy CEO Lisa Williams, is pictured here with the Lady Captain, Rosy Jones.

Address

1d Cockburn Halls, Ormiston
Ormiston
EH355JB

Telephone

+441875393102

Website

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