Fostering Compassion

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Ormiston, Scotland
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.

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!

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!

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!

21/07/2026

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

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.

06/07/2026

We will be bringing you some lovely news soon about a local Golf Club who has made Fostering Compassion their chosen charity for an upcoming fundraising day they are holding this month. Check back shortly for more details!

We are so grateful to everyone who fundraises for us!

27/06/2026

Absolutely love this 🥰💪🎉

Congratulations to Lasswade S3 and S4 pupils for successfully completing the first course of its kind in Midlothian to help equip young people with valuable employability.

01/06/2026

It's Volunteer Week! Our volunteers give so much to our organisation, without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Thank you to each and every one of you.

If you know anyone who might be interested in joining Fostering Compassion as a volunteer please get in touch

Fostering Compassion is a unique and innovative project, working with children who have been victims of abuse or neglect and who, because of their own traumatic start in life, find it hard to show compassion and empathy to fellow creatures.

27/05/2026

We'd love to say a big thank you to Brandon from Scottish Tech Army for the work he's done to help us update our IT systems. This is going make really positive changes to the way we work and we're really grateful for the time and work that Brandon volunteered. Thank You!

05/05/2026

We had a wonderful day on Saturday where all the children got the chance to "Be a vet for a day". We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did! As always, we'd like to say a massive thank you to all the vet students who put so much time and effort into bringing this workshop together! It really is so unique

Address

1d Cockburn Halls, Ormiston
Ormiston
EH355JB

Telephone

+441875393102

Website

https://www.fosteringcompassion.org/support-us

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