Case Studies

Participation and involvement: listening to those with direct experience

We believe that change is best informed and driven by the people who have direct experience. Over the year Inspiring Scotland has been supporting best practice in the development of services and programmes that are directed by individuals and where people have a respected and equal voice in decisions that affect them. This can include

Inspiring Scotland’s Specialist Volunteer Network

For a charitable organisation, having access to a broad range of professional skills can be challenging when resources are already stretched. Whether seeking IT or marketing expertise, financial or legal advice, a trusteeship or practical help, Inspiring Scotland’s Specialist Volunteer Network (SVN) can step in. The Specialist Volunteer Network (SVN) is one of Inspiring Scotland’s

Dean’s story: “My life has changed quite a bit and it’s pretty good.”

“I was homeless at 16. It was tough. I was alone and living on the streets.” Dean left home and moved to Oban to escape the emotional and physical abuse he had suffered at the hands of his family since childhood. He soon became homeless and was unable to complete his school exams. In

Anna’s Story: “Link Up has been Life-Changing”

Link Up works closely with people in communities facing significant social and economic challenges, to improve wellbeing and bring people together. Anna* tells her story of the support she received from the work of Link Up in the Gallatown. Poverty, deprivation, social exclusion and lack of opportunities have had a massively detrimental impact in the

Chris’ story: “people helping people”

In his 50s, Chris has led a violent life. He has been involved in gang activity and spent long periods in prison. He had attended mental health support groups and clinics over a long period and had been held in secure units for severe mental health issues. He felt “he had no control” over his

Ashleigh’s story: “I finally have a plan for the future”

For Ashleigh, joining Link Up’s North West Archery Club in 2015 was the spark for a period of remarkable change for her; one which has given her, perhaps for the first time in her life, a sense of direction and purpose. Ashleigh was a young carer for various members of her family throughout her childhood

Tammie’s story: “I’m learning it’s okay to ask for help”

Having struggled with substance misuse for most of her adult life, Tammie has used her volunteering experience through Link Up to turn her life around. Because of Tammie’s circumstances, her daughter went into her grandmother’s care in 2016. Wanting to be a positive role model for her daughter and to regain custody of her, as

Kieran’s story: “They helped me get into college”

Keiran shows that with determination and the right support, everyone can achieve their goals and make a fresh start. Keiran has a difficult relationship with his father due to his father’s alcohol misuse, and lives with foster parents for part of the week. He has dyslexia, and struggled to read and write, but despite these

AD’s story: “I’m heavy proud of myself”

AD* was referred to Tullochan Futures by a local children’s unit. At the start of the project, AD was involved in serious anti-social activities within the community. He refused to engage with school and had been involved with the criminal justice system. On the first day of the Tullochan Futures programme AD was extremely disruptive,

AM’s story

AM* knew that he always wanted a career in hospitality and was determined to get there, but after failing to complete his education following abuse regarding his race and ethnicity, he needed help to overcome the barriers he faced. AM was paired with a Young Persons’ Practitioner from the Skills Team who told him all

Cassie’s story: “I got my life back.”

Two years ago Cassie Scott feared to face the world. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, she fell into a deeper darkness when she was then domestically abused by her partner at the time. “I went downhill. I started to drink excessively and use drugs daily to numb the pain. Everybody noticed that the happy

An extraordinary, positive journey: 10 years of support for Action for Children Scotland

When Action for Children Scotland applied to the 14:19 Fund in 2008, it had just begun a pilot employability programme for young people. The charity had a long history and pedigree in supporting vulnerable young people with difficult childhood experiences who, as a result, faced multiple and complex challenges holding down a job or succeeding

Inspiring Scotland Pro Bono Supporter Elaine Speirs helps FairShare Glasgow

Inspiring Scotland Pro Bono Supporter Elaine Speirs helps FairShare Glasgow to help more and more people by helping them make their processes more streamline.

Kevin’s Story: Faith in myself

My life could have so easily have turned out a different way if it wasn’t for FARE. I didn’t have the best start in life. In fact, those early years were pretty tough. Living in the east end of Glasgow, I was brought up by a single parent household and my Dad died when I

Family group promotes fitness and friendships

Responding to local people’s concerns about obesity and low levels of physical activity, Link Up Whitfield teamed up with the Dundee Healthy Living Initiative, One Parent Families Scotland and a local fitness instructor to run a small-scale 12-week cooking and physical activity programme. Family Fun Fit focused on both cooking healthy meals as a family

Link Up group offers vital support to stay in recovery

Hugh (not his real name) is in his forties and has been attending one of Link Up’s men’s groups since March 2014. He had a drug addiction until he managed to get off them approximately ten years ago. “Getting off the drugs isn’t just about stopping taking them, it’s about changing everything. I had to

Archery group engages the community and transforms lives

When residents in an East Ayrshire neighbourhood set up an Archery Group in January 2012 there were doubts about its viability. More than five years later and the group is a thriving pillar of the community. Attracting adults and young people, the group has led to increased levels of social interaction in the area.

Privileged access to a leading international law firm

For many charities, negotiating complex property leases or dealing with difficult HR issues can have a serious effect on their day-to-day work simply because they lack the financial resources and capacity to deal with them. Thanks to our Specialist Volunteer Network, several charities have been able to access free expert legal advice with law

Organisational transformation – Murton Trust

In 2009 Murton Trust for Education and the Environment’s journey changed when they secured 10 years support from Inspiring Scotland. At the time of investment the organisation had two staff running a 200 acre site. It was home to a 180 acre nature reserve and a 20 acre site that the staff and trustees had

#SDSblether week

How does a good conversation support people to get the help and reassurance they are looking for? How can the principles of SDS be applied when people are not eligible for a social care budget? iConnect North East is a local independent support organisation in Aberdeen city that provides information and advice on Self Directed

Financial modelling – KPMG work with Calman Trust

Deploying the invaluable expertise from pro bono supporters Inverness based 14:19 Fund venture, Calman Trust, is an ambitious and innovative charity. It combines its work supporting young people to overcome challenges with its social enterprise businesses so young people benefit from real life work experience. Calman’s existing social enterprises include the award winning Café Artysans

Golfhill Primary School

Golfhill Primary School in Glasgow’s Dennistoun area has been taking part in the Glasgow Active Play programme, run by go2play with funding from Glasgow City Council Education. The programme has been delivered by go2play partner charity PEEK and involves weekly Active Play sessions in school, separate from PE and break time, for primary 4 pupils.

Edinburgh Play Rangers

Inspiring Scotland has created an innovative collaboration between three charities and a local authority who are working together to reach the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in Edinburgh and engage children and families through play. As part of the citywide Edinburgh Play Ranger project, Community Play Rangers facilitate outdoor play in communities. Play Rangers bring ideas and free resources and the

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Case Studies

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