Inspiring Scotland
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inspiringscotland.bsky.social
Inspiring Scotland
@inspiringscotland.bsky.social
350 followers 150 following 110 posts
We identify and solve problems on a national scale, working together for a Scotland without poverty or disadvantage.
https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/
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It's great to see the Bright Start Breakfasts funding in action across Scottish breakfast clubs, offering a combination of nourishment, play, and support to over 20,000 children and their families! 🍎🤸🏽👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Graphic titled Breakfast club investment across Scotland, showing map of Scotland with shaded areas going from light to dark brown. There's a list of all Local Authority areas with the amount of organisations invested in to deliver new and expanded breakfast clubs in each. Among the darkest shaded LA areas with the most investment are Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, Glasgow, Fife, and West Dunbartonshire. Photo of children having breakfast at school and a Quote: “The Bright Start Breakfasts funding has made a real difference for our children and families. By ensuring pupils begin their day well-nourished and ready to learn, we have seen improved attendance, greater engagement in lessons, and a positive impact on attainment. Just as importantly, it has strengthened the nurturing ethos at Neilston Primary, helping us create a welcoming and supportive environment where every child can thrive.” – Gerard Curley, Head Teacher, Neilston Primary School Photo of children having breakfast at school and a Quote: “The expansion of breakfast club services is an integral part of our mission to eradicate child poverty. Breakfast clubs are community staples and provide a g for less than a year, and we are still finding our feet with it, but are in no doubt that it is a much needed and welcomed club. We're extremely grateful.” – Orla Bell, Treasurer, Cornton Out of School Care, Stirling Quote by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville: “The expansion of breakfast club services is an integral part of our mission to eradicate child poverty. Breakfast clubs are community staples and provide a warm, friendly place for children to start their day in the best possible way, while supporting parents to work or study. Alongside our free school meals programme, which is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils, we are ensuring that children, regardless of circumstances beyond their control, are afforded the opportunities they deserve. While we know that a good breakfast can improve school attendance, learning and health, these clubs also help to address food insecurity for families. That’s why we are putting more money in people’s pockets by delivering real savings and this is, in turn, is helping to build a fairer Scotland.”
October 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
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Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being consistent, listening, and helping a young person feel seen and supported.

Could that be you?

Learn more about becoming a mentor: www.intandem.scot/get-involved...
Graphic reads: Right now, intandem volunteers are having a positive impact on the lives of young people across 20 local authorities. But we know there are more who urgently need our support. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can show up, listen, and make a lasting difference. Could that person be you?#NationalMentoringDay
October 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
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Today is #NationalMentoringDay – an opportunity to recognise the difference that a caring and consistent adult can make to a young person’s life.

👇 Every quote comes from someone who’s seen the impact of intandem mentoring, our programme for children and young people experiencing the care system.
Graphic reads: “I went to the library with (my mentor) and read my first big book. I now love reading books and am really good in English class now as well.” Quote by Young person Graphic reads:“He thrives with his mentor and it’s his favourite day of the week.” Quote by Brother and carer of young person Graphic reads: “Having a mentor has made a huge difference. She has more confidence and is willing to try new things.” Quote by Parent of young person Graphic reads: “Mentoring has shown me how small acts of kindness, giving my time and being consistent can make a huge difference in someone else's life.” Quote by Mentor
October 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
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Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund - Applications now closed!

Thank you to everyone who applied to the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund, which will extend provision of these facilities across Scotland’s communities.

Decisions will be announced in early December.
Graphic with Changing Places Toilets Fund logo on white and blue background reads: Applications now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. Decisions will be announced in early December.
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
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🚨 Call for Campaign Ideas

We're inviting applications to support early-stage campaigning projects that tackle social injustice across Scotland.

- £3,000–£10,000
- 12 months
- Deadline: 21 Nov 2025

Find out more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/ideas-f...
Graphic announcing: Call for Campaign Ideas - Small Grants Available. Application deadline: 21 November 2025. There are logos of Inspiring Scotland, Changing Ideas, and Ideas for Change, and three photographs - a crowd at a protest, a person giving a speech at a conference, and a group of people working together at a table.
October 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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Let’s act now to reduce online harm.

We’ve created a Call to Action outlining practical steps we need to take to build a safer digital future for our children and young people.

📢 Add your voice as an individual or organisation: survey.alchemer.com/s3/8478436/S...
Graphic on purple and grey background, with an icon of an online form, reads: Our children and young people are suffering as a result of online harm. We need to act now. Call to Action on Reducing Online Harm. Commit to our statement if you agree we need to create a safer digital future for our children and young people.
October 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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Soft Skills Are the Hard Currency of Youth Employment

Our Future Now, our 10 year youth employability fund, isn't just about CVs and job applications. It's about investing in the “soft stuff” - and that’s precisely what makes it powerful.

www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
#challengepovertyweek
October 7, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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2 weeks left to apply for the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund to cover project and development costs, open to non-profits & small businesses.

Find out more, watch our info session, look through updated FAQs on our website 👇
inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/changin...
Graphic with the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund logo and text: Non-profits and small businesses can apply for the project and development costs associated with building a Changing Places Toilet. The application deadline is Monday 20th October at 12pm (midday). At the bottom there are logos of Inspiring Scotland, PAMIS, and the Scottish Government.
October 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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We continue to evolve the programme and seek further investment to grow the scale and sustainability of the fund. A further £200,000 has now been awarded in a second round of funding to 16 ambitious community-led projects that will breathe new life into local environments across Scotland.
Community-led nature restoration projects across Scotland. A map of Scotland showing location pins and names of projects funded through the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund, some in Sept 2024 and others in May 2025
October 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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In its first round, NEF awarded £167,000 to 14 community groups, funding a wide range of development activities - from wetland creation in Ayrshire and peatland restoration on Skye to urban greenspace enhancement in Edinburgh and citizen science in Galloway.
PLUS Perth and Kinross received £12,633 to transform a neglected area in Perth city centre into a vibrant green space that supports biodiversity and community engagement. The project developed a community-led biodiversity plan and delivered environmental education through film festival events, expert talks, and volunteer opportunities, while also building local capacity through climate emergency training. With a lease secured from Perth & Kinross Council, they aim to establish a nature area at Ropemakers Close and expand its ecological value. They have also gained in-kind support from a local building company and are actively fundraising for infrastructure and long-term site management. Uigshader Living Forest Project received £13,500 to support community-led restoration of degraded peatland and improve ecosystem health on a former commercial tree plantation. They offered volunteer opportunities to build local understanding and long-term stewardship, employing a peatland restoration officer to lead activities, host expert talks, and ensure safe, effective participation. Over 300 people engaged through events like ‘peatland open days’. With an expanded and trained volunteer team, the project now enters a new phase focused on restoring peatland across the site and monitoring biodiversity changes over the next 1–3 years.
October 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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This #ScotClimateWeek, we’re spotlighting community-led action for nature recovery across Scotland 💚🌱

Read about some of the projects funded through the
Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund (NEF) - a multi-funder initiative developed by Inspiring Scotland to support community-led ecosystem restoration.
Kilsture Forest Community Group received £13,350 to develop an interactive map documenting forest conditions, habitats, and key species through citizen science. They hired an environmental project manager and collaborated with experts to deliver four key strands: the successful ‘Kilsture1000 Challenge’ which recorded 470 new species and rare finds; a wetlands survey with Galloway Fisheries Trust revealing reversed water flow and restoration potential; a woodland condition assessment by trained volunteers; and the creation of an interactive map by South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre. Looking ahead, they are planning a full wetland restoration feasibility study, expanded species monitoring, and ongoing seasonal woodland assessments to support long-term ecological monitoring. PLUS Perth and Kinross received £12,633 to transform a neglected area in Perth city centre into a vibrant green space that supports biodiversity and community engagement. The project developed a community-led biodiversity plan and delivered environmental education through film festival events, expert talks, and volunteer opportunities, while also building local capacity through climate emergency training. With a lease secured from Perth & Kinross Council, they aim to establish a nature area at Ropemakers Close and expand its ecological value. They have also gained in-kind support from a local building company and are actively fundraising for infrastructure and long-term site management.
October 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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For the last six years, we have been delivering Our Future Now, supporting young people to unlock their potential - making them resilient, motivated, and employable for the long term.

Read more in our latest impact report: inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/our-fut...
Graphic with text and impact data from the Our Future Now Impact report. We are investing in young people who are at risk of not fulfilling their potential. The return on that investment is not just individual - it is national. Healthier, happier, more employable young people means stronger communities, reduced pressure on public services, and a Scotland that thrives. Our Future Now is the vehicle that makes this happen - proven, purposeful, and with potential to grow. Acting collectively, we can build a future where every young person, no matter their background, has the chance to succeed, contribute, and belong. Impact Data April 2024 - March 2025: 5,428 Young People Supported; 24,494 Soft Outcomes ; 10,826 Progression Milestones ; 3,077 Employability Outcomes. More impact data stories can be found in the Impact report linked in the post.
September 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
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Creative Communities Scotland - Applications now closed!

Thank you to everyone who applied to the Creative Communities Scotland fund.

Our team will now begin reviewing applications, with decisions to be announced at the end of November.

#CreativeCommunities #CreativeCommunitiesScotland
Image shows Creative Communities Scotland logo, with a purple band at the top and bottom of the page. The Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland logos are both at the bottom. Text on the page reads: "Applications now closed. Decisions will be announced at the end of November 2025. On the right is an image of a person with craft items including paper, tape, coloured pens and scissors.
September 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
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Considering applying for our funding to build a Changing Places Toilet but have questions?

Join our info session on 18 Sept at 12PM to find out more about the fund and ask questions to us and the team at @pamis-scotland.bsky.social

Book your space here 👉 www.tickettailor.com/events/inspi...
Simple graphic with text: Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund information session. Thu 18 Sep 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM BST Online, Zoom. At the bottom there are logos of Inspiring Scotland, PAMIS, and Scottish Government
September 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
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Join our upcoming workshop with the Scottish Tech Army - Ask Me Anything Digital - to discover how technology can help your charity improve its reach, impact and effectiveness.

📅 Tuesday 16th September
🕐 13:00-14:00
📍Online (Teams)

Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e94a66...
August 27, 2025 at 8:57 AM
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These insights have helped shine a light on what we have previously heard anecdotally: perinatal and infant mental health services are essential, yet severely under-funded and stretched beyond capacity.

Read the full report here: inspiringscotland.org.uk/wp-content/u...
FUNDING FRAGILITY AND IMBALANCE Third-sector organisations rely on a patchwork of funding sources, many of which are short-term and unstable. Despite high referral rates from statutory health and social work services, many organisations receive little or no funding from these services, creating a disconnect between demand and investment. NEED FOR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AND ADVOCACY Both sectors recognise the need for sustainable funding and strategic planning to ensure continuity of care. There is a shared call for greater recognition of the third-sector's role in delivering essential mental health support There is a desire from third- sector organisations to amplify the voices of families in shaping future services. A NEED TO MOVE BEYOND TH SHORT TERM Public service reform presents a vital opportunity to rebalance funding, strengthen recognition of the third sector, and build sustainable, inclusive systems of care for Scotland' babies, infants, children and families. A national conversation is needed one that listens to those working on the front line, values their expertise and invests in the future. Read more more about the survey, and our findings, in the full report above.
August 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
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Under pressure but full of potential: an insights report on third-sector perinatal and infant mental health services in Scotland

To continue changing lives, services need greater recognition, sustained investment, and long-term support.

Read more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/under-pressu...
Title graphic introducing A sector under pressure, but full of potential - Key headlines from our insights survey into Perinatal and Infant Mental Health third sector services. Text is on teal background with an arrow pointing to the right, inviting the viewer to click on the next image to read more. COMPLEX AND INCREASING NEEDS: Third sector services are supporting families with moderate to severe mental health concerns, challenging the assumption that community-based services are for mild to moderate needs. only Referrals are increasing in their complexity, with families presenting with trauma, poverty- related stress, and co-occurring issues such as substance use and domestic violence STRONG STRAINED REFERRAL RELATIONSHIPS Health visitors midwives, and other statutory services are the primary referrers to third sector PIMH services. While collaboration is valued, reduced capacity and unclear referral pathways are limiting the effectiveness of these relationships. SHARED COMMITMENT to COLLABORATION Both sectors express a genuine willingness to strengthen partnerships, co-deliver services, and improve communication. There is a shared ambition to enhance early intervention, particularly through ante-natal engagement and whole-family approaches.
August 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
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More funding through the Outdoor Community Play fund! 🤸🌟
We’ve just launched a new incubator programme for community groups in rural and remote areas to create more free, child-led outdoor play opportunities 👇
inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/ocp-inc...
Outdoor Community Play Incubator Programme graphic with text and images. Text reads: Grants of up to £5000 and capacity building support for rural and remote community groups to deliver free, child-led outdoor play opportunities. Applications open: 1 September 2025. Applications deadline: 22 September 2025. Three slightly overlapping circles with photos of children playing outside.
August 13, 2025 at 1:21 PM
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New £320,000 fund opens for community-led arts in Scotland 🎭

Creative Communities Scotland aims to support and empower communities to develop cultural activities that benefit individual and collective wellbeing.

Find out more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/new-320000-f...
Graphic with an image of a woman pointing at a tapestry she contributed to making as part of Creative Communities funding, and text announcing a new programme, Creative Communities Scotland, is now accepting applications. Supporting grassroots organisations using creativity to boost wellbeing across Scotland. Up to £35,000 for projects to be delivered between January - December 2026. Projects will involve hands-on, participatory creative activity in any art form. Deadline for applications: 18th September 2025.
August 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
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The new £10 million Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund is now open for applications!

This Scottish Government fund will support the creation of up to 150 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland.

Find out more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/changin...
@pamis-scotland.bsky.social
A poster announces that applications are now open for the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund. It invites non-profits and small businesses to apply for funding to support the development of fully accessible toilet facilities, with a deadline of Monday 20th October at 12pm. The poster includes logos for Inspiring Scotland, Scottish Government, and PAMIS, alongside a photo of a fully equipped Changing Places Toilet
August 7, 2025 at 11:39 AM
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We had a great time yesterday at the PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) National Play Day! 🥳
So many children and families enjoying play, creativity, and community. Huge thanks to @peekscot.bsky.social for having us!
Elaine is standing on a grass pitch, holding a colourful 'meteor' made of newspaper and streamers. She's smiling into the camera, with children and families walking behind her. Grass and road with a fence. There is a big painted fake slice of a cake and muffin standing in front of the fence, which has four big painted letters leaning on it. The white letters read out PEEK on a red background with celebratory doodles.
July 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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🎉 Nine charities have been awarded a share of the £2.5m Autistic Adult Support Fund – supporting autistic adults to understand what neurodivergence means for them & improve their wellbeing.

Read more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/support...
July 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
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What if every young person experiencing the care system had a mentor when they needed one?

Mentoring can be life-changing, if it’s available. In our latest blog, our intandem team explore why mentoring should be a core part of the support system.

📝Read inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/mentori...
Graphic with a photo of a young person and a woman standing in front of blossoming trees, looking into the camera, and a box with white background and text "Mentoring matters: Why it’s vital for young people experiencing the ‘care system’" and intandem and Inspiring Scotland logos
July 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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Funding awarded to support 490 breakfast clubs 🥣🏫

It’s more than just a meal – it’s a chance for children to start their day right. The Bright Start Breakfasts fund will help provide healthy breakfasts and before-school childcare across Scotland.

Read more: inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/bright-...
Text on light yellow background: Funding awarded to support 490 breakfast clubs. Combining the provision of healthy and nutritious breakfast food with before-school supervision or childcare. Photo of two children sitting in front of a school eating apples.
June 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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We have a new resource for practitioners working with babies, children and families in nature - Starting out to Play:
thriveoutdoors.org.uk/resource/sta...

Developed with parents and early years practitioners with expertise from childhood play, learning & health sectors.
A group of adults, babies and young children standing and sitting among trees and tall grass, they are (mostly) looking into the camera and holding up copies of the Starting out to Play guidance. Woman playing with a young child on a blanket surrounded by tall grass. Two small children being supported by their parents to stand on a blanket in nature, with the Starting out to Play guidance lying in front of them. Title page of Starting Out to Play Guidance: Discovering nature with babies and young children – Guidance for practitioners working with parents, families, and carers. There are three images of babies and young children - jumping in a puddle, being carried in a scarf, and observing a flower
June 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM