We’re an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We want to deliver the best possible quality of support to people so they are heard, respected, safe and in control of their own life.
We believe that everyone, regardless of situation, illness or disability, has a right to:
> be heard and respected
> have the same choice, control and freedom as any other person
> be safe from violence, discrimination, harm or abuse
Everything we do is focused on achieving this aim.
Our mission is empowering people with M.E. to fulfil their potential and secure the care and support they need, while working towards a greater understanding of the illness and ultimately a cure.
Advocacy gives people a voice, standing up for their rights, concerns, views and wishes ensuring they are listened to as they engage with services.
Everyone can, at times, feel vulnerable when dealing with people in authority. At You First Advocacy we empower individuals to change this by speaking for them or supporting them to speak for themselves.
We assist people who live in Renfrewshire who have mental health problems, physical disabilities, learning disabilities plus older people
You First Advocacy is an independent service.
We are a network dedicated to bringing about a 70% reduction in child abuse and neglect by the year 2030 – we are the 70/30 Campaign. 70/30 is not just another campaign - it is part of a highly-developed, long-term, ground-breaking action plan to stop child abuse and neglect from ever beginning. We call this Primary Prevention. The 70/30 Campaign was created by the WAVE Trust charity.
Searchlight Scotland was founded in 2018 with a drive and hope to see societies most vulnerable receive trauma informed care and support in order for them to live the life that they deserve.
Over the past few years we have seen many individuals come through our doors and start a journey to freedom from addiction, abuse, exploitation and many other life controlling issues. We are passionate about providing specialised care to those who have suffered trauma in their lives.
We have a vision and a drive to identify and rescue those who are trapped in the travesty of human trafficking. We want to raise awareness and provide training to front line professionals to see as many individuals identified in Scotland as we can. We have a passion to see slavery ended in Scotland in our life time.
We are committed to expanding and developing our services to see the long lasting recovery and restoration of many more individuals who have found themselves in very dark situations.
Carers Link is the local organisation dedicated to carers and we provide a range of services for people who live or care within the East Dunbartonshire area.
Our Vision:
Carers want to see the person they care for have the best possible quality of life.
Carers Link wants to see the Carers of East Dunbartonshire also have the best possible quality of life, encompassing help and support for your caring role, and the opportunity to pursue your own needs, interests or work.
Carers Link wants to see that the Carers of East Dunbartonshire are both informed and involved and that your experience as a Carer is respected and valued.
To offer a hollistic approach to promote physical, emotional and practical wellbeing. To offer practical advice, support and training and liase with other support organisations to assist the individual to overcome any physical, emotional and spiritual barriers thus improving the quality of life for them and their families. To network and partner with other organisations in order to offer a wider variety of resources for individuals and their families.
We are a value based organisation focused on delivering issue based advocacy that is independent, confidential and accessible to all who experience vulnerability.
We support and promote the development of high standards and principles in independent advocacy at a local and a national level, in partnership with, and independently of, other organisations.
We defend the rights of those in most need to services and to inclusion in the planning of those services, and we work towards empowering them to take part, and also influence service providers to listen to those that use their services.
Aberdeen Women's Alliance are a small, local, charity that was set up in 2004. Our aim is to enable Aberdeen womens' voices to be better heard by decision-makers. Since 2013 we have also run a successful local women's history project. Most recently during the pandemic, we have worked with our partners to make sure some disadvantaged women are having their basic needs met.
CAPS is an independent advocacy organisation for people who use or have used mental health services. We are completely independent from the people who fund us and those who provide other services to the people we work with. We provide individual and collective advocacy in East Lothian and Midlothian. We also host several experience-led projects across Lothian.
Founded in 1911, Macmillan Cancer Relief (formerly Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund) works to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Each year they help more than 200,000 people throughout the UK. They provide funding for Macmillan nurses, doctors and other posts, provide patient grants, fund building developments or refurbishments and provide an information service. They can help by giving benefits advice and showing you how to fill in forms and apply for grants. Find local services on the website.
a) To advance citizenship and community development by assisting voluntary, charitable, social enterprise and community organisations (collectively referred to as the THIRD Sector) and volunteers to thrive and develop;
b) To advance health and relieve poverty by supporting third and public sector organisations and volunteers to deliver high quality services and activities to vulnerable groups and by operating appropriate projects to deliver services in the local authority area;
c) To advance education through the provision of appropriate training to Third Sector organisations, volunteer involving organisations, public sector bodies, volunteers, potential volunteers and local citizens.
Deaf Links provides a wide range of services, activities and learning opportunities for Deaf, hard of hearing and sensory impaired people.
Services include:
Provide British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3
Deaf and deafblind Awareness Training to service providers, organisations and communities
Lipreading Classes
Volunteering
Employability opportunities for deaf and sensory impaired people and volunteers
Sensory Social Group
Relaxation Classes
Health Information Sessions
Keep Safe Place
3rd Party Reporting Site for Police Scotland – report with support
IT Support Drop-In – bring your laptop, tablet or phone if you need help
Counselling service
Our commitment is to ensure that people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are valued both as individuals and in the contribution people make to the community. That people receive all the support they need to realise their potential. To ensure that peoples right to a full life shaped by personal choice, abilities and needs underlies all provision and policy affecting their lives. That the knowledge and experience of family carers is recognised, and that their views are fully taken into account in service development.
There is a diverse range of work carried out - both on the ground and behind the scenes - to help secure the future of bats in our changing world.
The Bat Conservation Trust supports local bat groups across the UK and over 6000 members. We work with volunteers, scientists, industry and government both locally and nationally on a range of projects. To achieve our vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together, our work focuses on discovering more about bats and how they use the landscape, taking action to protect bats and enhance the landscapes on which they rely, inspiring people about bats and their environment, engaging them in their conservation and strengthen our work by building skills, resources, motivation and understanding.
Fife Young Carers (SCIO) is a local charity committed to improving the support and information provided to young carers in Fife. We aim to provide support for children and young people aged 8-25 years who care for family members who have one of the following: Long Term illness; Mental ill health; Physical disability; Learning disability; Drug or Alcohol misuse. We provide person-centred support through group sessions, one-to-one sessions, advocacy, school support, young adult carer transition support and befriending. We provide opportunities for young carers to have a break from their caring role. Fife Young Carers also raises awareness of young carers and their support needs.
Children 1st is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity.
We began in 1884 and for many years were known as the RSSPCC (Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). We became Children 1st in 1995. We did this to say that children are at the heart of everything we do. And that not only do we want to prevent harm - we also want to ensure every child gets the love and nurture they deserve.
We help Scotland’s families to put children first, with practical advice and with support in difficult times. And when the worst happens, we support survivors of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic events in childhood, to recover.
Home-Start East Fife have been supporting families across East Fife for over 30 years. Every year 20 - 30 trained volunteers support an average of 60 families with around 170 children. Home-Start East Fife has a staff team of four who work with the Board of Trustees to train and support volunteers so they in turn can support families. Support takes two forms: home-visiting and Family Support Groups. Home-visiting volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week to offer friendship and support, whether parents need an extra pair of hands, help to get out, or just some adult company and a listening ear. In this rural area of North East Fife, social isolation is one of the recurring reasons families are referred to us. Families are referred to us by health visitors, social workers, community psychiatric nurses and other local professionals, or parents can refer themselves. In addition to home-visiting volunteers, Home-Start East Fife runs three Family Support Groups, in Auchtermuchty, St Andrews and Cupar. The Family Support Groups are only for families referred to Home-Start East Fife. They provide a safe and stimulating environment for our parents and their pre-school children. Within the groups, our Family Support Group Co-ordinator and volunteers organise activities aimed at improving parenting skills and promoting positive interaction between parent and child and within their peer groups. Family Support Groups also provide a supportive environment and information exchange for parents experiencing difficulties. The children are given healthy snacks, and have access to educational toys and an environment that allows for physical activity.
We are Scotland’s health charity supporting people and their families across Scotland with Chest, Heart and Stroke conditions. We want to make sure people living with one of these conditions are living life to the full. We will advocate for better health for everyone and work to make sure there is help and support in every community. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to.
Across Scotland, over 1 million people are living with the effects of Chest, Heart and Stroke conditions. We will support people by providing advice, information, and support through our No Life Half Lived strategy across Scotland. These services include our Advice Line, Stroke Nurse Service, Community Support Service, Health Information, Health Defence, Education and E-learning and our Peer Support Groups.
Rape Crisis Grampian is a voluntary organisation providing vital support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse and challenging the misconceptions which surround these issues-services/support is available to both women and men.
Meal Makers has been brought to Scotland by the award winning charity Food Train and is proudly sponsored by the Scottish Government and the Tank Foundation. It is a free, local neighbourhood food-sharing project that connects volunteers who have a passion for cooking and want to be active in their communities (Cooks), with older neighbours (Diners) who would appreciate a home cooked meal.
Include Me recruits, trains and supports volunteers to become citizen advocates for vulnerable adults aged 16-65 in North East Fife. The development workers accept referrals from any source and the work to identify the best possible volunteer match for that individual. The organisation works with individuals affected by physical or learning disability, mental health issues (including Personality Disorder), chronic illness, Autism Spectrum Disorder, early onset Dementia and Acquired Brain Injury.
VisionPK provides a range of specialist services for those who are visually impaired, deaf, deafened or hard of hearing in Perth and Kinross, enabling them to live independently on their own terms.
These services includes rehabilitation and habilitation services; specialist equipment assessment and provision; information, advice and support, groups and clubs.
We support victims of crime, witnesses and their family members, regardless of who they are and their circumstances. Our service is independent, free, non-judgemental and confidential. We offer bespoke support, personalised to the needs of each individual.
Victim Support Scotland provides information, practical help, emotional support and guidance through the criminal justice system. We offer specialist services to support people who face specific crimes including murder, terrorism, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence and hate crime. We empower people to cope with the aftermath of a crime and find the strength to move forward with their lives.
We have dedicated volunteers, supported by paid staff, in our national and local offices across Scotland, as well as our teams in the Sheriff and High Courts, helping us to provide high quality support to those affected by crime.
Victim Support Scotland represents the voice of people affected by crime. We influence key national policy decision-making to champion victim and witness rights and improve support services.
We advocate for positive improvements within the criminal justice system, working alongside our partners in the key criminal justice agencies, the third sector and local organisations.
Bethany Christian Trust is a Scottish Christian social action organisation that aims to transform the lives of vulnerable people and local communities across Scotland.
Our aim is that people living with Cystic Fibrosis will have access to the support they need to ensure they can benefit from optimum homecare and enjoy the best quality of life in the community.
RSPB Scotland is part of the RSPB, the UK charity that speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing - help us to keep it that way
YMCA Glenrothes has been providing learning and leisure opportunities for over 60 years, offering a friendly and welcoming community space. "The Y" has grown to be one of the largest voluntary organisations in the area, spread over three sites- all of which deliver community opportunities. Two sites also provide supported accommodation.
The charity is supported by many volunteers who give regular and consistent service.
YMCA Glenrothes is an independent local charity that is governed by local volunteers from Fife, and is affiliated to the worldwide YMCA movement. The charity works with many organisations across Fife, as well as YMCAs across Scotland.
Wellbeing Scotland is a voluntary organisation with services across Scotland. We provide a wide range of holistic services for individuals and families whose life experiences have impacted negatively on their wellbeing. Since 1994 we have offered client centred, holistic, trauma informed therapeutic services and have specialised in abuse and trauma work. We work with both children and adults.
Equal Futures has been supporting people with an additional support need to make connections since its foundation by family carers in 2002. We work with adults (18 years plus) with an additional support need, this could be a learning disability or another significant lifelong condition, such as Down’s syndrome or autism.
We believe that people with Additional Support Needs are among some of the most isolated, our vision is a society without loneliness with your help we can try to achieve this for everyone.
Befriending and Circle support can help someone with an additional support need make valuable connections: building their confidence, resilience and independence.
Our services also provide reassurance and respite for their family members who have often undertaken a significant caring role.
We offer a flexible approach with services that are delivered at a time and pace to suit the individual and family at the centre of the support. The services we offer are entirely free of charge.
Who Cares? Scotland supports care experienced people to have their voice heard and we make that happen in a number of ways.
Who Cares? Scotland is a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers across Scotland.
CAPS is an independent advocacy organisation for people who use or have used mental health services. We are completely independent from the people who fund us and those who provide other services to the people we work with. We provide individual and collective advocacy in East Lothian and Midlothian. We also host several mental health related, experience-led projects across Lothian.
We are Healthcare Improvement Scotland, an organisation with many parts and one purpose - better quality health and social care for everyone in Scotland.
At Macmillan, we know cancer can affect everything. But right now, we can’t reach everyone who needs us. Almost half of us will get cancer, and we need your help to make sure that people get the support they need. Whether it’s minutes or months, hours or days, the time you give by volunteering with Macmillan really does matter.
Children's hearings
Who decides that a child comes to a hearing?
The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) are the central officers within the Children's Hearings system who decide whether a child should come to a hearing. Children may come before a hearing because they:
have offended, have been neglected or abused and may need care or protection
are out of the control of their parents
have been absent from school without reasonable excuse
have misused drugs or alcohol
are in moral danger
We want to deliver the best possible quality of support to people so they are heard, respected, safe and in control of their own life. Our aim: We believe everyone has a right to
· be heard and respected
· have the same choice, control, and freedom as any other person
· be safe from violence, discrimination, harm or abuse
Everything we do is focused on achieving this aim. Our vision: We will:
· deliver the best possible quality of support
· be the provider of choice for the services we offer
· be the source of authority for expert insight on voice and rights
· be the place to work or volunteer with, for anyone who shares our aims
Central Wellbeing SCIO is a charity working to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in Falkirk area.
Our values underpin everything we do:
• We see everyone as a whole person, with valid experiences, talents and their own way of living
• We recognise that lived experience is valuable learning and we use it in everything we do
• We support people to help each other
• We offer people choice as everyone is different
• We work with others and promote looking after mental wellbeing as a need for everyone
Down’s Syndrome Scotland promotes the interests of people with Down’s syndrome and their families in Scotland by influencing public policy and attitudes. We provide a range of services and activities to help those with Down’s syndrome reach their full potential.
ENABLE Scotland is a dynamic charity run by its members. We campaign for a better life for children and adults who have learning disabilities. We support people who have learning disabilities and their families to live, work and take part in their communities.
We provide a growing range of person centred services designed to be flexible and adapt to the needs of the people using these services.
We make sure that children and adults with learning disabilities and their carers are at the heart of everything that we do.
DebRA was founded in 1978 by a group of parents whose children were affected by EB. At this time only some 200 people with EB were known to health professionals in the UK.
The original aims of the charity were to stimulate knowledge of and interest in
Global Family Care Network is a non-profit organisation that works to prevent and intercept child trafficking and systematic abuse and provide long-term and family-based care for children who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Our mission is to preserve the family and protect at-risk children with the assistance of community organisations, volunteer caregivers, and donors. Our vision is to help as many children as possible who are victims of poverty, exploitation, and abuse by modelling and sharing principled methods that represent the best possible outcome.
Collectively, our model projects are active in nine countries with 304 global team members.
ADA provides a range of drug and alcohol services . The overall aim of ADA is to reduce the harm associated with drug and alcohol use to the individual, the family and the community and to support community based recovery. Interventions range from advice and information regarding 'safer' drug/alcohol use through to intensive work . A range of services is also available to family members from information and advice through to intensive one to one counselling.