Linking Lives offers free “Good Conversations” training for volunteers hosting conversations within community settings, such as community cafes, foodbanks, befriending and community social gatherings.
News
Screen Education Fund
The Screen Education Fund from Screen Scotland supports projects which help make screen education more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable across Scotland. The fund is designed to support innovative work that strengthens the provision of screen education in both formal and informal learning environments, with a focus on long‑term impact, and sector development. Grants of £1,000 – £25,000 are available. Funding is revenue‑based and intended to support project delivery rather than equipment purchase. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no deadline.
The Grocers’ Charity Small Grants
The Grocers’ Charity is inviting applications from UK registered charities to its next funding round, offering one‑off grants to support work which makes a meaningful difference across a broad range of community and social issues. With a particular focus on small‑to‑medium charities, the programme aims to strengthen organisations working at grassroots level and supporting people most in need. The Fund reopens on Monday 30 March, and the next deadline for applications is Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund
Third sector organisations supporting children, young people and families are invited to apply for Scottish Government’s Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund. The £20 million fund supports projects which provide holistic, preventative support to families, helping them access the right help earlier and improving outcomes for children and young people. The application deadline is 11:59pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
William Syson Foundation Small Grants Fund
Arts charities across Scotland can now apply to the William Syson Foundation’s Small Grants Fund, which is inviting applications for its latest round of funding. The programme supports a broad spectrum of artistic practice, offering flexible, unrestricted grants of up to £5,000 to help strengthen creativity, participation, and cultural engagement within Scottish communities. The deadline for applications to the current round is 12pm on Friday 3 April 2026.
New Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan Launched
Scottish Government has launched “Bringing Hope, Building Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026–2031”, setting out the next stage of national action to reduce child poverty, and meet statutory targets to significantly lower poverty levels, by 2030. The delivery plan creates opportunities for third sector organisations to work in partnership with public services, deliver local initiatives, and support preventative approaches.
Consultation on Right to Breaks for Unpaid Carers
Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the new right to breaks for unpaid carers, and is seeking views on proposed options about how to implement this right, via an online survey. In addition, Shared Care Scotland is holding two online roundtable discussion events, taking place on: Friday 27 March 2026, 10:30am – 12pm; Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10:30am – 12pm. The deadline for responses is Friday 22 May 2026.
Research Report: Community Hubs Impact on Health and Care
A new national report from the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) (in partnership with independent researchers) has highlighted the ways community hubs (defined in this instance as “local, welcoming spaces where health and care professionals work alongside community and third sector services”) are improving access to health and social care.
Supported Internship Opportunities at Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Forth Valley College is offering places on its Project SEARCH supported internship programme, based at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. The one year programme supports young people (aged 18 – 24 years old) with learning disabilities or additional support needs to develop employability skills and gain workplace experience.
Enable Works Next Steps Employability Programme
Enable Works’ Next Steps is a 10 week employability programme for young people (aged 16 – 24 years old) with learning disabilities living in Forth Valley, and is open for applications to take part.
