The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
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Our latest members
Welcome to all the organisations that have joined SCVO recently. You can find out more about them below:
Carsphairn Community Woodland
Joined SCVO on 15 May
<p>We took ownership of part of Muirdrochwood Forest on Friday 26th March 2021 on behalf of the Community of Carsphairn. Community ownership of the woodland has provided greater access to the countryside around us, allowing a more diverse woodland environment for wildlife to be created, for people to enjoy walking and picnicing in, and also to create a community hub for outdoor volunteering, activities and skills development.</p>
Lenzie Community Development Trust
Joined SCVO on 15 May
<p>To provide or advance the accessibility of recreational facilities, and/or organising recreational activities, which will be available to members of the Community and public at large with the object of improving the conditions of life of the Community.Advancement of citizenship or Community development, including rural or urban regeneration.To advance educational opportunities in the Community relating to environment, culture, heritage and/or history.To advance environmental protection or improvement including</p> <p>preservation, sustainable development and conservation of the natural environment, the maintenance, improvement or provision of environmental amenities for the Community and/or the preservation of buildings or sites of architectural, historic or other importance to the Community.</p>
Sparkle Sisters Edinburgh
Joined SCVO on 15 May
<p>Across Edinburgh, many women are living with the impact of homelessness, abuse, addiction and deep personal trauma. Much of this is hidden. Many carry shame, feel isolated and believe they are alone. Sparkle Sisters exists to walk alongside women in these realities with compassion, dignity and hope. Founded in 2018 at St Columba’s Free Church, Sparkle Sisters began with a simple vision: to create a safe and welcoming space where women could experience genuine care and community in the heart of the city. What started through quarterly Pamper Nights has grown into a trusted Christian community supporting women through practical care, long-term relationships, emotional healing and ongoing support. Today, Sparkle Sisters supports women at different stages of their journey. Some arrive in immediate crisis. Others are beginning to process years of trauma and abuse. Many are simply looking for connection, stability and a place where they can belong. Our Christian faith shapes everything we do. We believe every woman is loved by God, has inherent worth and dignity, and deserves to be treated with compassion and respect. Support is offered freely to women of all faiths or none, but faith, friendship and church community often become an important part of many women’s journeys. Over time, we see women move: • from crisis to stability • from isolation to belonging • from shame to self-worth • from trauma towards healing and recovery</p>
Holy Generation SCIO
Joined SCVO on 13 May
<p>Holy Generation exists to equip, train and support children, young people and young adults in Scotland through Christian teaching, youth programmes, holiday clubs, community projects and leadership development. Our vision is to raise a generation of children and youth who are grounded in faith, character, service and purpose. Our activities include one-day sessions, weekly training courses, youth discipleship, holiday clubs for children, support for churches to run community projects, and special gatherings for children and young people.</p>
Fernhill Foundation (Scotland)
Joined SCVO on 12 May
<p>Fernhill Foundation (Scotland) is an Edinburgh-based registered charity working to relieve poverty and improve the lives of disadvantaged individuals and families in Scotland and internationally. We were established by community-led founders who witnessed firsthand the barriers faced by vulnerable people in Scotland's urban communities and in developing nations abroad. In Scotland, our work is centred on five areas of direct support: food security and nutrition — providing food parcels to families facing hardship; crisis and disability support — offering practical and financial assistance to those affected by ill-health, disability, or sudden crisis; educational opportunities — removing barriers to learning and vocational development; community wellbeing — empowering individuals through ethical giving and practical aid; and access to clean water in underserved communities internationally. We operate a 100% donation policy, meaning all donations are directed entirely to our charitable programmes. Administrative costs are separately funded to ensure full transparency and accountability to our donors, beneficiaries, and regulators. Fernhill Foundation is at an early but active stage of organisational development. We have two years of audited accounts, a growing base of community donors, and a committed trustee board. We are now developing our funded programme delivery and seeking to diversify our income to expand advice, support, and community services in Edinburgh and across Scotland. We are committed to the values of dignity, transparency, community, and lasting impact and we look forward to connecting with Scotland's wider voluntary sector through SCVO membership.</p>
Dalkeith Thistle Community Football Club
Joined SCVO on 11 May
<p>We are a Community Football Club based in Dalkeith, Midlothian.</p> <p>Since our inception, Dalkeith Thistle Community Football Club has been an integral part of Dalkeith. The ambition of the club remains to increase its membership across the wider Midlothian area, allowing it to spread its influence, ensuring we can deliver our sporting and footballing philosophy of: • Providing a platform for players and coaches to fulfil their football and sporting potential. • Participating in a team sport, embracing everything that this has to offer. • Supported development into adolescence supported through a club environment with close<br>friends and peers</p>
Fool On
Joined SCVO on 11 May
<p>Fool On is a mental health recovery charity using the arts to support people through creativity, connection and confidence-building. Through comedy, music and performance-based workshops, we help people in recovery improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and feel part of a supportive community.</p> <p>Our aim is simple - to use the power of performance to build resilience, raise self-esteem, and show that recovery can be fun, social, and life-changing.</p>
Chilling Women Keith
Joined SCVO on 8 May
<p>Chilling Women is a peer led community well being support group for women of all ages living in Keith and the local surrounding rural area. The group offers free informal weekly sessions where women come together to learn new skills and explore practices and and tools to enhance their mental and emotional well being, social and personal growth. Our safe , inclusive and welcoming environment environment helps reduce feelings of loneliness, social and rural isolation. It promotes well being for women facing the challenges of parenting, neurodiversity, menopause, past trauma, caring, gender based/domestic abuse/violence, grief, loneliness and isolation. The session topics are decided by the women to meet their needs and include mindfulness, mental well being discussions and courses, art and craft activities, yoga, hand massage, aromatherapy, relaxation, walking and cycling. The sessions are facilitated by group members or invited facilitators. Keith is not an affluent town and funding enables activities and refreshments to be delivered free of charge, thus removing any financial barrier from those wishing to attend.</p>
SS Explorer Preservation Society
Joined SCVO on 8 May
<p>Preserving SS Explorer - one of Scotland's Historic Vessels - in the port of Leith and preparing the vessel to be exhibited as a floating museum with a shore-based interpretation centre.</p>
Shetland Arts Development Agency
Joined SCVO on 8 May
<p>Shetland Arts Development Agency is a multivenue multi artform development agency situated in one of Scotland's most remote communtiies.</p>
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Joined SCVO on 8 May
<p>The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a leading UK-based conservation charity dedicated to protecting, restoring, and creating wetlands for both wildlife and people. Founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott, its mission is to save wetlands for wildlife and people by connecting people with nature and implementing evidence-based conservation strategies</p>
Bute Community Land Company
Joined SCVO on 7 May
<p>The goal is to manage the Community Forest in a responsible and environmentally sensitive way, to increase environmental education and to enable greater access to the Forest by residents and visitors. We also now own the Winter Garden which houses a Cinema and we are intent on saving this building for the local community</p>
East Park
Joined SCVO on 7 May
<p>Since 1874, East Park has provided specialist education and residential care for children and young people from across Scotland whose needs cannot be met in mainstream settings. We currently support 56 children and young people with highly complex needs, including severe autism spectrum disorder, physical impairments, communication challenges, attachment trauma, sensory processing differences and significant barriers to social interaction. For the young people we support, progress is often measured in small but life-changing steps: developing independence in personal hygiene, tolerating support with bathing, managing a daily routine, or safely using everyday facilities. These milestones represent dignity, confidence and hope.</p>
Lamhan
Joined SCVO on 7 May
<p>Làmhan is a micro charity which teaches sewing and kiltmaking. We are a Qualifications Scotland Accredited centre, an Arts Awards Centre and an Education Partner of UKFT.</p>
The Richard and Siobhán Coward Foundation
Joined SCVO on 7 May
<p>We give grants for analogue photography projects and for photography projects that improve the health and well being of children and young adults</p>
Aboyne Tennis Club
Joined SCVO on 6 May
<p>We are a small tennis club in Aboyne that promotes recreation and enhanced wellbeing through the sports of tennis and padel tennis in our local community. Through our affiliated tennis coach we also act as a hub for tennis activities in upper Deeside. We offer discounted membership to those enduring financial hardship.</p>
Dailly Community Development Trust SCIO
Joined SCVO on 6 May
<p>DCDT SCIO is an active community group which seeks to empower the local community through the provision of services such as the Food Pantry, and educational, recreational and cultural projects. Based in Dailly which is a small rural village which lacks easy access to services and amenities, the SCIO aims to give the community tools and resources to sustain itself. </p>
International Fire & Rescue Association
Joined SCVO on 6 May
<p>International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA) was established in 2002. We are a UK based charity set up to assist Firefighters and Emergency Services worldwide.</p> <p>IFRA’s mission statement is to promote the preservation and protection of life from fire and other disasters, especially in countries that are so affected by war, civil unrest or natural disaster that they are unable to contend with the emergency utilising their own resources or require assistance on humanitarian grounds.</p> <p>We are a special charity as there are only a few other agencies or charities who specifically target Fire and Rescue needs of communities on an international level. IFRA are Scotland's biggest International Fire and Rescue charity and staff by volunteers from all walks of life.</p> <p>Our charity targets areas that we, and other charities, have identified as requiring assistance in forming a proper fire service. We are not the only organisation that does this type of work and we are not the biggest in the UK, but we believe we are one of the best.</p> <p>Since our inception we have provided training, equipment and appliances to:</p> <p>Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Romania, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Paraguay, Albania, Liberia, Namibia, Panama, Kashmir, Argentina, Moldova, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Chile, Palestine, Mexico, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Philippines, US Virgin Islands & Ukraine.</p> <p>IFRA collects any outdated, superseded, spare or replaced fire/emergency/medical service equipment. Anything from fire boots to fire appliances and bandages to ambulances. We then send them out to areas of the world that require assistance.</p> <p>In 2019 we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for voluntary groups. We are the ONLY fire service charity to have been awarded this prestigious honour.</p> <p>IFRA receive NO Government funding. All funds are raised by various fundraising events and donations. Our missions are only possible through the goodwill of the British public. Past fundraising efforts include climbing Ben Nevis in full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus. Our Instructors give up their own time to carry out our missions.</p> <p>We are ALL unpaid volunteers whose only wish is to improve the lives of fellow Fire and Emergency Service personnel in countries less fortunate than our own.</p> <p>We collect donations of anything from Fire Engines and Ambulances, breathing apparatus, fire kit, right down to boots. We also collect donations from Fire Services, Industries and Hospitals who no longer require equipment or are replacing it with newer equipment. This redundant equipment (which is still useful and safe to use in other countries) is either packed into the donated vehicle and driven through Europe for delivery or sent in containers to be distributed in countries further afield.</p> <p>We then send a team of qualified members to train the Fire Services on how to utilise the donated equipment. There is no point in giving these countries the equipment and not providing the knowledge on how to use the equipment safely and properly.</p>
Legacy Scotland CIC
Joined SCVO on 5 May
<p>Legacy Scotland CIC is a community-focused organisation supporting adults to improve their health, wellbeing, confidence and resilience through structured, practical programmes.</p> <p>Our work centres on Shift to Strength, a social prescribing model delivering cooking, physical activity, budgeting and community-based sessions to help individuals build sustainable habits and reduce social isolation.</p> <p>We work with individuals experiencing low confidence, poor wellbeing and barriers to maintaining healthy routines, particularly those impacted by cost-of-living pressures. The organisation aims to deliver preventative, community-based support while developing sustainable partnerships with local services and organisations.</p>
Speyside Community Church
Joined SCVO on 5 May
<p>We are a community church just at the start of the process,</p>