ScottishPower Foundation 2026 Social Initiatives
BlindAid
Vulnerable blind/visually impaired Londoners reach their full potential and regain independence with NVDA IT skills
This project combines vital IT training with a social lunch club for blind and visually impaired adults in inner London. Over 36 weeks, three 12 week courses will run in Camden, Southwark, and Wandsworth, opening access across all 12 inner London boroughs. Each course hosts 6–8 learners, reaching up to 72 participants. Sessions are free and led by an experienced tutor and volunteer assistant, both visually impaired, bringing lived expertise and proven success to every class.
Community Welfare Services
Second Season Clothing Drive
Community Welfare Services is a London charity tackling poverty and social exclusion among low income families. By providing essentials and practical support, it eases financial strain, promotes dignity, and empowers families towards independence, helping to combat child and in work poverty. Its Clothing Drive supplies underprivileged children with essential seasonal clothing, both new and quality pre loved, promoting sustainability through reuse while meeting urgent needs.
Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity
ECHC's Hospital Hub
Daily ward visits bring fun, engaging activities that connect children and families, fostering friendship and peer support. Creative STEM workshops run every day with musicians, dancers, storytellers, visual artists, and partners like Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo, and Capital Theatres. Alongside this, daily wellbeing sessions- meditation, massage, and sensory activities- help children ease worries and feel supported.
Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs Ltd
Ready to RISE
Ready to RISE (Readiness and Incubation for the Social Economy) is a programme supporting women in Scotland who face barriers to work, whether through career breaks, caring roles, trauma, or health challenges. By opening the door to social entrepreneurship as a flexible, purpose driven path back into employment, it empowers women to re enter the workforce with confidence. The programme kicks off with community and online outreach events, engaging up to 250 women where they are, both physically and emotionally, and introducing them to the possibilities of social enterprise.
Lancashire Women
Expanding our handywoman service to increase our social impact
The project will grow the female handywoman service, offering free or low cost home repairs for women in need. By developing commercial and training arms, it will generate sustainable income, boost women’s skills, improve living conditions, and challenge gender inequality in construction.
Plans include creating a directory of female tradespeople for larger contracts, fitting out a workshop at the Accrington centre for DIY training, and funding a Marketing Officer to promote services and drive referrals through digital outreach.
The Mason Foundation
Propel Scotland
Propel Scotland, led by The Mason Foundation, will support 120 young people across Edinburgh and Glasgow, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they deserve. This 12 month programme tackles the employment gap facing neurodivergent youth, creating sustainable pathways from education into meaningful work.
The Scottish Pantry Network
Taste of Opportunity
This project provides affordable, nutritious meal kits alongside hands on training in cooking, hygiene, and packaging. Distributed through the charity’s community pantry network across Scotland, it supports families most in need 25% are lone parent households, mainly women, and 10% are individuals living with disabilities.
