Aspire (Association for Spinal Injury Research, Rehabilitation and Reintegration)

The Aspire Welfare Benefits Advice Service for people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury

People paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury are vulnerable to falling into poverty. This project aims to increase the economic security of over 400 people and their families every year by helping them to navigate their way through the complex welfare benefits process, ensuring they receive the financial support they are entitled to; and facilitating their journey from injury to independence.

Website: https://www.aspire.org.uk/

LifeCare Edinburgh

LifeCare the Heart of the Community

LifeCare’s thriving community café/hub delivers life-enhancing care and activities for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. By providing a warm and welcoming environment, a full calendar of free activities, support and events and free hot meal delivery service, local people feel valued, connected, less isolated, experience improved nutrition and can maximise their limited income.

Website:  https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

Oswin Projects

Baking Out

The Baking Out enterprise’s focus is to reduce inequalities for prisoners and ex-offenders through support and mentoring leading to employment, training and opportunities to gain qualifications, rebuilding confidence, facilitating work experience- especially working as a team- and supporting prisoners and ex-offenders to become contributors to society rather than dependents.

Website: https://oswinproject.org.uk/

Multiple System Atrophy Trust

Alleviating cost-of-living crisis poverty for people with the terminal neurodegenerative disease MSA

Funding will support the continuation of the Social Welfare Specialist (SWS) service until 31 March 2026, providing financial advocacy, information, and support, along with increased benefits entitlements, to people living with the terminal neurodegenerative disease multiple system atrophy (MSA), who find themselves in severe financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Website: https://www.msatrust.org.uk/

Strength & Stem Ltd

Flowers for the Future

Flower for the Future transforms the lives of female survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery by supporting their journey to full independence and freedom. We provide tailored, trauma-informed, employability and wellbeing skills training which strengthen their emotional wellbeing, agency, and community. On completion, they leave with an achievable plan to attain their future goals and sustain a good quality of life.

Website: https://strengthandstem.co.uk

The Kings Community Foundation

A Menu for Change

The King’s Community Foundation, through their Menu for Change project, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in our community through lunch clubs, healthy cooking classes, health events and community togetherness. Over the next year we plan to run a number of these events to promote healthy eating, better budgeting, inclusivity and more, to address some of the priorities outlined in Aberdeen’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan; reducing the number of people living in poverty, improving and creating employment opportunities, and supporting children & young people with a focus on early intervention.

Website: https://www.kingscommunityfoundation.org/

Team Domenica

Employment skills training for people with learning disabilities

34 young people with learning disabilities will access work experience in Team Domenica’s three training cafés in Brighton & Hove. This will provide a supported introduction to the workplace for candidates, where they will develop practical and transferable skills, confidence, communication, and independence. This prepares them to progress into and thrive in external work placements, internships, and meaningful paid employment.

Website: https://teamdomenica.com/