Brand new website launches

ScotsCare has launched a revamped and improved website, designed to help clients access the financial, practical, and emotional support they need. For the first time, clients can apply for grants entirely online, with staff on hand, as always, should they need further assistance.

As well as being able to apply for household, children’s clothing, student and training grants, clients can apply for our sheltered housing and access the latest information on services such as the Blether Buddies, social events, counselling, advocacy, job coaching and much more.

Information about how to volunteer, how to donate, our teams, our background, our mission and, news and films are all included in a brand new layout and look.

The website is designed for you so please let us know what you think by emailing communications@scotscare.com.

We caught up with ScotsCare Trustee Andrew Christie, to chat about how he came to ScotsCare and how the reality has compared with expectations.

Why did you want to become a Trustee? And how long have you been a Trustee at ScotsCare?

I never considered being a Trustee until another Trustee suggested it. I thought that you had to be a retired CEO to have the time and experience, but I was wrong. I quickly came to realise that now in my mid-thirties and an Assistant Head Master at a secondary school, I did have the skills and attributes that would be useful and that Trustees could come from all background. I have now been a Trustee for 2 years.

What attracted you to ScotsCare?

I moved to London 6 years ago and adjusting to life in the big smoke wasn’t always easy.  It can be tough to have your support networks many miles away in Scotland, especially if things become difficult. ScotsCare provides an essential community of support and has been serving Scots in London for hundreds of years. It is important that this work continues.  It is also great to be surrounded by Scots; there are so many Scots, whether staff, volunteers, clients or Trustees, that the Scottish accent or humour is never far away!

As a secondary school teacher and a primary school governor, I have an in-depth knowledge of how to ensure that young people excel and flourish. This has been useful in ScotsCare’s work with families and children. However, I have also learnt a lot about finance, property and communications, which has made me more effective in these areas on my school’s senior leadership team.

What has surprised you most about the charity’s work since taking up your role?

The wide range of services that ScotsCare offers has most surprised me, from counselling to housing. Unlike many charities, ScotsCare does in depth work with an individual, which is crucial because issues arise in an individual’s life from a variety of factors.

How have you found balancing Trustee work with your day job?

My day job is incredibly busy, but there is still time to fit my Trustee work around it. It also does not feel so onerous because the work is different from my day job and as they say, a change is as good as a rest! ScotsCare always does it’s best to be accommodating from when the meetings are scheduled, digitally sending cases to be reviewed or sometimes allowing Trustees to use a conference call for meetings.

What would you say to other prospective Trustees about being a Trustee at ScotsCare?

I would tell prospective Trustees that their skills and experiences are valuable and that they have much to contribute. We can only be effective if our Trustees come from a diverse range of backgrounds, so don’t worry if you don’t think that you fit the mould- there is no mould! ScotsCare is doing amazing work in London and you can be a part of it.

What have you found most satisfying about being a Trustee to date?

The most satisfying thing is getting to see first-hand the difference in the lives of so many people, whether it is listening to the ScotsCare choir, reviewing cases or chatting to some of the older clients at the Christmas lunch.

Why do you think the role of a Trustee is important?

A charity cannot function without its Trustees. Trustees provide the checks and balances to ensure that ScotsCare continues to reach even more people with its life-changing support and services.