A blog by Heather Simmons that celebrates all of the women whose gifts, strengths and compassion shape our organisation and the communities we support.

A single bowl of ramen has helped transform lives in Edinburgh as Maki & Ramen celebrates raising £20,000 for Thistle.

We strongly urge the Scottish Government to reconsider its position on altering the baseline funding for social care pay in 2026-27.

The UK Government’s recent announcement in relation to social care visas is another blow to our sector, the people that work in it and the people we work alongside. We’ve been reflecting on some of the narrative used during this and other recent announcements by Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, and Yvette Cooper, and here’s what we think…

We – people we support, our workforce, organisations like Thistle and the whole of Scotland – continue to be let down as the required investment in social care and reforms called for by the independent review continue to be delayed.

Julia Fitzpatrick

Thistle in Midlothian get mindful in nature

On 5th September 2023, as part of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, the First Minister announced that the rate of pay for social care workers will increase to £12 per hour effective from April 2024.

A new collaboration that will provide more opportunity for personalised support for people in the local community.

On Thursday 10th August, we held our first ever summer fair at our Centre of Wellbeing.

We’re delighted to celebrate the successful launch of a new community hub for people affected by addiction, in Craigmillar and Niddrie, called The Bothy.

On Thursday 8th December, we held our first in-person festive celebration since the start of the pandemic. The event raised around £1,150 (and counting) to provide vital support to people living with long term health conditions in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

Twelve fundraisers take part in the Kiltwalk raising money to support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions across Scotland.

Her Majesty The Queen 1926 - 2022