About us
Every year, we support thousands of people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to achieve what matters most to them.
We believe life is for living.
Our ambition
A world of inclusion, free of isolation and loneliness, where a health crisis doesn’t mean a life crisis.
What we do
We support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to see life differently, to lead good lives, and achieve what matters most to them.
How we do it
At Thistle Foundation we know that people are unique. We offer a pioneering range of support which is focused on the person and not the condition or disability. This is our Thistle Approach. It runs through everything we do.
Our focus
Our Health and Wellbeing team provides support for 1000s of people living across Scotland with long-term health conditions or facing challenging life situations, to achieve what matters most to them.
We support people living in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife through our Supported Living team. We have over 400 Personal Assistants and Wellbeing Practitioners providing personalised support for people with disabilities, ensuring that they can live in their own homes in their local community.
The Thistle Learning team works with healthcare professionals, services and the third sector on transforming care and support within the health and social care sector.
Read about our impact in Our Reports.
Our History
Our work has changed a lot over the years. Our values and commitment have not.
Sir Francis and Lady Tudsbery set up Thistle Foundation and built the Thistle Estate in Craigmillar in 1944 to provide homes for disabled ex-servicemen that would, in the words of Sir Francis, enable them, “to live in homes of their own, surrounded by their own families, by their own friends, and by their own belongings.”
This was a truly pioneering move: for the first time, wounded war veterans could live at home with their families whilst receiving the skilled medical attention that was essential to their recovery and wellbeing.
The world has changed immeasurably since then, but we still share the Tudsberys' conviction that disabled people can and should live as part of their local community.
Our beginnings have given us the courage to work in radical ways and to embrace change when it is needed.
We now support people living in Scotland with disabilities and long-term conditions.
Our innovative Thistle Approach guides our strategy and ensures that the support we provide focuses on what matters most to people and their best hopes in life.
Here is a Timeline about the history of Thistle.
Find out more about the Robin Chapel, built and named in memory of Robin, the Tudsberys' only son here.
There are currently 2 million people in Scotland living with long term health conditions.
Support us and make sure no-one gets left behind.
Visit Us
Centre of Wellbeing, 13 Queen's Walk, Edinburgh EH16 4EA
Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–5pm
Phone
0131 661 3366