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The First Minister’s Start Up Challenge

Stuart Mitchell

Young entrepreneurs will be supported to turn their ideas into successful businesses through a new Scottish Government programme. The First Minister’s Start Up Challenge will empower young people aged 18 – 30 from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds to start innovative businesses. Delivered in partnership with The King’s Trust and social enterprise Dechomai, around 20 participants will be selected for a six-month accelerated entrepreneurial apprenticeship. This will provide tailored support and access to masterclasses, workshops and hands-on experience. Participants will receive a £500 “Test Your Business” grant, with those ready to…

GSK Community Health Programme announces 10 charities to receive funding and development

Stuart Mitchell

A total of 10 health and care charities have been selected to join the GSK Community Health programme supporting very small charities tackling health inequalities, delivered in partnership with The King’s Fund. The programme will provide funding and support to community-based organisations working to improve the health of some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. Health inequalities are avoidable and systematic differences that include access to health care, quality and experience of care, life expectancy, and wider factors such as environment and housing. There are stark gaps in…

Third Sector Trends study finds weakening relationships within the voluntary sector and with the public sector

Stuart Mitchell

The first report of Third Sector Trends 2025 shows partnership working among third sector organisations and relationships with local government are weakening.   Third Sector Trends, the groundbreaking study of the sector facilitated and co-funded by Community Foundation North East, surveys the sector every three years to explore patterns and changes. The research, carried out by Professor Tony Chapman from St Chads College, Durham, engaged over 8,600 organisations across England and Wales, from large charities to small local community groups.   The Relationships, Influencing and Collaborative Working report shows most organisations (72%)…

UK Research and Innovation launches creative industries strategy

Stuart Mitchell

UKRI’s high-level R&D strategy for the creative and cultural economy will ensure research and innovation drives and sustains growth in the creative industries. Today, at the MusicFutures Creative Industries Cluster in Liverpool, Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray announced, the strategy for the creative and cultural economy. The strategy will help UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) ensure its investments in the creative industries drive economic growth across the UK. Minister Murray also referenced £500 million of funding for the creative industries, including: £369 million allocated to the creative industries by UKRI, of which £100 million is specifically allocated to supporting innovative…

Platform for Change: New RNIB report reveals barriers to accessible train travel for blind and partially sighted people

Stuart Mitchell

Accessible train travel is essential for blind and partially sighted people to live independently, get to work, visit friends and family, and access healthcare. Yet, RNIB’s new report, Platform for Change: Making rail journeys more accessible for people with sight loss, shows that too many journeys are still impacted or prevented by unnecessary barriers such as inconsistent passenger assistance, difficult ticket buying methods and the inaccessible design of trains and stations. What you told us The Platform for Change report is based on a survey of nearly 1,200 blind and…