I am proud to share a new report, which captures a snapshot of the incredible impact of Edinburgh’s third sector on the lives of the Ukrainians who came
to our city in search of safety.

Edinburgh’s Warm Scots Welcome: Four Years of Third Sector Impact 2022-2026

Тепла шотландська гостинність Единбурга: Чотири роки впливу третього сектору 2022–2026

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, our third sector partners and community groups didn’t hesitate. They stepped up immediately, providing meals, finding accommodation for families, and making sure everyone had the support they needed. As the weeks turned into months, that support grew into something even deeper. Our partners hosted English language classes, mental health, and job programmes that helped people not just survive, but start to build a future here.

At EVOC, we’ve been right in the middle of this effort. We’ve worked hard to bring different teams together, making sure that the voices of those on the frontline reached the people making the big decisions. By securing over £2 million in funding, alongside our partners, we’ve been able to support projects that foster real belonging, from community meals to counselling and art therapy.

This report shows what happens when a city and a sector choose solidarity. Together, we’ve created more than just a “Warm Scots Welcome”; we’ve built a community where people can truly belong.

John Hawryluk (Service Delivery Lead, EVOC)

Hi everyone! 

I’m Valerie McIntosh, and I’m delighted to have joined EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council) as a Development Worker, with a focus on Community Planning and Supporting Place-based Networks. I’ve been lucky enough to call Edinburgh home for the past 12 years, and it is an exciting place to do this kind of work, a city that is full of passionate people, vibrant communities, and a real appetite for change. 

A Bit About Me 

I’m originally from Scotland, so there’s something especially meaningful about putting down roots here and now, channelling that connection into work that genuinely matters to communities across the city. 

 When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me outdoors exploring nature, on the dancefloor swing dancing, rolling out a yoga mat, or planning my next adventure. I’ve travelled extensively across Australia, Asia and the South Pacific, so I’ve always been drawn to exploring different cultures and ways of life, and that curiosity about people and places feeds directly into the work I care most about. 

My Journey Here 

My path to EVOC has been anything but a straight line, and I think that’s what makes it interesting. Over 20 years working across the third sector, higher education, international volunteering, and retail, I’ve developed a strong track record of delivering high-quality, impactful programmes and services. Across every role, a common thread has run through it all: fostering collaboration, championing diverse communities and empowering people to co-create and lead the changes that matter most to them. Each experience has shaped how I think about community, collaboration and change.  

One of the most formative experiences of my career, though, was volunteering in Nepal with Global Vision International — working alongside women and girls on skills development and co-creating resources that reflected local experiences and perspectives. Combined with professional training in Community Development, it gave me first-hand insight into what it really means to support communities to lead their own change. 

What Drives Me 

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: that people, organisations and communities thrive when the right conditions are created for them. I’m not interested in doing things to communities. I’m interested in doing things with them. 

My grounding in psychology, alongside qualifications in Community Development, Mentoring, Carbon Literacy and Mental Health First Aid, gives me a holistic lens on wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability. I genuinely believe these aren’t add-ons to community planning — they’re central to it. Effective, lasting change must be rooted in the lived experiences of the people it’s meant to serve. 

I was drawn to this role at EVOC because of the opportunity to bring together everything I care about: collaboration, advocacy, community engagement, and social and environmental impact. I believe in the power of co-creation, of building trust, listening deeply and working alongside people to find solutions that are meaningful, relevant and lasting.  

What I Hope to Bring to EVOC 

I’m coming into this role with a lot of energy and a genuine commitment to making a difference. I hope to help strengthen the third sector in Edinburgh by connecting my skills in collaboration, advocacy and research with the incredible work already happening across the city’s communities and networks. 

I’m a collaborative person by nature. I thrive in team environments, I value peer support and knowledge-sharing, and I’m always looking to learn from the people around me. At the same time, I take real ownership of my work and hold myself accountable for outcomes. I’m reflective, resilient and motivated — and I’m excited to bring all of that to the work ahead. 

My First Three Months 

Getting out and meeting Place-based Networks and third sector organisations across Edinburgh has been one of the highlights of settling into this role. The passion, dedication and first-hand knowledge of community need I’ve encountered has been genuinely inspiring, and a reminder of just how much vital work is happening across this city every day. 

I’m still very much in listening mode, building my understanding of the landscape and the relationships that hold it together. But already, I can see the depth of commitment that exists across Edinburgh’s communities — and I’m excited to play my part in supporting and strengthening it. 

I’m also looking forward to meeting more people from third sector organisations who understand community needs first-hand at the consultation for Edinburgh’s Community Plan on Thursday, 26 February. 

If we haven’t connected yet, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to share what’s happening in your area, explore how we might work together, or simply say hello… my door is open. 

Valerie 

by John Hawryluk (EVOC Service Delivery Lead)

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In 2002, when Nelson Mandela accepted the Inaugural Laureus Sports Award, he opened with “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people”.  This summer, those words came to life at Peffermill Sports Centre, where the Integration through Sport pilot brought together refugees, students, and residents through the power of sport.

Delivered in partnership between the University of Edinburgh, EVOC, and identified organisations from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Big Hearts, Mission of Innocents, AUGB Glasgow, and Chesser Hearts, the project brought together communities.

Over the summer of 2025, Peffermill was transformed into a community space where over 75 participants enjoyed football sessions, a colour run, and post-match social gatherings. This pilot showed how spaces owned by the University could be utilised by the local community outside of the academic year.

We are delighted to publish the final impact report for the Integration through Sport pilot activity here.

Impact report: Highlights at a Glance

• ⚽ 30 children joined fortnightly football sessions with Mission of Innocents
• 🤝 40 New Scots took part in the community football match
• 🎨 50 participants from refugee communities joined the Colour Run
• 🍕 21 pizzas shared post-match (and no one had to cook!)
• 💷 £764.90 in-kind support from the University of Edinburgh
• 💰 £250 from the City of Edinburgh Council for community socials

Sport as a Bridge for Integration

Mission of Innocents hosted two football sessions for Ukrainian refugee families, giving children aged 6–15 the chance to play, connect, and feel part of a wider community. Parents watched from the sidelines while they were able to develop friendships and support networks that extended beyond the pitch.

Chesser Hearts brought even more energy to the field with a friendly match against a Ukrainian Select team, a celebration of sport, culture, and solidarity. The final score was 7–4, but the real success was seen in the smiles, teamwork, and laughter that followed.  After the match, players gathered for Pizza (thanks to Pizza Geeks), a simple but powerful reminder that food and sport go hand in hand in bringing people together.

Big Hearts, reflecting on the day, praised the collaboration between five key partners and highlighted how initiatives like this showcase the strength of working together to support New Scots and build inclusive communities.

A Burst of Colour and Connection

The University of Edinburgh’s Colour Run 2025 added a splash of vibrancy to the programme. More than 200 participants — including 50 New Scots from local refugee communities — took part in a celebration of movement and mental wellbeing on World Mental Health Day.

The event, supported by EVOC, Care4Calais Scotland, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle, Chapter House, and Mission of Innocents, turned the Peffermill route into a festival of colour, energy, and connection. It was a vivid reminder that inclusion can be joyful, active, and full of life.

Looking Ahead

The Integration through Sport pilot has shown what’s possible when sport, collaboration, and compassion come together. Through partnership, shared vision, and creative use of community spaces, the project built not only fitness, but friendship, confidence, and hope.

Looking to 2026, partners plan to expand the programme with more regular sessions and cultural exchange opportunities, continuing to use sport as a tool for inclusion and understanding.

Because when we play together, we grow together.

by Katie Marson (Development Worker, EVOC)

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Since coming into post as a Development Worker at EVOC in January 2025, the final stage of the delivery of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has been a major priority.

It has been a challenge, but I have been continually inspired by the work of the 103 community projects we awarded grants to, and the conversations I’ve had with community members.  

One of the most impactful parts of this process has been organising the delivery of training to support funded groups and organisations. Part of our agreement with Scottish Government is the option to set aside a portion of the budget to capacity building for the sector. Based on feedback from funded organisations and aligning with established priorities for this year, we focused the training in three areas – suicide intervention, trauma informed practice, and impact evaluation for charities – providing eight days of training to over 60 staff members across the sector.  

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) gave participants practical, evidence-based skills and techniques to intervene and support individuals contemplating suicide and also counted towards their CPD. Trauma Skilled Approach training focused on skills and techniques to develop safe and effective working relationships when working to support individuals who have experienced trauma.  

“The trauma training helped me to recognise tips when dealing with clients experiencing trauma, especially when doing groupwork, [I] will definitely put these into practise.”
Trauma Skilled Approach training participant

Introduction to the Basics of Evaluation provided a practical overview of how to effectively evaluate project outcomes. Off the back of the announcement of significant cuts from the EIJB, we considered the importance of the sector’s ability to evidence its impact with strong evaluation skills and hope that this opportunity has helped organisations feel better equipped to evidence the value of their work.  

As we make plans for the next year of the Communities Mental health and Wellbeing Fun, I am looking forward to continuing to work as part of the TSI Team. I believe in the fund’s community-based approach, and in EVOC’s commitment to fair funding which listens to the needs and asks of the community.