Women's Fund for Scotland

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Women's Fund for Scotland

The Women's Fund for Scotland makes grants to projects across Scotland that support women's growth, self-sufficiency & social economic equality.

29/10/2026

When this podcast was recorded, Louise from Absafe spoke powerfully about the importance of women supporting women:

“We’re often not heard. We’re often not listened to. The more voice we can give to women, that’s run by women for women, I think is really powerful.”

She also said:

“Just because we tend to be in groups, and just because we chat, doesn’t mean that we don’t need support. I think we need support now more than ever.”

Sadly, those words now carry even greater weight. Since this conversation was recorded, financial challenges forced Absafe to close at the beginning of October.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of an organisation that worked so hard to build confidence, connection and community. We pay tribute to Louise, the Absafe team and everyone who contributed to its work and impact.

Its closure is also a stark reminder of the financial pressures facing small charities and grassroots organisations across Scotland. Passion, commitment and demonstrable impact cannot keep services open without sustainable funding.

As Susan Morrison describes the Women’s Fund for Scotland in this clip, it is “women funding women who fund women.” We remain determined to continue that work—because without women supporting women, as Louise says, “we’re all going to be a bit lost.”

🎧 Hear the full conversation on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

22/10/2026

“I wouldn’t be here today if horses hadn’t come into my life.”

For Danielle, the founder of that is not an exaggeration. Horses changed the direction of her life — and now she is creating that same possibility for other women and girls.

Women coming through the justice system. Girls who have experienced care. Young people excluded from school. People for whom other forms of support simply have not landed.

Through relationships with horses, Eat, Sleep, Ride helps women and girls build trust, confidence and connection in a space where they can simply be themselves.

As Danielle explains:

“I think the reason horses work so well with women is that they just don’t pretend. When a horse does something, they mean it.”

Sometimes change begins when someone — or something — finally reaches you.

🎧 Hear the full conversation with broadcaster Susan Morrison on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

15/10/2026

Some girls begin their periods as young as eight — and some have no parent or guardian there to guide them.

Yet periods are still surrounded by silence, embarrassment and uncertainty.

Florence and are working to change that. Through positive, age-appropriate menstrual health education, they help women and girls understand their bodies, ask questions without shame and feel prepared rather than anxious.

Because menstrual health is not simply about providing products. It is about knowledge, confidence and creating safe spaces for honest conversations.

As broadcaster Susan Morrison says:

“That wall of silence around periods and when they start and what happens — that’s been going on since I was a child. So the fact that you’re now breaking down this silence is absolutely phenomenal.”

🎧 Hear the full conversation on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

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09/10/2026

📣 Women’s Fund for Scotland is OPEN for funding applications!

Does your organisation help women and girls heal, thrive or rise? We’d love to hear about your work. 💜

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to eligible organisations across Scotland, supporting:
✨ Heal — spaces and support to recover from violence, marginalisation and injustice.
✨ Thrive — opportunities to build skills, confidence, leadership and creativity.
✨ Rise — overcoming poverty and isolation, building connections and working towards a more equal Scotland.

📅 Apply by 30 October 2026.

Read the full criteria and find out how to apply:
👉 https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/womens-fund-for-scotland

Know a group doing brilliant work with women and girls? Give them a nudge — or share this post!

08/10/2026

Six weeks. That may be all the NHS can currently offer a woman receiving a late diagnosis of ADHD or autism in West Lothian.

Then what?

At Craigsfarm Community Development Project, Manuela and her team are helping to fill that gap. Their Art and Well-being programme uses creativity, yoga and meditation to support women as they process their diagnosis, understand themselves and build connections with others who truly understand.

It is about far more than taking part in an activity. It is a therapeutic space where women can feel supported, form friendships and become part of a community.

As broadcaster Susan Morrison tells Manuela:

“You are the epitome of what I always think of as women helping women… you’re building connections, partnerships. You’re building a web.”

This is grassroots support at its best: identifying an unmet need and creating something thoughtful, welcoming and transformative in response.

🎧 Hear the full conversation on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

07/10/2026

📣 Working with women and girls in Scotland? We want to hear from you!

Around 20 organisations completed our annual survey at last week’s Feisty Gals conference — thank you! Somehow, a whole week has passed since the conversations, connections and my Queen air-guitar finale… 🎸

Whether you joined us or not, please take a few minutes to tell us about your organisation’s experiences, challenges and priorities. Your views help shape Women’s Fund for Scotland’s work and how we support the sector.

👉 Complete our short annual survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/DGrBDgtp3e

Please share with other organisations supporting women and girls across Scotland. The more voices, the better! 💜

01/10/2026

A mother. Two young children. No English. Flip-flops in an Edinburgh October.

After flying into Heathrow and travelling overnight by coach, the family arrived in Edinburgh at 4am. The mother searched online for Project Esperanza , found its address and waited outside until the office opened.

She knew where to go for help — and Victoria and her team were ready with something to wear, something to eat and somewhere safe to go.

This powerful story captures exactly why trusted grassroots organisations matter. They are rooted in their communities, respond to the person in front of them and find a way to help when conventional systems do not.

As broadcaster Susan Morrison tells Victoria, Project Esperanza is “the sort of organisation that thinks outside the box and is ready for anything that gets thrown at it.”

🎧 Hear the full conversation on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

30/09/2026

Today we’ll bring women and organisations from across Scotland together for Feisty Gals: Deep Roots, Fierce Futures in Stirling. 🌱

A big thank you to and National Lottery players for helping make it happen. Their grant is contributing to delegate places, a travel bursary, merchandise and other conference costs.

That support helps more people take part, share what they know and build connections that last beyond the day. We can’t wait to see you there!

30/09/2026

Today we’ll bring women and organisations from across Scotland together for Feisty Gals: Deep Roots, Fierce Futures in Stirling. 🌱

A big thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland and National Lottery players for helping make it happen. Their grant is contributing to delegate places, a travel bursary, merchandise and other conference costs.

That support helps more people take part, share what they know and build connections that last beyond the day. We can’t wait to see you there!

24/09/2026

“Literally, if it wasn’t for you guys, my girls wouldn’t have a mum.”

This is why grassroots mental health support matters.

After experiencing severe mental ill health following the birth of her son, Linsey knew mums needed somewhere they could speak honestly and be understood. LATNEM — Let’s All Talk North East Mums — now provides free, safe peer support for mums and birthing people across Scotland.

In this powerful clip, Linsey and Latnem service user Hannah speak candidly about reaching crisis point, the gaps they encountered in formal services and the difference it makes to feel genuinely seen and heard.

As Linsey says of support from the Women’s Fund for Scotland: “Actions speak louder than words.”

🎧 Hear their full conversation with broadcaster Susan Morrison on the Women’s Fund for Scotland podcast, available on your favourite podcast platform.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of su***de and maternal mental ill health.

Address

Edinburgh

Website

http://www.womensfundscotland.org/

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