OSCR publishes new strategy to help charities deliver and thrive. By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
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29 May 2026
by Niall Christie
The regulator set out its focus of work for the next three years
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has today published its corporate strategy for the period 2026-29.
It sets out how OSCR will regulate and support charities to deliver the services the people of Scotland need.
OSCR’s mission is to regulate Scottish charities in a proportionate and targeted way that promotes trust and confidence, ensures accountability, and strengthens the sector’s ability to deliver public benefit.
The strategy contains our four main strategic themes for the next three years:
- Driving compliance through proportionate and effective regulation.
- Supporting the development of a resilient, effective and trusted charity sector through regulation.
- Continuing to drive efficiency as a public body.
- Supporting our people.
OSCR Interim CEO Quentin Fisher said: "This strategy sets a clear and ambitious direction for the next three years. It is a strategy that reflects both the scale of the challenge facing the charity sector and the opportunities available to us as a modern regulator.
"We recognise that the charity sector remains committed to pursuing their charitable purposes and delivering public benefit. This strategy reinforces OSCR’s own commitment to regulation that is proportionate and intelligence led, ultimately protecting charitable assets, strengthening governance, and promoting trust and confidence in the sector."
To accompany the corporate strategy, OSCR has also published a business plan for 2026-27. This sets out more details about the actions that will be undertaken in order to deliver the corporate strategy.
Further supporting strategies, including OSCR’s digital strategy and people strategy, will be published soon.
OSCR board chair, Marieke Dwarshuis, said: "This strategy sets a clear and focused direction for OSCR, providing a strong foundation for our work in the period 2026–2029.
"Board members have been closely involved in shaping this strategy, ensuring that OSCR responds to the evolving environment in which Scotland’s very diverse charities operate, as well as to future regulatory needs.
"The board will be overseeing the successful delivery of this strategy, ensuring that progress is monitored, resources are well aligned, and that OSCR remains accountable for progress towards the outcomes set out. These outcomes reflect the boards’ ambition that our work should have a positive impact on public confidence and on charities’ compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements."
You can find the new strategy here.
OSCR publishes new strategy to help charities deliver and thrive - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Weekly Regeneration & Housing roundup Newsletter Mon 01/06/2026
HRA (Health Research Authority) HRA Latest - 29 May 2026
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HRA (Health Research Authority) HRA Latest - 29 May 2026
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Funding secured for befriending service which helps tackle loneliness in older people. By Graham Martin, Third Force News (TFN)
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26 May 2026
by Graham Martin
The Scottish Procurement Alliance has ensured that key elements of the scheme can continue
A community befriending initiative which helps older residents across Berwickshire stay connected has received funding to continue its vital work.
The BeFriend service, run by Berwickshire Housing Association, brings together volunteers and older residents aged over 65 to combat loneliness and isolation, an issue that can be particularly acute in rural communities.
With funding proving hard to come by, a grant from the Scottish Procurement Alliance’s (SPA) Community Benefit Fund has ensured that key elements of the scheme can continue, including helping pay for the community minibus service. The grant helps to cover costs including rental, fuel and driver expenses.
Many older people face increasing isolation due to factors such as bereavement, declining mobility or the loss of long-standing social networks. The BeFriend initiative provides a vital lifeline, offering regular one-to-one contact and opportunities to get out and about through organised outings, activities and community events.
The service has become a cornerstone of community support in Berwickshire, helping hundreds of older people build confidence, maintain social connections and improve their overall wellbeing.
Lesley Peaty, regional director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance, said: “Community initiatives like BeFriend show how strong partnerships can make a real difference locally. By supporting projects through the SPA Community Benefit Fund, we are helping organisations such as Berwickshire Housing Association create opportunities that strengthen communities and improve quality of life for residents.”
Dougie Paterson, social innovation lead at Berwickshire Housing Association, added: “Loneliness and isolation can have a profound impact on older people’s wellbeing, particularly in rural areas. BeFriend helps bring people together — whether that’s through a friendly chat, a shared activity or a day out in the community.
“We’ve seen first-hand the difference that meaningful social connections can make to people’s confidence, happiness and sense of belonging.”
Alongside BeFriend, Berwickshire Housing Association also works with partners, including award winning charity Penumbra, to deliver additional community support initiatives.
One such scheme is the BeWell programme, which provides specialist mental health and wellbeing support to tenants experiencing challenges that may affect their ability to sustain their tenancy. Since its launch in 2020, BeWell has been awarded a total of £60,000 from the SPA’s Community Benefit Fund to support its work.
Together, these services form part of the association’s wider commitment to supporting residents to live well, remain connected and thrive within their communities.
The BeFriend service is always looking for new volunteers who have time to offer companionship and support to older residents.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer can apply through Berwickshire Housing Association via this link.
Funding secured for befriending service which helps tackle loneliness in older people - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Newsletter Fri 29/05/2026
Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 29/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 29/05/2026
News from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Fri 31/05/2026
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News from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Fri 31/05/2026
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New podcast launched to encourage more men to talk about self-harm. By Tina Koenig, Self-Harm Network Scotland
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26 May 2026
by Tina Koenig
Penumbra Mental Health’s self-harm support service, Self-Harm Network Scotland, is hoping that its new podcast series will get more men talking about self-harm - Tina Koenig tells us more
Self-Harm Network Scotland currently supports around five times more women than men through its one-to-one support service. Yet, this does not necessarily reflect who is affected by self-harm.
Care Inspectorate Newsletter Provider update for adult and older people's services from the Care Inspectorate Thu 28/05/2026
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Care Inspectorate Newsletter Provider update for adult and older people's services from the Care Inspectorate Thu 28/05/2026
CyberScotland - CyberScotland Bulletin - May 2026 Thu 28-05-2026
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CyberScotland - CyberScotland Bulletin - May 2026 Thu 28-05-2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) - Health and Social Care e-Bulletin Wed 27/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) - Health and Social Care e-Bulletin Wed 27/05/2026
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It’s high time we made good on a 50-year old commitment on Human Rights. By Hyo Eun Shin, Third Force News (TFN)
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25 May 2026
by Hyo Eun Shin
Hyo Eun Shin: we have an opportunity to enshrine human rights in law
Fifty years ago this week, on 20th May 1976, the United Kingdom ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Care Inspectorate Provider update for children and young people's services from the Care Inspectorate Tue 26/05/2026
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Care Inspectorate Provider update for children and young people's services from the Care Inspectorate Tue 26/05/2026
Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 23/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 23/05/2026
Update on Code of practice for services, public functions and associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Thu 21/05/2026
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Update on Code of practice for services, public functions and associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Thu 21/05/2026
Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 15/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 15/05/2026
Care Inspectorate Newsletter Provider update for adult and older people's services from the Care Inspectorate Thu14/05/2026
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Care Inspectorate Newsletter Provider update for adult and older people's services from the Care Inspectorate Thu14/05/2026
Care Inspectorate Provider update for children and young people's services from the Care Inspectorate Tue 12/05/202
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Care Inspectorate Provider update for children and young people's services from the Care Inspectorate Tue 12/05/2026
NHS Health Research Authority HRA public involvement newsletter, May 2026 12-05-2026
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NHS Health Research Authority HRA public involvement newsletter, May 2026 12-05-2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) - Health and Social Care e-Bulletin Mon 12/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) - Health and Social Care e-Bulletin Mon 12/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 08/05/2026
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Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) Newsletter. News and events from across the Third Sector Fri 08/05/2026
The above information is from a GSS Health and social care newsletter - May 2026 From Government Statistical Service 08/05/2026
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GSS Health and social care newsletter - May 2026 From Government Statistical Service 08/05/2026
"Families abandoned" as dementia care in Scotland fails to meet basic needs - By Graham Martin, Third Force News (TFN)
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23 April 2026
by Graham Martin
Carers having to “fight for every single thing” from pre-diagnosis to end-of-life
Dementia care in Scotland is failing to meet basic needs with families and carers feeling abandoned and forgotten, a new survey from Alzheimer Scotland has found.
It said that 75% of respondents believe care in Scotland is not fair and consistent for everyone, with many saying they had to “fight for every single thing” from pre-diagnosis to end-of-life.
Scotland’s only children’s hospice charity launches £20m appeal to transform care
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17 April 2026
by Graham Martin
It will allow CHAS to meet rising pressure on children’s palliative care services
A charity has launched a £20 million appeal to change how Scotland cares for dying children.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) wants to ensure all families have real choice in joined up care, so no one faces the death of their child alone.
Read more: Scotland’s only children’s hospice charity launches £20m appeal to transform care
New strategy will help Scotland become more dyslexia friendly - By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
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8 April 2026
by Niall Christie
Dyslexia Scotland’s plan follows an extensive community profiling exercise
Dyslexia Scotland has launched a new five-year strategy setting out how it aims to create a more dyslexia-friendly Scotland.
Following an extensive community profiling exercise, the charity has identified six key priorities it says must be addressed to achieve its vision.
Social security is undergoing a springtime shift - By Erica Young, Erica Young Citizens Advice Scotland, Third Force News (TFN)
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13 April 2026
by Erica Young
Universal Credit changes are a mixed blessing, finds Erica Young
Universal Credit (UC), the UK’s primary social security payment for working age adults, is changing. And like shifting spring skies, some of the changes will enable people to breathe a little more freely, others have the potential to be deeply damaging.
Overall, what the changes illuminate is the distance there is to travel to reach a destination where our social security system provides a proper safety net, and springboard.
New plan to transform Scotland’s mental health system - By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
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10 April 2026
by Niall Christie
Scottish Recovery Network launches new ten-year strategy.
A new 10-year strategic plan, launched this week by Scottish Recovery Network, sets out an ambitious vision for lived experience and peer support to drive transformational change in Scotland’s mental health system.
From HRA (Health Research Authority) Clinical Trials update - 9 April 2026
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From HRA (Health Research Authority) Clinical Trials update - 9 April 2026
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"We need to act now for autistic rights" By Graham Martin, Third Force News (TFN)
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31 March 2026
by Graham Martin
World Autism Acceptance Month starts as charity launches Holyrood campaign
Campaigners will come together to mark the start of World Autism Acceptance Month (WAAM) on Thursday, 2 April.
The event takes place every year to raise awareness of autism – and during April, hundreds of autistic people and families across Scotland will be walking 5k to celebrate WAAM, raise awareness and show solidarity with one another.
Read more: "We need to act now for autistic rights" By Graham Martin, Third Force News (TFN)
A new corporate plan pointing towards a sustainable future for social care and social work in Scotland - from a Care Inspectorate. Care News from the Care Inspectorate Thu 26/03/2026
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A new corporate plan pointing towards a sustainable future for social care and social work in Scotland
Motability Scheme Newsletter March 2026, We’re making some changes to the Motability Scheme
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Motability Scheme Newsletter March 2026, We’re making some changes to the Motability Scheme
The fake text messages that can cost you thousands - By Gillian Fyfe, Third Force News (TFN)
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16 March 2026
by Gillian Fyfe
Scams are on the rise warns Gillian Fyfe
Mobile phones are great for keeping in touch and getting online - but what we’re seeing more and more are texts that are actually scams.
How many of us have received a message and thought, or almost thought, is this genuine? How many of us acted on such messages, sharing our details or banking information, only to then realise this was a clever trick that we fell for? How many of us have felt embarrassed, or lost money as a result? The answer is far too many unfortunately.
- Dementia project at rewilding estate brings people closer to nature - By Graham Martin, Third Force News (TFN)
- Dyslexia teacher training places to double thanks to Scottish Government funding. Katie Carmichael, Third Force News (TFN)
- Assisted dying in Scotland: let’s separate fear from fact. Emma Cooper, Third Force News (TFN)
- “Point of no return”: Warning over Scotland’s social care crisis. By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
- National Autistic Society announces grants for charity projects supporting autistic people. By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
- Government told to “fund social care like it matters” By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
- Urgent warning sounded over the future of Scotland's social care services - By Graham Martin from Third Force News (TFN)
- Call for new Disabled People’s Access and Opportunities Bill from Scottish charity. By Niall Christie, Third Force News (TFN)
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