Outside the Box

It was great to join Invisible Cities last week at their Glasgow networking event. Interesting to hear all about @mediaco-op.bsky.social and the power of storytelling.
These networking events are a welcoming and inclusive space for people from across the third sector and beyond to connect.

8 hand paint recycled glass jars on a table

Hand painted glass jar with flowers.

It was great to join
@moments_freedom
yesterday in Clydebank for a relaxing glass painting session. During Ramadan we are focussing on arts and crafts, with a goal of producing some pieces that could be sold to raise money for group funds.

Two new resources to help you get ready for the Scottish Parliament Election - Outside the Box With the next election taking place on Thursday 7th May, we’ve launched two new resources to guide you through everything you need to know.

With less than 3 months to go, make sure you are election ready with our two resources 🗳️ otbds.org/two-new-reso...

Two new resources to help you get ready for the Scottish Parliament Election - Outside the Box With the next election taking place on Thursday 7th May, we’ve launched two new resources to guide you through everything you need to know.

With less than 3 months to go, make sure you are election ready with our two resources 🗳️ otbds.org/two-new-reso...

We had a lovely session with the Moments of Freedom group yesterday. The group have now officially signed their constitution and we ate a lovely Syrian meal to celebrate in advance of Ramadan.

www.momentsoffreedom.org

Having a say about the Climate Change Plan - Outside the Box What we're hearing from supporting groups (especially people living with dementia) to take part in the Climate Change Plan consultation.

Having a say about the Climate Change Plan

Our blog shares some of the climate impacts and reflections from the groups and communities we work alongside, including our #ClimateWisdom partnership project.

otbds.org/climate-chan...

Pink and white pop up banner of Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference 2026. Logos of The Alliance, Justice, William Grant Foundation, Corra Foundation and Law Society of Scotland funders.

Front page of pink and white paper hand out of Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference 2026. Logos of The Alliance, Justice, William Grant Foundation, Corra Foundation and Law Society of Scotland funders.

4 panel members sitting in front of a table with glasses of water, notes and microphones. A projector screen is on the wall with the wording "The Workers' Observatory and Migrant Justice Edinburgh. The power of migrant-led organisations"

Yesterday our team attended the Scottish Human Rights Conference in Glasgow alongside over 150 delegates. We sat in on interesting workshops on Migration Rights in Scotland, Children's Rights and UK Human Rights Perspective and Priorities. A big thank you to Human Rights Consortium Scotland!

Approaches that nurture wellbeing and resilience - Outside the Box When we talk about the difference we make, it includes statistics and reach. But positive community-led change means more than numbers show.

At Outside the Box we work together with communities to help them adapt and grow to challenges, from healthcare access to renewable energy. We help more people use approaches which value communities’ strengths

otbds.org/wellbeing-an...

New guides: Starting LGBTIQ+ families in Scotland - Outside the Box Two new resources about starting LGBTIQ families in Scotland, written by the Queer Families community groups.

We recently launched two new guides from the Queer Families groups, written by and for LGBTIQ+ people in Scotland. We hope these guides help make the possible pathways to starting a family clearer, and the journey feel more supported from the beginning. otbds.org/starting-lgb...

Intergenerational National Network - Outside the Box The Intergenerational National Network connects people and organisations in Scotland - and beyond! - to share multi-generational ideas.

The Intergenerational National Network (INN) brings together people across Scotland, and further afield, who have an interest in intergenerational and multigenerational working and practices.
There are two events in February, find out when and where on our website:
otbds.org/projects/int...

Intergenerational National Network - Outside the Box The Intergenerational National Network connects people and organisations in Scotland - and beyond! - to share multi-generational ideas.

The Intergenerational National Network (INN) brings together people across Scotland, and further afield, who have an interest in intergenerational and multigenerational working and practices.
There are two events in February, find out when and where on our website:
otbds.org/projects/int...

Climate Wisdom Meeting Centres Training - Outside the Box Meeting Centres Scotland welcomed us to take part in their ‘Meeting Centres UK’ training, a 5-week course learning all about Meeting Centres.

We are always learning from the communities we work alongside, this happens in lots of different ways and sometimes that’s through shared experiences. Recently we were lucky to take part in a training programme designed around the needs of the learners – including us!
otbds.org/climate-wisd...

What’s important to you? - Scottish Parliament Elections - Outside the Box

With Scottish Parliamentary elections coming up this spring, take a look at our guide for what you need to think about or do before you to go the ballot box🗳️
otbds.org/resources/wh...

Empowering New Scots women: Moments of Freedom in West Dunbartonshire  - New Scots

We spoke to Scottish Refugee Council about the partnership between Outside the Box and Moments of Freedom and how community-led projects can empower individuals, influence policy, and create lasting connections that strengthen communities over time.
newscots.scot/empowering-n...

Climate Wisdom - Outside the Box Climate Wisdom is a 5-year inclusive, dementia-friendly climate action project. The project will be delivered within Meeting Centres.

Shared learning and collaboration are key to community-led change. We’re delighted to be part of a partnership project bridging the gaps between community-led dementia support and climate action. Read more about our innovative Climate Wisdom project otbds.org/projects/cli...

It's a good day to go for a walk ☀️👣🧠

Give your body, mind and mood a well-earned boost. Everyday journeys on foot don't need to be far, or for long - but every step counts.

What do your daily journeys look like? Let us know in the comments or share your story.
#GetMoving

Contacting your elected representatives - Outside the Box As part of our Connecting Equalities project we have been speaking to people across Scotland about how they contact elected representatives.

As part of our Connecting Equalities project we have been speaking to people across Scotland to find out what they wanted to know about contacting their elected representatives and made this handy pdf guide.

otbds.org/contacting-y...

Moments of Freedom

For the past 8 years we have been working with a New Scots women’s group, Moments of Freedom, in West Dunbartonshire. Our work encourages connection through shared culture and heritage, fostering respect and stronger social connections. More information can be found at www.momentsoffreedom.org

Access to support that helps people live well - Outside the Box When we talk about the difference we make, it includes statistics and reach. But positive community-led change means more than numbers show.

To live well and take part in our communities, we all need our basic needs and rights met. From social and health care, to transport, greenspaces and wellbeing activities, we work with people and organisations to improve access to good support. otbds.org/access-to-su...

Our Story - Outside the Box Outside the Box began in 2004, to help people create changes they wanted to see in their communities and services they use.

Happy New Year! We are looking forward to another year of working with communities across Scotland on projects, consultations and evaluations that matter to them. You can find out more about what we do on our website otbds.org/about/our-st...

From all of us at Outside the Box, we wish you a peaceful winter break and many happy returns for the new year. We will see you in January!

With the OTB team finishing up for the winter break we would like to take the time to thank all of our community members, supporters, partners and funders! We've had a busy 2025 and we are looking forward to the work we have planned in 2026!

Winter Support and Cost of Living Resources - Outside the Box This blog shares our new Winter Support resources. The booklets have tips from local people on the cost of living, and staying warm and well.

We’ve been talking to communities from the Borders to the North coast about how they get through difficult winters. Local people across Scotland have lots of wisdom and ideas to offer, check them out in our winter support resource.

otbds.org/winter-suppo...

8 smiling people stand together behind a table as one person cuts a cake

Thanks to East Ren Equalities Forum for inviting us to their #HumanRightsDay meeting to deliver a #humanrights session @inspiringscotland.bsky.social

We recently visited Invisible Cities members to deliver a training session about every day human rights and how to contact elected representatives in Scotland. If you are interested in this for your group or organisation, don't hesitate to get in touch! #HumanRightsDay

This #HumanRightsDay, we’ve joined 180+ orgs across the UK in signing an open letter to the Prime Minister & political leaders, urging them to support human rights, say no to plans that weaken them, help people to use their human rights & say that human rights are for everyone.

Read it below 👇

Greener Peebles recipe book - Outside the Box

otbds.org/resources/gr...

What and how to cook in winter - Outside the Box

otbds.org/resources/wh...

otbds.org/resources/co...

You might be baking and cooking a lot more over the next few weeks. Why not try some of our community recipes, from traditional Syrian dishes to meals made from ingredients grown in Peebles! Find our recipe and cook books on our website 🧑‍🍳https://otbds.org/resources/moments-of-freedom-recipe-book/