Upside Managers met at Impact Arts in Glasgow last week to discuss Emergency Early Release and make plans for 2026. A big thanks to all Upsiders for your hard work this year! Grateful for an amazing team - enjoy the festive season.

Did you know that Upside is delivered by a partnership of eight national charities? We work together using an innovative pod model that allows us to share expertise and respond to local throughcare needs. Each pod has a monthly meeting - here is Pod 7, South Scotland, in Ayr!

Scotland's emergency early release programmes is examined in BBC Radio Scotland's 'Scotcast' podcast. Joe, one of our Prison Throughcare Workers in Barlinnie spoke to them about the challenges people face on release (20:51): buff.ly/YwJOVOS

Upside Community Workers recently visited HMP Grampian to attend their Throughcare Open Day, part of Prisoners' Week. A great chance to share what we do and connect with colleagues in housing, recovery, peer support, and family services! #throughcare #prisonersweek #HMPGrampian

We recently held our first Upside Voices sessions across the country: opportunities for the people we support to share their views and influence the design and delivery of our service. Here, two of our Voices Champions explain why this is so important to them.

The Upside team were delighted to be invited along to the launch event for Prisoners Week Scotland, held at Lethan St Marks in Perth. The marketplace was a fantastic opportunity to meet with other service providers and promote the work of Upside. #PrisonersWeek #Crossroads

Although we understand the need for Emergency Early Release, lessons must be learned from the process. Inadequate pre-release planning is a major worry for the wellbeing and outcomes for those released. buff.ly/jHYvwS6

Upside staff made a massive effort yesterday to ensure - as far as possible - people were not left unsupported as a result of the first Emergency Early Release. Huge thanks to them all for their dedication and resilience on such a challenging day.

It's six months today since we launched Upside. So far we have taken over 500 helpline calls and supported more than 1100 people leaving prison all across Scotland. This is vital help for people returning to their communities; prepared, supported and safe. buff.ly/YiPXWrA

Family relationships can be critical in motivating change for young people in custody. Upside can help to strengthen family connections when needed. www.upside.scot/case-studies...

Susie has struggled to build trust and have meaningful healthy relationships with anyone for many years. That's starting to heal with Upside support. www.upside.scot/case-studies...

We are inviting people with lived experience of the justice system (community sentencing, bail or remand, or being in prison) to take part in small, informal group discussions this August. What you share will help shape how prison and community sentences are used in Scotland.

South Lanarkshire’s Recovery Oriented Justice Service is a great example of how statutory and voluntary sector partnerships working together can make a real impact in addressing drug and alcohol harm. Let’s see more of it! www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area...

Building solid relationships plays a big part in helping people engage and seek the support they need to transition from custody to community. www.upside.scot/case-studies...

Thanks to @scottishprisons staff at HMP Kilmarnock for having us along to one of their Veterans’ Breakfasts. A great initiative to help armed forces veterans get together in a safe space and develop a peer support network. www.sps.gov.uk/about-us/our...

Navigating the host of necessary appointments on release from prison when you have health or mobility issues can be a major challenge. Upside support can be there to provide support: www.upside.scot/case-studies...

Upside's ethos of #collaboration and multi-agency involvement means better outcomes for people transitioning to community life from custody. www.upside.scot/case-studies...

Exciting News We're thrilled to welcome Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine as the new Chief Executive of Apex Scotland, starting in early August! Currently CEO at Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home, Lindsay brings fantastic experience as we continue our journey of growth and change. www.apexscotland.org.uk/news/our-new...

Upside support helped Simon into work and housing, providing structure, confidence, and a second chance: www.upside.scot/case-studies...

Upside provides people in short-term custody, or remand with the practical and emotional support they need to transition to community life. youtu.be/J7Ujg7hLuUc?...

Excellent piece in @ThirdForceNews on Upside and the importance of throughcare in supporting people leaving custody: tfn.scot/magazine/apr...

No Downside: New ‘Upside’ Prison Throughcare Service Launches Across Scotland www.sacro.org.uk/post/no-down...

Great to meet with the brilliant Upside team who, from today, will be delivering throughcare to people leaving custody across Scotland. #UpsideLaunch

Today we are launching Upside, a national throughcare service, available in all parts of Scotland. Upside provides people in short-term custody, or remand with the practical and emotional support they need to transition to community life. #UpsideLaunch

Find out more. Call Upside on Freephone (9am - 5pm): 0800 587 7263, Email: [email protected], or visit our website: upside.scot

Seeing the Upside is the first step towards a positive life beyond prison. Choose support made with you and for you, led by a personal worker who’s always on your side. We’ll help you towards the essentials you need to turn life around on the outside — from housing, to working, to living well.