A big thanks to West Dunbartonshire @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social for coming out speak to the Moments of Freedom group about what support they can offer members. We are looking forward to this continuing partnership! 🔈

📣Some organisational news from OTB! Find out more about our new collaborative leadership model on our latest blog otbds.org/collaborativ...

📢 Take part in research on human rights in the voluntary sector! Join relaxed discussions, with lunch provided, to explore how human rights-based approaches can support your work. Sessions run in May with @thre-equal.bsky.social and @sbs.strath.ac.uk Please sign up: forms.office.com/e/d8A7XGHCDc

The Scottish Parliament elections are on 7 May. Key dates: Register to vote by 20 April Apply for a postal vote by 21 April Apply for a proxy vote by 28 April If your details being on the electoral register could put you at risk, you can register anonymously. Register: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

LGBTQI+ families in Scotland often face barriers in accessing services and community spaces. We can support services and organisations to understand barriers and create supportive spaces for LGBTQI+ families. Email [email protected] to find out more. otbds.org/what-we-do/p...

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

We love getting out and about in the communities we work with. Recently we visited Meeting Centres in Fife and Angus; community-based support groups for people living with dementia and their care partners. Find out about their amazing member-led spaces www.meetingcentres.scot

With less than 40 days until the Scottish Parliament election, get yourself election ready with our new resources otbds.org/two-new-reso...

Last week we heard from 4 organisations at our Connecting Equalities webinar and asked them to put forward 3 asks to Scottish Parliament candidates and the new Scottish Government. otbds.org/projects/con...

The sun came out just in time for the STAND Cupar and Dunfermline Meeting Centres and Katie & Christine from the Climate Wisdom team visit to the Scottish Deer Centre. otbds.org/climate-wisd...

We're in Glasgow today at the @alliancescot.bsky.social Conference 'Hope to Action'. 'Hope' is a strong theme across our work supporting communities and we're excited to hear from other groups and organisations in workshops and talks. If you see us at the conference do come and say hello!

Last week we spent an energising day at the Fife Communities Climate Action Network and Fife Climate Hub Gathering in Kirkcaldy as part of our Climate Wisdom project. otbds.org/projects/cli...

We had an informative day at the Scottish Human Rights Commission's 'South of Scotland - Have your say on Economic, Social and Cultural rights' event at Borders College. Lots of interesting and insightful conversations.

On International Women's Day the women of Moments of Freedom shared some of their favourite family recipes. The group have decided to start publishing these and the first is fattoush salad! 🥗

Outside the Box’s vision is a society where communities are welcoming and inclusive, and where people can contribute to making their communities work well for them and for everyone. otbds.org/about/our-ap...

Since 2018 we’ve been supporting the Queer Families group in Glasgow, to help LGBTIQ+ families with children find ways to connect and build community. Over the last year, this grew a lot – with more families joining and new spin-off groups starting up. Check them out! otbds.org/starting-new...

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.

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.

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

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 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...

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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!

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...

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 👇

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/

There is an exciting new post developed as part of the #ClimateWisdom project. Find out more about the STAND Climate Wisdom Development Worker role on our website otbds.org/stand-climat...

Our Winter Support resource shares tips for supporting each other through Winter. Local people across Scotland have lots of wisdom and ideas to offer. We put together this booklet for anyone who may struggle over the next few months. otbds.org/winter-suppo...

It was brilliant to join Invisible Cities Glasgow yesterday and run a “Contacting your elected representatives” training session. You can read our corresponding resource on our website otbds.org/contacting-y...

There is an exciting new post developed as part of the #ClimateWisdom project. Find out more about the STAND Climate Wisdom Development Worker role on our website otbds.org/stand-climat...

We had a brilliant time with the Moments of Freedom group yesterday in Dalmuir at their community gathering. Lots of lovely Syrian dishes and great conversation

Yesterday the women of Moments of Freedom hosted a community gathering in Clydebank. They shared their work, what life has been like recently and some lovely Syrian desserts with attendees🧁

"Volunteering with OTB is giving me social connections, learning opportunities and making me feel I’m playing a small part to support people’s wellbeing." Thanks to Corrine for all her great work, she explains more in our Volunteer Guest Blog. otbds.org/volunteer-gu...

At Outside the Box we work passionately to connect and empower communities. We are a ‘Mum Friendly Workplace’, Living Wage employer and support Fair Work First. Meet our team and Board otbds.org/about/our-pe...