About Lead Scotland

Imagine a Scotland where every disabled person and carer has the support they need to fulfill their potential. That’s the vision that drives Lead Scotland.

For too many, barriers block the path to learning, connection, and participation. We break down those barriers through personalised, empowering support. Whether it’s through our dedicated befriending projects, essential one-to-one learning in communities and homes, or our national helpline providing crucial advice and information, we ensure people have the confidence and tools to move forward.

We champion ambitions for career, volunteering, and personal growth, while also working at a national level to influence policy—guaranteeing that the voices and needs of those we support are heard and integrated into Scotland’s learning and training landscape. We are the bridge to a more inclusive future.

Our Vision

A fair society where disabled people and carers have an equal opportunity to learn, participate and achieve their potential.

Our Mission

To influence change and provide personalised learning, befriending, advice and information services.

Our values

Equality

Integrity

Openness

Mutual Respect

Kindness

Governance

Finances

Impact

2023-2026 Strategy

Our 3 year Strategic Goals for 2023 to 2026

Offer more local and remote learning opportunities, which improve access, offer accreditation, build confidence and skills, reducing educational exclusion. 
Extend our befriending services to reduce social isolation and create new pathways to learning. 
Extend our disabled student’s helpline and information services so that more students understand their rights, entitlements and make informed choices about their options.  
More disabled people have the opportunity to influence policy makers, breaking down systemic barriers to improve access for future learners.

Strategic Goal 1 – Local Learning Opportunities:

Strategic Goal 2 – Remote Learning:

Strategic Goal 3 – Befriending:

Strategic Goal 4 – Disabled Student’s Helpline:

Strategic Goal 5 – Influence Policy Change:

Quality Assurance

Lead Scotland held Investing in Volunteers from 2005 to 2022 and has the Volunteer Friendly Award in several local areas. We use the self evaluation resource How Good is our Third Sector Organisation to improve and are inspected by HMIE. Lead Scotland is proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer. Our SQA Centre undertakes regular external verification visits.

Digital Participation Signatory

Lead Scotland has signed Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter meaning our organisation is committed to digitally skilling up our workforce, members and stakeholders.

Privacy Statement

Please see our privacy policy for more details on how we collect, hold and delete personal information.

Further Information

You may wish to find a local project or meet the team.