Sisco

26/04/2026

Happy 6th birthday, Sisco.

Six years… and somehow it feels like a lifetime. Like 160 years lived in the space of six. Every high, every setback, every moment of doubt, every breakthrough, all woven into something that started with nothing but belief.

Creating this charity has been one of the hardest, bravest things I’ve ever done. There were no guarantees. Just a deep knowing, that the system had gaps, that people were falling through them, and that lived experience, compassion, and truth had a place in filling them. I wanted to build something that didn’t just “support” people, but saw them. Heard them. Held space for them to heal.

And to build something like this… you don’t do it alone.
To our board, thank you for believing in something that didn’t always make sense on paper. For standing beside us, even when the path wasn’t clear, even when it meant going against the grain. That kind of courage matters more than you know.

To our staff and volunteers, our tribe. You carry this work in ways that can’t always be measured. The quiet conversations, the moments of connection, the times you show up when it’s heavy and keep showing up anyway. This charity is what it is because of your compassion, your strength, and your refusal to look away.

To our funders The Corra Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Robertson Trust, and the Celtic Foundation, thank you for trusting us with your support. Because of you, this work exists. Because of you, lives are being changed on the daily.

And to the men, women, and families who have trusted us over these years… this is really for you.
Thank you for letting us in.
Thank you for your honesty, even when it was painful.
Thank you for your courage, when it would have been easier to stay where you were.
Thank you for daring to believe, even just a little, that things could be different.
You are the reason we exist.

Six years of a brave wee charity, built on love, truth, and the belief that change is always possible.
And we’re just getting started.
Go us ⚖️

Corra Foundation The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Celtic FC Foundation

20/04/2026

Edinburgh Recovery posse!!!

Level up with our good friend Rod Anderson and the troops from Recovery Coaching Scotland ♥️

🌟 Edinburgh – Ready to Build Your Recovery Toolkit? 🌟

We’re excited to be running our Recovery Training Course right here in Craigmillar at The BOTHY 💜

This is a supportive, peer-led space for anyone looking to move forward from drugs and alcohol use, build confidence, and create a more positive future.

Over 11 workshops, we’ll cover things like:
✨ Goal setting & finding direction
✨ Building resilience
✨ Understanding thoughts, emotions & behaviours
✨ Trauma-informed recovery
✨ Communication & connection
✨ Living in the here and now

This isn’t about lectures—it’s about real conversations, lived experience, and practical tools you can actually use in everyday life.

📍 Running twice weekly @ The BOTHY, Craigmillar
📧 john@recoverycoachingscot.org
📱 07465 436539 (call or WhatsApp)

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your recovery, you’ll be welcomed as you are.

You don’t have to do this alone 🤝

14/04/2026

Why work for Community Justice Scotland? At Community Justice Scotland (CJS) we understand that our colleagues are the most important asset we have.  We use a values based approach in […]

13/04/2026

Today’s group with our amazing trustee Lee Davidson was something else.

A safe, controlled space where there was no judgment, just real emotion.

We spoke about anger… not as something “bad,” but as something that serves a purpose. A protector. A response to what’s been carried for too long.

And then we released it.

Smashing. Letting go. Shifting that built-up energy and cortisol out of the body.

Because holding it in doesn’t heal us.

Spaces like this matter.
Spaces where people feel safe enough to be real.

Healing isn’t pretty.
It’s messy, loud, emotional… and necessary.

And we’re here for all of it.

13/04/2026

I think anyone that knows us knows how hard we work at Sisco to create a real community environment inside every residential establishment we’re in. The root of our work is relationships.

That means building relationships with the men, with prison officers, governors, Heads of Offender Outcomes… building links with new partners and organisations, and more importantly, staying connected with families on the outside.

Our Kevin has worked tirelessly over the last year in his role as Prison Manager, creating new partnerships and real opportunities for the men both inside and when they leave. Honestly mate, it doesn’t go unnoticed 👏

We’re also delighted that Cha Cairns is coming up to Barlinnie to speak to some of the residents. His story, how he turned his life around, became an author, and now strives to be the best version of himself, is exactly the kind of message we want the men to hear.

Because that’s what it’s all about for us, helping people unlock their potential and transform their lives. Not just for them, but for their families and the wider community too.

Well done Kevin Coyne, proud of the work you’re doing pal ⚖️

Scottish Prison Service

10/04/2026

The Scottish Prison Service Communications Team is recruiting for a full-time role.

A unique chance to work in a dynamic environment, gain insight into life within prisons, and create impactful communications that inform the public and support those in custody.

Interested? Learn more and apply below 👇

View details and apply for this Communications Officer vacancy in Scottish Prison Service Headquarters - Edinburgh. Working in a small but busy team, the role holder will work within the Scottish Prison Service's Office of the Chief Executive . The role requires a high level of collaboration with .....

09/04/2026

We genuinely believe that the continued success we have at Sisco would not be possible without our commitment to collaborative working with multiple organisations and statutory services. We fully understand the importance of people being supported by a range of services throughout their recovery journey.

For those coming from backgrounds of complex trauma, adversity, homelessness, and poverty, the journey can be one of the most isolating experiences they ever face. That's why, at Sisco, we don’t do it alone, we do it together. Recovery is a shared journey. It is a “we” thing.

Mick Stoney took a massive leap of faith, and we will always give praise to HMP Barlinnie, because it was that environment that gave us the key to unlock the potential in so many of the residents we have worked with over the past 10 years.

Massive congratulations to Bobby. Bobby has done incredibly well throughout his time in Barlinnie, then in going on to residential rehab, completing it successfully, and now living a fulfilling life in the community, knowing that he deserves to be seen and valued by society.

Well done to the Scottish Prison Service. That is what unlocking potential and transforming lives looks like. But it is only possible when we work together collectively to achieve the same outcome ⚖️

08/04/2026

We talk often about the work we do in the jail, but for obvious reasons it can be difficult to fully show what success really looks like behind the walls.

The new episodes of "Inside Barlinnie" on BBC offer a powerful glimpse into that reality, highlighting not only the dedication of SPS staff and Governor Mick Stoney, but also the meaningful work happening every day through Sisco.

It’s easy to judge from the outside. But when we choose to be open-minded, we create space for real, lasting change.

A huge thank you to the filming team, the incredible staff who show up day in and day out, and most importantly, the residents who are putting in the hard work to become a new version of themselves.

And to the Sisco team, thank you for showing up, every single day ⚖️❤️

Its not what we say, it's what we do!

Scottish Prison Service

01/04/2026

Inside Barlinnie watch Tuesday 7th of April on BBC Iplayer ⚖️

01/04/2026

We are truly honoured to stand alongside such a powerful group of lived experience warriors working across justice, addiction, and academia ⚖️♥️

A heartfelt thank you to Tracey McFall and the Scottish Recovery Consortium for creating a space where collaboration, honesty, and shared learning can thrive.

It was inspiring to connect with leading voices in the field, including Professor David Best and Andy Perkins, conversations that challenge thinking and push meaningful change forward.

Collaboration is key to getting systems right, and together, that change feels possible.

Grateful to all the organisations who have committed to being part of that change. 💫

Scottish Recovery Consortium

The power of lived experience. 💜

On the 19th of March, we had the privilege of bringing together leaders from Recovery Communities all across Scotland. The decades of collective lived experience in the room were truly inspiring, and that insight is what shapes real and lasting change.

By centring the voices and experiences of people within our communities, we are actively building the evidence base that supports the change we know is needed, and the change communities themselves are calling for. Their contributions are directly informing and strengthening the future of recovery in Scotland.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and shared their truth. We look forward to continuing to work alongside you to drive meaningful change across Scotland!

31/03/2026

Harbour Ayrshire can you guys help? Ayr Housing Aid Centre SCIO ♥️

31/03/2026

A massive thank you to our Senior Mentor Kirsty for stepping up into the role of Acting Manager while Gemma is off.

Kirsty has been part of Sisco for five years, consistently pouring her heart and soul into the work. Even before that, she dedicated a year volunteering, something that truly reflects the kind of person she is.

Kirsty is one of the artichokes of Sisco, grounded, resilient, and essential to everything we do. She leads by example every single day. At Sisco, we always say it’s not about what we say, it’s about what we do, and Kirsty lives that through her actions in our working environment.

This is a team effort, always. But we want to take a moment to recognise Kirsty for stepping into some really big shoes and doing it with care, strength, and integrity.

Your hard work never goes unnoticed. Thank you, Kirsty ♥️