Sisco

30/03/2026

Sometimes it can feel hard to share the stories of the people we support. There are stereotypes, judgments, and real pain attached to the crimes that brought many into prison.

The reality is that for many of the men and women we work with, their offending was rooted in addiction, trauma, and a need to escape overwhelming thoughts and experiences from childhood. Others have committed more serious offences and served long sentences. None of that is ignored, and we never take away from the impact on victims and families.

But there is another side to these stories, one that deserves to be seen.

Rehabilitation is real. Change is possible.
The role of the prison system is not just containment, but transformation, to unlock potential and support people to rebuild their lives. We’re proud to play a part in that journey.

Today, we celebrate Rab.
I first met Rab in 2016 when he engaged as a service user in the Recovery Café in Barlinnie. Over the past 10 years, that connection has grown into something far more, not just friendship, but a bond built on trust, growth, and shared purpose.

Today marks 5 years free from prison.
In that time, Rab has committed himself to real, meaningful change. He has worked deeply on victim awareness, offending behaviours, substance use, and his own personal development. He is now studying for a counselling degree, driven by a desire to give back to the very community he once harmed.

Rab is now one of our senior volunteers, showing up consistently to support other men who are still in the place he once was.

This is what change looks like.
This is what rehabilitation looks like.
This is what hope looks like.

So today, we ask you to take a moment to recognise that.

Congratulations, Rab.
We’re proud of you ❤️

30/03/2026

Motivational monday with the troops ⚖️

What does accountability look like ❤️

27/03/2026

Isn’t it funny how quick we are to judge the young team?

Children growing up through trauma, adversity, and environments that don’t offer safety, nurturing, or positive role models… yet we’re so quick to say they should behave better. Do better. Be better.

But how can we expect that, when we don’t even know what they’ve been shown?

Some of these young people have only ever seen negative behaviours. Surrounded by chaos. Influenced by peers who are trying to navigate the same uncertainty as them. And still, we judge from the outside looking in.

At Sisco, as always we’re choosing to do something different.

Over the coming months, we’ll be working with Police Scotland Greater Glasgow and the young people in Springburn and surrounding areas, helping them understand what’s really going on in their brains. Why they react the way they do. Why their bodies are full of adrenaline and cortisol. Why emotional regulation isn’t something they’ve had the chance to learn yet.

This isn’t about funding.
This is about responsibility.
This is about community.

We’ll use our tools, our experience, and our lived understanding to help these young people make better choices, not through fear, but through awareness.

Because if even one young person listens…
if even one young person chooses a different path…

That’s enough to make a difference.
Because when we know better, we do better.
And like we always say at Sisco

It’s not what we say.
It’s what we do that we’re measured on ⚖️♥️

26/03/2026

Mens group with Admina Nwrc ❤️

25/03/2026

Our Thomas ♥️

How do you sum up someone like Thomas… one of the kindest souls you could ever meet?

He came to Sisco unsure of his future, not knowing where life would take him next, only certain that he needed something different from the chaos he’d been living in.

Today, Thomas proved himself right… and any doubters wrong.

Today, our Thomas is fully clean and sober after a lifetime of addiction.

We see you.
We value you.
We appreciate you.

And we couldn’t be prouder ❤️

20/03/2026

Friday good news story 🌟

A few weeks ago, we were incredibly grateful to receive £15,000 from The Corra Foundation as a hardship fund. This funding was intended to support our community members, families, and individuals in crisis who are facing real hardship and looking for help.

We are absolutely delighted to be in a position to support our community, particularly as we work in one of Scotland’s most multiply disadvantaged areas. To be able to give back and stand alongside people during some of the most difficult times in their lives has been heartwarming, overwhelming, and a huge source of pride and gratitude for all of us at Sisco.

Already, we have distributed £5,000 of the fund. This has included supporting a woman fleeing domestic violence, helping a young man decorate his home so he can regain access to his son, and providing assistance across recovery communities to some of the most marginalised people in society.

Being able to offer something as simple as a £50 gift card to someone in crisis, or even a £20 Greggs voucher so someone can access a warm meal, is something we have never before been in a financial position to do. To now be able to give back in this way to a community that is so often wounded and struggling means more than words can fully express.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Corra and the Scottish Government for continuing to support Sisco and for sharing our commitment to helping our community be as well as it can be. This hardship funding is already making a real difference, helping people move through crisis with dignity and support.

We look forward to providing a full report on how the funding has been spent and distributed among those most in need.

Thank you again to The Corra Foundation. Your support continues to be one of our anchors ⚓️ ❤️
Corra Foundation The Scottish Government

18/03/2026

A statement from our chief executive.

1,146 people died.

1,146 human beings. Sons, daughters, mums, dads, pals… gone. And the truth is, so many of those deaths were preventable.

I’ve been campaigning for years now, alongside people who’ve been shouting even longer than me, about the gaps in service provision. About what we’re getting right, but more importantly, what we’re getting wrong.

And still… here we are.

Every few years, the policies change. The language changes. We move from “trauma-informed” to “human rights approaches.” But let’s be honest, people in addiction are not experiencing their human rights. They’re no feeling seen. They’re no feeling heard. And they’re definitely no feeling valued.

So when do we start telling the truth?

When do we stop buying into the same narratives that tell us things are improving, when the numbers say the opposite?

Because what we’re delivering right now… it’s no working.

That’s not about blaming workers, because there are incredible people across Scotland breaking their backs every single day trying to make a difference. But they’re burnt out. They’re under-resourced. And they’re working in a system that’s fractured… if not completely broken.

We’ve had the meetings.
We’ve had the focus groups.
We’ve written the strategies.

But if that doesn’t reach the person who’s sitting struggling, using, hurting, then what’s the point?

People trust lived experience.
They trust grassroots.
They trust the ones who’ve been there, who understand, who don’t judge.

Too many don’t trust statutory services, not because of the workers, but because of what they’ve experienced.

So maybe it’s time we start doing things differently.

Like Professor Alan Miller said, why are we not funding from the grassroots up? Why are the people closest to the problem not the ones being properly supported to be part of the solution?

And another thing… when are we going to stop gatekeeping?
Gatekeeping services.
Gatekeeping support.
Gatekeeping the truth behind the statistics.

Because 1,146 deaths is too many.

So what do we do now?
Do we throw the towel in and say we’ve lost the war on drugs?

Or do we stand up together, and say enough is enough?

Because this isn’t about one service. One sector. One team.

This is about all of us.

Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.
Health and Social Care Partnerships.
Integrated Joint Boards.
Commissioners.
Grassroots.
Statutory.

All of us have a responsibility.

We need to work together, properly.
We need to share clients, not compete for them.
We need to signpost better.
We need to be honest.

And we need to act, urgently.

Because the next time we see these numbers…

They need to be lower.

And when they are, we’ll know we’re finally starting to get it right.

11/03/2026

11/03/2026

Thank you, Jen at Creative Spark Theatre Arts, for another brilliant afternoon of stepping outside our comfort zones.

The confidence and laughter we experience every week through creative drama is so uplifting for our guys. It’s amazing to watch them grow, open up, and support one another in such a positive space.

Thank you for helping fill our cups, Jen, you’re a true community angel. ✨

11/03/2026

What a great day celebrating IWD with the ladies at Wings 🪽 ❤️ 🪽 Thank you Admina Nwrc for hosting such a great day ♥️ Women supporting women 🙏

11/03/2026

Communities heal Communities ♥️

09/03/2026

Happy belly button birthday to our wee Catrina Mullen 💓

One of the bravest and most determined women to ever walk through the doors at Sisco.

Tina first came into the service a wee bit unsure about the road ahead… fast forward a year and she’s now running the place and keeping us all right in line!

From finding her feet to bossing the Sisco team about like she’s the gaffer, it’s been some journey to watch. The strength, graft and heart she’s shown has been unreal.

We love you wee barra and couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’re becoming.

Now behave yourself… at least for the day! 🎂💛