Publications

Debt and Arrears in Scotland: Policy and Practice Development

Social Bridging Finance Model Evaluation

We are pleased to share the final evaluation report of Social Bridging Finance (SBF), a funding model which aimed to enhance the sustainability of public services, particularly those of a preventative nature. First commissioned in 2019, the evaluation with Iconic Consulting and Glasgow Caledonian University aimed to generate learning around each component of the model, from the early design stage to the sustaining of services. For The Robertson Trust, we were particularly keen to better understand the role of an independent funder in system change and use the learning to inform future practice.

Debt & Arrears in Scotland: Putting Money Owed to Public Bodies at the Forefront of the Cost-of-Living Crisis

Commissioned by The Robertson Trust and authored by IPPR Scotland, with Professor Morag Treaner serving as project advisor, 'Debt and Arrears in Scotland: Putting Money Owed to Public Bodies at the Forefront of the Cost-of-Living Crisis' underlines how vulnerable many households are in the face of increasing costs and mounting debt. Crucially, it also shows that public debt is a significant factor in the financial worries many households are facing. The report contains specific recommendations for how households in arrears can be better supported as well as recommendations about broader reforms in the system.

The Robertson Trust at 60

This booklet tells the story of Scotland's largest independent grant-maker, The Robertson Trust: its formation in 1961 by three remarkable sisters, its core values and shifting funding priorities down the years, and its present strategic focus: to fund, support and champion those seeking solutions to poverty and trauma in Scotland. Published to mark the Trust's 60th year.

Issue 5 – Heart & Soul: from a community-led women’s space to a women-led community space

This is the fifth in a series of short thematic summaries in which we share what we have heard and learnt from the people that have taken part in our research into our Women’s Centre Programme.

Issue 1 – Introducing the Women’s Centre Programme

The Women’s Centre Programme has been developed to demonstrate how a gender-specific, community-led, multi-agency approach can support women to achieve positive outcomes at a community, individual, and agency level. Our first report is now available to view.