Our support
Three key areas where we know we can make a real impactRESEARCH
Fund research projects with partners Fraser Of Allander Institute, DTAS and ENABLE to ensure we deliver hard data, not guesswork.
Use the results to build a robust plan for change.

The Fraser of Allander Institute research programme, commissioned by Acorns to Trees has been looking into outcomes for working age people with learning disabilities in Scotland. In doing so, the Fraser Of Allander Institute has examined areas of support and opportunities for people with learning disabilities to find examples of what is working well, and what needs to improve in order to allow all to thrive.
The key objective of the programme has been to raise awareness amongst policy makers as to what can, and needs to, be done to drive change and in doing so has engaged widely with a range of people with learning disabilities, as well as their families and organisations that support them.

Scotland’s invisible people: Support and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities

Scotland’s Employment Landscape for People with Learning Disabilities

EVIDENCE ON SCOTLAND’S ADULT SOCIAL CARE SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
DTAS RESOURCE SUPPORT
Provide a mix of generic and more specific financial support to ensure DTAS and the Community Development Trust movement maintains momentum.


July, 2020
A grant of £44,926 (payable over 3 years) in July, 2020 towards creating a full time Membership & Engagement Officer.July, 2020
A grant of £2550 in July, 2020 to enable DTAS to research the nature and extent of development trust engagement with adults with learning disabilities.July, 2020
A grant of £15,000 in July 2020 to provide 3 year sponsorship of the DTAS annual conference (£5,000 per year).April, 2021
A grant of £3,439 in April, 2001 towards a DTAS Research Intern post.
A grant of £21,116 towards the creation of a dedicated Communications Office post within DTAS
A grant of £12,000 to enable DTAS to commission a series of 3-minute case study type films to help DTAS members tell their stories and experiences, around particular project areas.
August, 2021
A grant of £51,919 (payable over 4 years) in August 2021 to support DTAS expand and re-structure its Development Officer staffing resource in the North of Scotland.February, 2023
A grant of £50k per annum to Enable for two years to fund a Campaign Manager tasked with building solutions focused campaigns around our integration research finding.
He or she will also be tasked with and mobilising the learning disability community to make change happen , focussing initially on influencing the Scottish Government’s Bill of Rights and the resultant Commissioner for people who have a learning disability.

PROJECT SUPPORT
Provide support funding for particular projects which deliver a step change.

July, 2020
A grant of £25,600 to enable DTAS to waive the cost of annual membership fees for 2020/1July, 2020
A grant of £120,000 to provide financial support to development trusts through a DTAS administered ‘Green Shoots Recovery’ Fund.May, 2021
A grant of £28,500 to cover DTAS membership fee costs in 2021/2.May, 2021
A grant of £28,500 to cover DTAS membership fee costs in 2021/2.May, 2021
A grant of £19,000 which enables DTAS to subscribe for 2 years to Community Insights, and make this useful service available to members.May, 2021
A grant of £22,000 to support the conversion of 2 existing DTAS resources – ‘Cultivating Enterprise’ and ‘Management Accounts’ into bespoke training resources.July, 2021
A grant of £120,000 enabled DTAS to evolve the Recovery Fund into the Green Shoots Support Fund, which in addition to continuing to access expert help, provides easy-to-access grants of up to £10,000 to DTAS members.December, 2021
A grant of £89,822 (payable over 2 years) in December, 2021 to Bridgend Farmhouse to support the re-opening of their community café and a significant the expansion of their community growing activity.
February, 2023
A grant of £50k per annum to Enable for two years to fund a Campaign Manager tasked with building solutions focused campaigns around our integration research finding.
He or she will also be tasked with and mobilising the learning disability community to make change happen , focussing initially on influencing the Scottish Government’s Bill of Rights and the resultant Commissioner for people who have a learning disability.

February, 2023
A grant of £50k per annum to increase the capacity of the Scottish Community Alliance by creating a new Partnerships Manager post. This will enable the SCA to more effectively represent their member networks, and develop and support more effective collaboration and partnership arrangements between SCA member networks.