Thriving Futures Fund

Over the last three years, we have been on a journey to ensure we are reaching those people most impacted by financial insecurity, and embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into all our work.

This has led to us starting to openly challenge discrimination and inequity within our work, through the evaluation and redesign of our tools, resources and grant programmes.

It has also led to a stronger programmatic way of working, focusing on impact, and with the recognition that cash grants have an important role to play, but are most impactful alongside wider support. 

Thriving Futures Fund was designed over six months by the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust team, two design partners; Fresh Start and One Parent Families Scotland; and our Co-production panel of nine experts by experience.

This pilot will run from October 2024 – October 2027. Funding for the design and the first six months of delivery gratefully received from UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

We believe: 

• Thriving looks different for everyone. 
• People hold the key to their brighter future and must lead the way in creating it. 
• Freedom of choice and space to explore creates long lasting change for people and their communities. 

What are we hoping to achieve? 

This project is focused on achieving these outcomes: 

• People experiencing financial insecurity in Edinburgh gain access to strengths-based support to identify and pursue long-term goals and ambitions; focusing on what individuals and communities have and how they can work together, rather than on what individuals don’t have or can’t do. 
• Grants are delivered in a dignified, tailored, person-centred way. 
• We develop an understanding of what thriving means in an Edinburgh-specific context, and what level/s of support could be transformative.  
• Deeper partnerships with community organisations in Edinburgh. 
• More focus on long-term preventative measures, not just treating the symptoms of poverty. 
• Individuals gain full agency – shift from basic needs being met to longer term ambitions, goals and financial security. 

How is this fund being delivered?  

The fund provides up to £50,000 annually for three years to each of the selected partner organisations to allocate in grants to the people they support. For this pilot we are asking each partner organisation to identify at least 20-25 individuals that they will support through this fund every year.

This funding is intended to be flexible, allowing partners to disburse the money in ways that best meet the needs of their communities. To ensure both long-term support and adaptability, the funding is specifically aimed at organisations capable of providing support to individuals for a minimum of six months. The maximum length of support through TFF is three years. 

The Thriving Futures Fund is being delivered in collaboration with five partner organisations across Edinburgh. These partners are: 

• Enable Works (All in Edinburgh)
• Fresh Start (NESSie)
• Link Living Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service 
• One Parent Families Scotland 

We are also partnering with Capital Credit Union. When someone joins the TFF programme they will be given the opportunity to have a Capital Credit Union savings account opened for them in their name.

Money will be added to this account for every year that they are engaged with TFF.  The money is intended as a financial safety net to be used as needed.   

How we learn 

The TFF emphasises a shared learning approach, encouraging partner organisations to share experiences and best practices. We want the partners (and ourselves) to keep an open mind as to what financial security and thriving should look like and celebrate instances where unexpected outcomes lead to valuable insights or positive changes.  

This fund is not open to any other partners. 

For Existing Thriving Futures Fund Delivery Partners 

If you are a Thriving Futures Fund delivery partner, please click to access the TFF Portal (where you can register a new participant, request payments or make updates to existing plans).