Tag: rights

A poster with a white speech bubble in the middle which says in green text, National Advisory Forum. The background is a dark purple with light purple speech bubbles dotted throughout.

SDS Appoints 15 to National Advisory Forum

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is delighted to announce the 15-strong cohort that makes up SDS’ first ever National Advisory Forum.  

The National Advisory Forum at SDS consists of a dynamic group of individuals who bring real-world insight, experience and ideas to influence positive change throughout Scotland. 

SDS CEO, Gavin Macleod “Having the first ever National Advisory Forum is a huge step forward for Scottish Disability Sport. As laid out in the Call to Action (link) it is so  important that people with disabilities in Scotland are able to co-design, guide and inform the organisation in matters of strategy, policy and practice.” 

The purpose of the National Advisory Forum is to allow those with lived experience to advocate for inclusion and equality in sport and physical activity, advise on SDS policies and programmes that matter and inspire the next generation of athletes and participants. 

Forum member, Gemma Lumsdaine, said: “It is fantastic to have people with lived experience round the table influencing decision-making, policy and what the next steps are. Because you’ve experienced it and have a unique perspective it can provide real insight and unique perspectives along with supporting role modelling so that when individuals think about starting a journey in sport or physical activity, then they see people like themselves. Sports needs to show that it is a place for people with disabilities whether as coaches, volunteers, athletes and participants.” 

SDS is fully committed to being an organisation that co-designs with our athletes and participants to ensure the voice of those with lived experience is heard and directs the work of the organisation. 

Together, SDS and the National Advisory Forum can collaborate to create a sporting landscape where everyone belongs. 

“It feels important to be part of a space where lived experiences and practical insight can directly influence decisions and policy. 

“It is exciting to have the chance to collaborate with other people who share a similar passion but also to learn from their own experiences and perspectives”, said Jack Brodie, member of the Forum. 

 

2026 cohort of the SDS National Advisory Forum –  

  • Devin Adams 
  • Jim Anderson 
  • Jack Brodie 
  • Anna Craig 
  • Samantha Gough 
  • Steven Holgan 
  • Nigel Honey 
  • Logan Kidd 
  • Gemma Lumsdaine 
  • John Stuart McClelland 
  • Layla McCloskey 
  • Finlay Mears-Young 
  • Olivia Jane Roberston 
  • Karen Townson 
  • Rick Townson 

 

Find out more about the National Advisory Forum via this link, here: SDS National Advisory Forum.  

SDS’ strategic plan, which directs SDS’ work, can be found on the website at via this link: SDS Strategic Plan -. 

Alongside SDS’ four-point Call to Action which urges all of SDS’ stakeholders to engage in meaningful change to remove barriers to sport and physical activity. 

Action photo of Scott MyIntyre about to throw a red boccia ball. His competitor, Tyler McLelland, is in the background watching on.

Mapping Power and Access Following Scottish Election

Mapping Power and Access: Disability Sport, MSPs and the Routes to Engagement After the Scottish Election

By Mark Gaffney, Head of Policy at Scottish Disability Sport 

 

The post‑election landscape in Scotland is not just defined by which party holds power, but by how that power is distributed between constituency MSPs, regional MSPs, and parliamentary committees. For disabled people—particularly those engaged in or excluded from sport—understanding this architecture can be crucial. Influence does not sit in one place, and neither do opportunities for change.

This is especially true for disability sport, which cuts across portfolios: health, education, transport, local government, and social justice. Any serious effort to improve access and participation depends on how effectively these levers are used—and how well disabled people can engage with those holding them.

 

Constituency vs Regional MSPs: Different Roles, Different Levers

Scotland’s Additional Member System creates two types of MSPs with distinct but complementary roles:

  • Constituency MSPs are directly elected and often act as primary casework advocates (i.e. support offered if someone in their constituency needs support). They are typically the most visible and locally embedded representatives.
  • Regional MSPs are elected from party lists to ensure proportionality, often covering broader areas and multiple constituencies.

For disability sport, this distinction matters.

Constituency MSPs tend to be the most effective route for:

  • Raising local issues such as inaccessible leisure facilities, transport barriers to clubs, or funding decisions by councils
  • Supporting grassroots organisations clubs and campaigning alongside local organisations
  • Convening local stakeholders (health boards, councils, schools)

Regional MSPs, meanwhile, are often better placed to:

  • Bring recurring issues across multiple areas into parliamentary debate
  • Champion systemic change (e.g. national funding models, Active Scotland priorities)
  • Sit on committees shaping legislation and scrutinising government policy

Too often, engagement efforts focus only on constituency MSPs. A more strategic approach—particularly for disability sport organisations— will use both and remains the challenge for SDS and its member branches: localised evidence paired with regional amplification.

Scottish Disability Sport has launched a four-point Call to Action that calls on organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity. 

The four-point Call to Action follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.  

Key actions called for include:

  • Plan to Include
  • Deliver an inclusive whole system approach 
  • A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active 
  • Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach 

More information about the Call to Action, can be found via this link: https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BC-and-AGM-CTA-Presentation_PDF-for-Website.pdf 

View the key findings of the National Survey can be found via this link: https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SDS-National-Survey-Findings-CEO-Circulation.pdf.

Five young people at a swimming event. They are sitting pool side and wearing their club's red polo tops. The two people in the front are hold a sign that says, I support the Scottish Disability Sport's call to action to remove barriers to sport and physical activity.

Overview of the Scottish Election Results

Total MSPs: 129 (65 needed for majority). Result (seats):

  • SNP (Scottish National Party): 58
  • Labour: 17
  • Reform UK: 17
  • Scottish Greens: 15
  • Conservatives: 12
  • Liberal Democrats: 10

 Key takeaways

  •  SNP remains largest party but short of a majority.
  • Opposition is fragmented, with Labour and Reform tied second.
  • Conservatives saw a major decline, while Greens and Lib Dems made gains

Policy context: disability & social care

  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP): Scotland’s replacement for PIP, providing support for daily living and mobility needs regardless of income.
  • Designed to be less assessment‑heavy and more person‑centred than UK benefits.
  • Self‑Directed Support (SDS): enables people to control social care budgets (often linked to participation, including sport and community activities—highlighted in policy discussions with MSPs).
  • One of Scottish Disability Sport’s key asks within the Call to Action is for a consistency of approach in removing policy barriers to physical activity and sport using the devolved powers of Adult/ Child Disability Payments and Self-Directed Support

Notable impacts in elected members

Shortly after John Swinney was confirmed as the First Minister following the procedural voting he announced a slimmed down Cabinet. Some familiar faces returned and others were shuffled about a bit. Neil Gray moves from health to justice with Angela Constance taking on the health and care Cabinet post. Given Angela Constance’s background as a social worker and mental health officer there is an obvious route to engagement and a potential sympathetic ear to the plight of people with disabilities and the barriers to sport and physical activity they face through their benefits having overseen the development of Scotland’s devolved social security system.

Shirley-Anne Somerville retains her role with social justice and housing but Jenny Gilruth moves on from education to become the Deputy FM with a finance and local government oversight. Mairi McAllan continues her impressive rise by securing the education portfolio. With no obvious background in the sector it is set to be a baptism of fire for her given the rhetoric surrounding the SNP’s performance on improving education in their twenty-years in power. The pragmatic Ivan McKee is elevated to a Cabinet post with a view to potentially beginning to broach the oft-mentioned £5 billion shortfall annual spending gap.  

Sport retains an explicit reference in a junior ministerial position, as it was within the last Scottish Government and, as widely expected, the previous incumbent Maree Todd has been awarded this area again with a slightly wider portfolio of Minister for mental wellbeing, public health, sport, alcohol & drugs policy. Although missing out in her constituency, Maree was elected via the Regional list.

Another junior minister that will certainly hold a relevance to the areas of work are Simita Kumar who follows Kaukab Stewart as the Minister for Equalities. Kaukab was an ally for disability sport and SDS engaged strongly with her team through the implementation of the first phase of the Disability Equality Plan which resulted in a successful bid to the Improving Access Fund to support young people in accessing coaching and leadership opportunities in sport.

As we know, disability cuts across a number of portfolio areas so engagement with those mentioned above from a Scottish Government perspective will be key to securing positive outcomes related to the SDS Call to Action.  

A number of MSPs who were very pro-sport have left (either not standing again or not re-elected). The CEO of Bowls Scotland (and former Strategic Partnerships Manager for sportscotland) Malcom Dingwall-Smith astutely points out that five former MSPs who held responsibility for sport either at Cabinet or Junior level have departed – along with a number of others who championed sport (and often disability sport) in the chamber and on strategic committees.

Previously, two of the biggest supporters of disability rights were Jeremy Balfour – who moved from a Conservative to an Independent MSP towards the end of the last term – and Pam Duncan-Glancy – who was a Labour MSP for the majority of the last parliament before becoming an Independent in the final few months. Together, they often fought for disability rights and convened the Cross-Party Group on Disability. Both are disabled – Pam was the first permanent wheelchair user in the Scottish Parliament and a frontbencher – and were strong advocates of inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. Both Jeremy and Pam will not be represented in the Scottish Parliament in 2026.

The Scottish Green Party have made gains in representation and as the party with the most explicit referencing to disability within their manifesto, there are likely to be routes to engagement there.

 Useful Links: Election 2026 | Scottish Parliament Website

Flynn celebrates as he does some frame running

NHS Try Sport Sessions: Creating Opportunities throughout Tayside

By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.

 

Starting in 2019, Perth and Kinross Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), NHS Tayside and local clubs have been working in partnership to deliver NHS ‘Try Sport Sessions’ to individuals with physical disabilities that are not taking part in sport/physical activity or participants seeking new sporting opportunities.

Any of the participants that are attending these sessions, have been invited through NHS Physio Therapist referrals. This allows the organisers to tailor the sessions to participants’ needs.

Flynn (participant) has found the sessions to be incredibly impactful. His mum, Jenna, commented:

“It has been incredible to watch Flynn go through his journey with sport.

“Flynn recently joined Cubs and it was a bike ride one week but Flynn can’t ride a bike, so he took a frame runner. He was excited to tell everyone about it and show them what he could do.” Jane Dernie, a member of NHS Tayside’s Physio Therapy team, commented on how enjoyable the day is for all involved: “The physiotherapists in Tayside love our yearly Try Sport Session that is done in partnership with Disability Sports. It enables us to join in and have fun with the children we are involved with, it lets us see their abilities and it lets us introduce new children to the Disability Sports community.”

The sessions are held yearly at Perth UHI’s Academy of Sport and Wellbeing and provide no cost for participation, with approximately 15 participants attending.

Graeme Doig, SDS’s Regional Development Manager for Tayside, and Perth and Kinross Disability Sport’s (PKDS) branch coordinator, has been a driving force throughout the delivery of this initiative. Graeme believes that developing strong links throughout the region has been a considerable factor in the programme’s continued success.

“Partnership work with NHS Tayside, Scottish Disability Sport and PKDS is crucial, not just helpful, for creating our Try Sport sessions that are safe, inclusive, evidence-based and connected to the wider community sport pathway.

“It ensures the sessions meet participants’ real needs and have the support and reach required to succeed”, Graeme said.

This focus on partnership collaboration has resulted in local clubs attending the ‘Try Sport Sessions’ to support with delivery, providing participants with an opportunity to try a variety of activities. Furthermore, their involvement helps strengthen routes into continued involvement in sport and physical activity. These local clubs include Perth Strathtay Harriers, Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club, UHI Perth Climbing Centre, Salle Ossian Fencing Club, Perth Eagles Boccia Club, and Badminton Scotland.

These links into local clubs have been hugely beneficial, with participants grasping the opportunity to get involved following the ‘Try Sport Sessions’.

“I attend the Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club every week and Perth Strathtay Harriers for Frame Running. My favourite sport to participate in is Wheelchair Basketball”, Flynn said.

Jenna followed this up by adding: “As Flynn can’t run or jump we didn’t think sport would be an option for him. We were directed towards Graeme Doig and Flynn started to attend the Eagles on a weekly basis and he immediately loved it. He quickly made friends and we found ourselves involved in a wonderful community.”

Eilidh, another participant, has been enjoying the opportunity to get involved in sport. She said, “After the Try Sport Session I have found my strength grow due to joining the Perth Eagles and Lothian Phoenix.”

Involvement in the ‘Try Sport Sessions’ and linking in with local clubs has been hugely beneficial for the participants.

“My newfound strength has helped me in day-to-day life by giving me more stamina to perform daily tasks and enjoy extra curricular activities”, Eilidh explained.

Whereas for Flynn, the social opportunity provided through sport has benefited him. He said, “There are lots of different sports to take part in and you can choose which one. I also like being part of a team.”

Understanding the many benefits that sport and physical activities provide, is a further reason why the NHS Physio’s are advocates for the Try Sport Sessions. Jane said, “Learning how sports can be adapted, and enjoyed by the children we look after is important as it helps us direct them towards Disability Sports.”Jane went on to add: “We witness the physical and social benefits that children and their families gain from getting involved with Disability Sport weather it be participation or competitively.”

Seeing the long-term impact that the NHS ‘Try Sport Session’s’ have had on participants, reinforces the importance of continuing to provide inclusive opportunities. Graeme commented: “For coaches, physios and our partners, watching that growth isn’t just enjoyable—it’s a reminder of the impact inclusive sport has on wellbeing, confidence, and long-term participation.

“It reinforces why these sessions matter and motivates us all to continue improving and providing new opportunities.”

Lynne, Eilidh’s mum, agreed with this: “Without these sessions we would not be on this incredible journey, so I think they are really important to let people with disabilities find their own path.”

Along with providing participants with physical, social and psychological benefits, the programme offers a wide variety of sports which allows for participants to take that first step on the performance pathway. This has had a positive effect on Eilidh.

She said, “The biggest highlight is the introduction to many sports, and I found my passion for wheelchair basketball, which I have now represented my country at U14 level. It has also given me many new friendships and a newfound confidence.”

Eight-year-old Flynn’s aspirations are set. “Flynn says he will be a Paralympian in the future and it’s amazing to hear him have ambitions connected to sport”, Jenna commented.

 

If you are interested in finding out about opportunities to get involved in sport and physical activity in your region, you can reach out to your Regional Development Manager.

To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.