Annual Report 2025/26 - Delivery Plan Implementation and Next Steps

Compassionate Shetland

An orange outline of a large hand with a smaller hand laid across the palm.

Alongside this systems-focused work, Compassionate Shetland aims to reduce stigma and support people to fulfil their potential. It seeks to build a culture of empathy, compassion and understanding; raise awareness of how stigma affects people’s lives and access to support; and help staff recognise their own prejudices and judgements, listen effectively and connect people with appropriate support.

During 2025/26, activity focused on strengthening awareness across the Partnership and the wider community. Key developments included:

  • Supporting the Shetland Employability Partnership to address stigma experienced by people seeking work. “Untapped Workforce” workshops were held in Employability Week, attended by 19 local employers, showing positive feedback and interest in creating change.
  • Delivering a keynote address on stigma at the Shetland Community Justice Conference and contributing to preparations for the Second Chancers Exhibition at Mareel.
  • Awareness sessions for Elected Members on stigma in Shetland, including how it can affect decisions and Elected Members themselves. Similar sessions were delivered through the Shetland Partnership Network and the Public Protection Committee Development Day.
  • Developing community campaign resources, including a short film, social media and poster imagery, educational resources for schools and workplaces, and material to support online participation. These resources are in post-production and will be launched during 2026/27.

Next steps for both workstreams (Person-Centred Shetland and Compassionate Shetland), under the direction of the Fairer Futures Partnership, will include:

  • Delivery of strategic leadership workshops to support shared purpose, joint ownership of system priorities and agreed ways of working across organisations, helping to translate learning into practical action.
  • Implementing and expanding the Practitioner Learning Network, creating structured opportunities for practitioners to learn from real practice, surface shared system challenges and test small changes.
  • Strategic use of Scottish Government Fairer Futures funding (£62,750 confirmed for 2026/27) to remove practical barriers to participation, support partnership planning and deliver small tests of change.
  • Launching the Compassionate Shetland resources and messaging.

Related case studies: The Low Road and Wellness Bingo.