Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

19/11/2025

Our Social Policy and Participation Lead Joanne is attending the National Care Service Forum today. Lot's of excellent ideas and minds looking at change within our social care sector.

19/11/2025

At GCIL, we understand the importance of staff wellbeing and building a workplace that supports every aspect of who we are.

Our wellbeing room offers a safe, calm and accessible space for all staff to recharge and utilise throughout the day.

Created by Laura & Brian, our Mental Health First Aiders, staff use it for those times where we need a bit of breathing space, privacy and to rest as well as for daily prayer.

It has dimmed light, aromatherapy, low book shelves, as well as resources for counselling, bereavement and mental health.

Staff are able to take time out to slow down and recharge, which has resulted in reduced stress, increased feeling of balance and overall wellbeing.

What are the ways you fill your cup in the workplace?



[Image description: A wooden table at the side of a dark sofa with a display of wellbeing resources on the table. There is a lit up diffuser, with steam coming out upwards. There is also a black water fountain as well as a salt lamp. All of it is in front of a dark blue/green wall.]

[Image description: In front of a white wall there is a wooden bookshelf that is pyramid like in shape. It has wellbeing resources on it, a elephant reed diffuser. There is two plants on each side of the display, the left hand is a mushroom shape and the other is spider like. Both are in light coloured pots. There is a floor seated lamp in a white coloured shade.]

[Image description: A wide shot of the wellbeing room. It has a dark blue/green feature wall, other walls are painted white. Sat in front of the feature wall is a dark sofa with wooden legs. There is two floor seated white lamps at each side of the sofa. There is a side table on the right hand side of the sofa, with resources and a water feature fountain. There are also two dark single chairs on the right hand side.]

14/11/2025

Say hello to Lola, the Australian Labradoodle.

Lola visits the GCIL office every Wednesday with her mum and our Head of Operations, Jenny Marshall. She likes to play with her toys and relax in her office space. Our staff love to spend time with Lola, who brings so much joy to the office.



[Image description: Lola, the Australian Labradoodle, has brown curly hair, curly ears. She is wearing a brown collar with a gold hoop. Lola is sat facing forward, with a blue textured background behind her. There is also a faded background of some wooden chairs.]

13/11/2025

Making content and information accessible is viewed as a nice thing to do. And it is.

But this World Kindness Day, we wanted to remind everyone that access to information is a human right. We shouldn't need to keep asking for it, or be grateful when things are made accessible. It is simply how it should be.

It's easy to make your social media content accessible. Get started right here: rnib.in/AccessibleSocialMediaGuide

[Image description: Text reads: "Access to information is not a kindness. It is a human right." The last sentence is highlighted in pink for emphasis, with a small scribble underneath.]

13/11/2025

Our questionnaire has 20-questions focusing on PA training, accessing support and what you know about us - your views and the data collected will be taken forward to the PA Programme Board to help shape changes to the workforce, and improve our service to PAs in Scotland.

This questionnaire is closed to PANS Members only, however if you are not a member, you can join for free and fill out the questionnaire as soon as your application is confirmed.

Members who complete the questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two £100 amazon vouchers - winners to be drawn on the 15th of December 2025!

Take the survey here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=a2gPIVYA40Ce2Ot4xtCuxwY3ABaHTapCtZe42B-puq5URVozMko0QVNENTg2VlJHTU1QT0VWM09LRi4u&route=shorturl

13/11/2025

Join us for an online workshop bringing to life the findings from the Disability and Youth Transitions Project

12/11/2025

11/11/2025

Our friends over at MS Society Scotland are looking for signatures for their open letter to the The Scottish Government calling for a fairer Adult Disability Payment (ADP) system for people with MS in Scotland.

They want to:
- Remove the 20 metre rule
- Improve the ADP assessment process
- Ensure dignity, fairness and respect are embedded in practice

Click their post to find out more information 📝💻

We’ve almost reached our goal!

Hundreds of people have already added their names to our open letter calling for a fairer Adult Disability Payment (ADP) system for people with MS in Scotland. But there’s still time to make your voice heard.

Together, we’re calling on the Scottish Government to:
🔸 Remove the 20 metre rule
🔸 Improve the ADP assessment process
🔸 Ensure dignity, fairness and respect are embedded in practice

If you haven’t signed yet, there’s still time to make a difference. ✍️

Add your name and help make the system fairer for everyone: https://buff.ly/AfjpIzV

10/11/2025

We will be hosting an online information event on Tuesday 11th November between 7pm-8pm to share more about our newest project, Voices at Work.

In order to lead the change towards fair and inclusive workplaces for disabled people, you must:

-Live within the Glasgow City council tax boundary

And:
-Be in paid work, or
-Have been working within the last 5 years but are not currently working

And, have one of the following:
-Visual and/or hearing impairment
-Epilepsy
-Multiple Sclerosis

Please send an email to Stacey.Highfield@gcil.org.uk in order to receive the link to join the session.

If you require any adjustments or additional support to join, please do let us know.

We can't to meet you all!

[Image description- Left side of image has a woman in a wheelchair at a desk with a computer and paperwork. Someone is handing her paper. On the right hand side, it has a yellow background for one fourth with a blue box overlay. This reads GCIL Voices at Work Information Event Tuesday 11th November. Online. Please send an email for the link to Stacey.Highfield@gcil.org.uk ]

06/11/2025

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Etienne d’Aboville, a pioneering figure in Scotland’s Independent Living Movement and GCIL’s first Chief Executive.

Etienne joined the newly established Centre for Independent Living in Glasgow in 1996 and became GCIL’s first CEO in 2004, leading the organisation until his retirement in 2021. Under his leadership, GCIL grew from a small grassroots initiative into Scotland’s largest Centre for Inclusive Living.

His influence reached far beyond GCIL — from helping to establish organisations such as Glasgow Disability Alliance, to championing the reopening of the Independent Living Fund in Scotland. Etienne’s voice was one of clarity, conviction, and compassion.

He will be remembered as a leader, mentor, and friend. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Susie, their family, and all who knew him.

Read our full tribute here: https://gcil.org.uk/in-memory-of-etienne-daboville-former-ceo-of-gcil-glasgow-centre-for-inclusive-living/

[Image description: Etienne d'Aboville, former CEO of GCIL, is sat smiling in his powerchair in front of two GCIL blue roller banners at the stairs of Scottish Governments Holyrood. He is wearing a striped top, with a grey jumper tied around his shoulders. He has dark hair, glasses on and a grey bag sitting at his waist.]

05/11/2025

Did you know that GCIL are on Instagram?

Head on over and say hello 👋

Our instagram handle is @ gcil_dpo



[Image description: a royal blue background with light blue house-like shapes. In the centre there is an image of the GCIL staff team at the 30th anniversary celebration at Scottish Government Holyrood. This photograph is within a polaroid like frame.]