Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

15/04/2026

We’re pleased to confirm the candidates who will be taking part in our Election Hustings for the autistic community, hosted alongside our colleagues at National Autistic Society Scotland.

📅 Wednesday 15th April
⏰ 5pm – 7pm
📍 Clockwise, 77 Renfrew Street, Glasgow

The following parties will be represented:
Vonnie Sandlan, Scottish Labour Party
Jack Hall, Scottish Conservative
Tom Arthur, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Daniel Khan-O'Malley, Liberal Democrats
Sean O'Hagan, UK Reform Party
Iris Duane, Scottish Greens

The hustings will be chaired by journalist and broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions on four key themes:
Health and Social Care
Social Security
Education
Housing and Communities

Questions can be submitted in advance or asked on the night as part of the discussion.
🎟 Booking is essential as places are limited.
Please secure your place via the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/holyrood-elections-2026-autism-hustings-tickets-1984611529509?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ-vdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0dTRjQlQwbDEydjlTd1BRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt-xpKoAPMii--uAp70Y9MvbJgdN9XTBPX3k-7PWeba_t49khrmDGclF5ShE_aem_u5ahE4OQ_AQ0Xr-pkl4fIw

13/04/2026

Meet our team at one of our information and support events to learn about support services, grants and information available.

08/04/2026

💙 Calling Unpaid Carers in South Lanarkshire – Your Voice Matters 💙

South Lanarkshire Council recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting the people they care for. They know that caring can sometimes be stressful and challenging, and that carers need clear information, practical support and a chance to have their voices heard.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to making sure unpaid carers can access advice, guidance and support from an independent organisation. They also know that many carers want to help shape the services they use. Your views matter, and South Lanarkshire Council want to listen.

Carer support services in South Lanarkshire are currently delivered by Lanarkshire Carers. The current contract ends in 2027, and work is now starting to design the next contract. Before South Lanarkshire Council start the process, they want to hear directly from unpaid carers so the future service reflects what carers actually need.

South Lanarkshire Council would like to invite you to take part in a consultation session focused on what future Adult Carer Support and Services should look like- your input could help shape the new contract starting in 2027.

Session details
• Date: Friday 17 April 2026
• Time: 10am to 12.30pm
• Location: Council Headquarters, Hamilton
• Refreshments will be provided, parking is available and the building is fully accessible

If you would like to take part, please email gcilSouthLanarkshire@gcil.org.uk or call the office 01698 892 372 to register your interest. Places are limited, but South Lanarkshire Council are keen to hear from carers with a wide range of experiences. You do not need any previous experience of consultations to take part.

Call now to connect with business.

30/03/2026

Last Thursday, we welcomed members and partners to GCIL’s Biennial General Meeting, reflecting on the past two years and looking ahead to our future priorities.

We highlighted continued delivery of independent living support, growing influence through participation and policy work, and the evolution of our Equality Academy. We also marked our 30th anniversary, including our recent parliamentary reception and anniversary report.

We took time to remember those we have lost, including our former CEO Etienne d'Aboville, and Board members Alan Dick and Des McCaffrey, recognising their lasting contribution to GCIL and the wider disabled people’s movement.

We also marked the retirement of our Chair, Dr Jim Elder-Woodward, OBE, after 30 years of dedicated service to the organisation, with our sincere thanks for his leadership and commitment over three decades.

Our audited accounts show a stable position alongside increasing financial pressures, with a clear focus on sustainability and impact.

Looking ahead, we will build on new opportunities, including delivering the DPO Pilot with the Independent Living Fund and delivering a Disability Competence Programme for Scottish Government.

Pauline Boyce, CEO, said: “Over the past 30 years, GCIL has shown the power of disabled people leading change. As we look ahead, our focus is on building on that legacy, strengthening our impact, securing our sustainability, and ensuring lived experience continues to shape the systems that affect our lives.”

We thank everyone who continues to support our work and share our commitment to rights, equality and independent living.

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22/03/2026

GCIL Update for Personal Assistants

The Scottish Government confirms an annual pay uplift for Adult Social Care workers rising to £13.45/hour from April 2026.

This uplift recognises the vital work PAs do every day.

Plus: £20 million extra funding from the Scottish Government to support fair pay across Social Care and move towards the Real Living Wage.

Thank you, PAs — you are the heart of independent living.

22/03/2026

The Foundation Inclusive Communication Toolkit for Scotland is launching!

Developed in partnership by Disability Equality Scotland and Communication Inclusion People, alongside a wide network of organisations and public bodies.

This online resource will help public bodies make communication with public services easier for everyone.
Save the date: 24 March

Image description: Graphic promoting the Foundation Inclusive Communication Toolkit for Scotland, launching 24 March 2026. Includes a calendar icon showing March 24, icons of two standing people and a wheelchair user, and logos for Communication Inclusion People and Disability Equality Scotland.

17/03/2026

Calling all PA Employers AND Personal Assistants!
Whether you employ a PA, are looking to hire one, or you’re a PA yourself, your local Personal Assistants Network Scotland (PANS) group is a fantastic place for support, networking, and job opportunities. 💬🤝 👇

PAs, prospective PAs, Employers and Employer family members can join our local authority groups. You do not have to be a PANS Member.

How-to get connected:
✅Select your closest local authority via the links below
✅Join Group
✅Answer the two joining questions – we ask everyone to complete this to ensure the group stays relevant and to prevent spam.
✅You will be accepted shortly by one of our moderators

Ayrshire https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bhrtt2rX3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Moray https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CCvcumJaa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Glasgow https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GuBFY6YW9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Edinburgh (New) https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FYgJqNjPp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Dundee + Angus https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BqmVzcqj7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

South Lanarkshire https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GLfezCkzz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Shetland https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Aba6YW9dj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Forth Valley https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C7BADCCtV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Mull + Iona https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CEhGFH8M1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Aberdeenshire https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1QAYJ9kQ1i/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Highlands https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Fogx2UHHc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

East Dunbartonshire https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hr9g5e88M/?mibextid=wwXIfr

West Dunbartonshire https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CB6SNfAcd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fife https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D9QLuDP3q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Lochaber https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DbJdNtzKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

11/03/2026

Our Support Service in South Lanarkshire recently visited South Lanarkshire college to talk all things Personal Assistants. With our aim to share the importance of this role in the work we do, link below to the article shared with permission from South Lanarkshire Council.

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/view/news/article/2885/Students_show_enthusiasm_for_muchneeded_social_care_role

Image description: 6 people stood, 3 at each side, in front on two roller banners. These are for both GCIL South Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership. , and a mounted tv screen. It reads 'What are the job opportunities?'.

09/03/2026

Housing and accessibility can have a big impact on disabled people’s independence and daily life.

Housing is part of our Cost of Living 2026 survey series. This survey asks about your home, accessibility changes, and whether your housing meets your needs.

Your voice will help us influence decision-makers and improve housing and support for disabled people.

Easy Read versions of the survey are available.

Take part and share your views: https://disabilityequality.scot/news/cost-of-living-survey-2026

Please complete our cost of living surveys by Friday 13 March.

09/03/2026

🗳️Hustings Event for Women in Scotland

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Elections, The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) is hosting an in-person women-only hustings conference.

📍 Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow
🗓 Saturday 11th April | 11am–1pm

This public forum gives election candidates the opportunity to present their manifestos, outline their policies and answer your questions directly. It’s your chance to hear from candidates, raise the issues that matter to you and be part of meaningful democratic discussion.

🥗 A complimentary buffet lunch will be served.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation.

Reserve your free place today: https://bit.ly/4u7d60K

03/03/2026

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

27/02/2026

Our Policy & Participation Lead, Joanne McGee, recently attended Scotland's Disability Summit 2026 at The Scottish Government .

The event brought together disabled people, organisations and decision-makers, focusing on turning lived experience into action and shaping a more inclusive Scotland.

At GCIL, we are committed to keeping inclusion, accessibility and rights at the heart of everything we do.

Joanne is pictured here with Jeremy Balfour MSP and Alison Johnstone MSP.



Image description 1: Two women , Joanne McGee from GCIL and Alison Johnstone MSP, stood in front of screens that reads 'Scotland's Disability Summit. Thank you for joining us.'

2. Joanne McGee from GCIL and Jeremy Balfour MSP , stood side by side in front of a concrete pillar at Scotland's Disability Summit 2026.