Aberdeen homelessness partnership nominated for Scottish Charity Awards

The Aberdeen Task & Activation Partnership (ATAP), which includes Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen Foyer, Ask:Enact, Castlehill Housing Association, Grampian Housing Association, Hillcrest, Langstane Housing Association, Osprey Housing, Sanctuary Housing and Turning Point Scotland, has been named as a finalist for this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.

Launched in July 2025, ATAP brings together housing associations, third sector organisations and the local authority to prevent homelessness through early intervention. The partnership is grounded in lived experience insight, cash-first support, relational leadership and innovative technology that enables frontline workers to confidently ask and act on housing concerns.

Despite challenges including power dynamics and tight timescales, partners responded with honesty, adaptability and shared decision-making, “becoming a partnership, not just in name”.

ATAP has already supported 68 people to avoid homelessness, delivering faster, more sustainable outcomes alongside significant cultural and system change.

Donna Hutchison, CEO of Aberdeen Cyrenians, lead partner in the project, said: “ATAP demonstrates that homelessness prevention is most effective when treated as a shared system responsibility, underpinned by trust, lawful data sharing and a willingness to challenge assumptions about engagement.

“We’re delighted that this important work, contributing to national learning and system change has been recognised, and we look forward to the awards evening, celebrating the incredible impact being made across Scotland by ambitious change makers.”

Anna Fowlie, chief executive, SCVO, said: “Across Scotland and beyond, voluntary organisations are making an extraordinary difference, and the breadth and depth of their impact never fail to inspire. Our 2026 finalists epitomise this.

“Our voluntary sector is truly essential to Scottish society - we see the positive impact organisation and individuals make in communities across the country every single day.

“Best of luck to all of our finalists, and I look forward to celebrating with them in June as we highlight the phenomenal work each and every one of them contributes to.”

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 35 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.

A judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories following a rigorous shortlisting process.

Winners will be announced on 11 June 2026 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow.

The full shortlist for 2026 includes: 

Campaign of the Year
    • Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust - Don’t Neglect The Night
    • Victim Support Scotland - It’s the final chance of getting to the truth
    • Who Cares? Scotland - Action on Advocacy
    • Scottish Environment LINK - Scotland Loves Nature

Volunteer of the Year
    • Men Matter Scotland - Jim Cassidy
    • Govan Housing Association - David Wright
    • Midlothian Community Action – McKenzie Rayner
    • Fife Pride – Jenny Black

Climate Impact
    • Crail Community Partnership – Turning Crail into a sustainable community
    • Letham Climate Challenge
    • Magpie (Part of Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action)
    • Social Flock

Employee of the Year
    • The Killie Community – Scott Montgomery
    • Reach Lanarkshire Autism – Keith Manson
    • Mark Williams Foundation – Sarah Peacock
    • Grey Matters Active Ageing – Alison Gildea

Partnership of the Year
    • Care4Calais Scotland & Passion4Fusion – Saturday Football
    • Space at The Broomhouse Hub & the Edinburgh International Festival – Edinburgh International Festival in Space
    • The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth & 6VT – Time to Talk
    • ATAP: Aberdeen Task and Activation Partnership
    • Dogs for Good & Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Community Dog Stroke Support Partnership

Trustee of the Year
    • Bedrule Church Future – Alan Bailey
    • Glenurquhart Rural Community Association – Susan Griffin
    • Greener Kirkcaldy – Ian Stirton
    • Break the Silence – Elaine Crichton

Charity of the Year  <£100k 
    • Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club
    • Beyond Srebrenica
    • Edinburgh Garden Partners
    • Norinemindeyes Culture Connect

Charity of the Year £100K - £500K
    • Advocacy Western Isles
    • Isle of Luing Community Trust
    • Megan’s Space

Charity of the Year >£500k 
    • WithYou
    • The Big House SCIO
    • Amma Birth Companions